Why won't bootable CDs work?

[IceBreaker]

My guess is, the data that makes a CD bootable is at its beginning.

Therefore, the problem is probably due to the fact that the software used to make the dump does not handle reading of the CD's lead-in (which comprises pregap). Which explains why neither Nero, nor Alcohol, nor even BW can pull it off. CloneCD will most likely fail too.

This I suggest: make a full dump (inc. all subchannels) using Discdump. I've heard that this little FREEWARE jewel can read pregap, provided the reader can handle it (which is the case for your Litey 52246S). Then burn the image in RAW-DAO96 mode using any writing program.

To boot or not to boot, that is the question