Creating Bootable CD

A bootable CD is used to bypass any OS installed on the PC and instead run the OS from the CD. Once started, you can use the OS and any of the software that is included. On this page I will be concentrating on how to create bootable CDs that includes software to fix problems on a PC running Windows.

For Linux bootable CDs see this web page.

Contents:

Making PC boot from the CD

A PC can boot from a CD if it's BIOS supports it. You can try looking into you PC's manual for any instructions on how to set this up. You can also just try starting your PC with a bootable CD to see if it is already configured for it. Some PC's during the startup have a key that can be pressed to choose a boot device.

Older PC's will need to be configured through their BIOS setup. When starting a PC, look for the word setup and the assigned key that would enable you to enter the BIOS setup. Just press the key during the setup before the Operating Systems starts. While in the BIOS setup, the boot sequence needs to be changed to have the CDROM checked first. Be careful you don't change anything else in the BIOS. Save the changes and reboot.

If the PC is unable to boot from a CD, it is possible to boot the PC from a diskette which in turns boots up from the CDROM. This site provides instructions on how to set this up. So far I have not needed to use it.

Burning CD Software

BurnCDCC is a Freeware utility used to burn an ISO file onto a CD or DVD disk. The instructions on this page specifically reference this tool for burning CD. Other ISO burning utilities can be used instead of this tool.

Using BurnCDCC
  • Download the BurnCDCC software
  • Unzip it
  • Click on the BURNCDCC.EXE
  • Select the ISO image
  • Insert blank CD

Ultimate Boot CD (UBCD)

Ultimate Boot CD (UBCD) was the first popular free bootable diagnostics CD. This CD uses a DOS based interface along with a menu to execute the tools. It provides some instructions on using the tools but you should read up on them to familiarize yourself to there capabilities. After using a tool you will need to boot the PC again in order to select a different tool.

So far this bootable CD has been the easiest to make. It is even possible add additional tools. Just follow the customization instructions.

How I created a UBCD CD
  1. Setup PC to Boot from a CD
  2. UBCD can be downloaded from multiple sites.
  3. Download the Zip file because it is smallest in size
  4. Scan the file for virus. Always scan downloads.
  5. Extract the ISO image
  6. UBCD does provide instructions for using a variety of software to burn the CD
  7. I used BurnCDCC to burn the image onto a CD
    • Download the BurnCDCC software
    • Unzip it
    • Click on the BURNCDCC.EXE
    • Select the ISO image
    • Insert blank CD
  8. Test the CD by rebooting the PC with the CD in it.
  9. If it works, you will get a blue menu of available software.
  10. Additional instructions for the tools are provided when they are selected. I recommend reading up on them before using them. Some of them can destroy a PC's setup. UBCD has a list of linked tool sites to help out.
  11. Remember you are using these tools at you own risk.

UBCD for Windows (UBCD4Win)

Ultimate Boot CD for Windows was created as Windows version of the UBCD. It includes an extensive complement of tools that run under Windows XP. Before you create this CD, you need a Windows XP CD with at least SP1. SP2 is recommended. There is a technique called slipstream that can be used to combine SP2 with the Windows XP image. For additional help, visit UBCD4Win's forum.

I've successfully created this CD with and without slipsteaming SP2 using a Gateway OEM Windows XP Home Edition with SP1. It can be a little tricky because plugins need to be enabled/disabled.

How I Created a UBCD for Windows CD

  1. Copy Windows XP CD to c:\BootCD\WinXP_CD
    1. Make sure the folder option (show hidden files and folders) is checked and (hide protected operating system files) is unchecked
    2. If space is limited, just copy the home directory and i386 directory
  2. Download Windows XP Service Pack 2 Network Installation Package to c:\BootCD\WinXP_SP2
  3. Optional SP2 can be slipstream into these files
    1. To accomplish this, follow the Gateway OEM Windows XPCD Slipstream instructions
    2. Copy the following files from c:\BootCD\WinXP_SP2\i386 to c:\BootCD\WinXP_CD\i386
    3. These files are required by Bart PE when building the ISO
      1. ATAPI.SY_
      2. HALAACPI.DL_
      3. HALACPI.DL_
      4. PCIIDEX.SY_
      5. SCSIPORT.SY_
      6. USBCCGP.SY_
      7. USBEHCI.SY_
      8. USBHUB.SY_
      9. USBOHCI.SY_
      10. USBPORT.SY_
      11. USBUHCI.SY_
  4. Download UBCD4Win
    • I downloaded the latest version from SecurityWonks.net
  5. After downloading, run a virus scanner against it
  6. Run the executable to install it in C:\UBCD4Win
  7. During the install verify the MD5 of the UBCD4Win.EXE
  8. Click Yes to check for updates
  9. Startup UBCD4Win
    • The purpose of this program is to create an ISO image that is a combination of the Windows XP CD and the software that comes with UBCD4Win
    • It can also be used to slipstream and burn a CD
  10. Specify the the source field as c:\BootCD\WinXP_CD
  11. Leave Output field at BartPE
  12. Make sure Create ISO Image: Is Clicked.
    The file should be C:\UBCD4Win\UBCD4WinBuilder.iso
  13. Press F4 to Set Plugins
    1. If using SP1
      • Disable- !Critical: DComLaunch Service, it is only to be used when building with SP2.
      • Enable- !Critical: LargeIDE Fix (KB331958), this hotfix is needed for SP1 or you could have hard drive corruption.
    2. If the file i386\ATAPI.SY_ is missing. My Gateway OEM SP1 CD is missing it.
      • Disable the "!Multiboot: Windows" RecoveryConsole(7.69mb)"plugin
  14. Click Build
    • I always get this warning
      Warning: building from an OEM version of Windows can mean trouble.
  15. When completed use << and>> to review errors and warnings
    1. For errors about missing system files you have two options
      1. Slipstream SP2 if you have not already done so and then copy the missing files to the corresponding directory.
      2. Disable the plugin. For help in identifying the plugin search the UBCD4Win Forum.
    2. Try the build again and hopefully it works
    3. The following warnings do not seem to cause any problems
      Warning:creating file system that does not conform to ISO-9660.
      Warning: Creating ISO-9660:1999 (version 2) file system.
      Warning: ISO-9660 filenames longer than 31 may cause buffer overflows in the OS.
  16. Click Close and then exit
  17. Burn ISO image to CD using BurnCDCC
    • I've tried Bert E's StarBurn and it did not work but CD-Record did work
  18. Test the CD by rebooting the PC with the CD in it
  19. If it works you will get a Bart PE's desktop.
  20. The desktop used is very similar to Windows XP Desktop. All the software is available through the start programs. A help system is available that provides instructions on using the software. For additional help visit UBCD for Windows Contents web page. So far the software I've tried have had no trouble.
  21. UBCD4Win provides instructions for customizing the installation.

Bart's PE

Bart's PE can be used to create a custom bootable Windows CD. It comes with its own default set of plug-ins. I am unsure of the differences between Bart's PE and UBCD for Windows. I have both on CD's in case one does not work. Before installing Bart PE, UBCD4Win needs to be uninstalled because two versions of Bart PE on the same PC causes confusion.

Using Bart PE
  1. Uninstall UBCD for Windows if on the PC
    • Two copies of Bart PE on the PC can cause problems in using it
  2. Download Bart's PE
  3. Scanned the downloaded file for virus. Always scan downloads.
  4. Install Bart PE
  5. Follow the same directions for using UBCD for Windows except use Bart PE instead of UBCD for windows
  6. Test the CD by rebooting the PC with CD in it

Additional Tools to Create Bootable CDs

  • UBCD4Win site has a nice set of tools that help with creating ISO images
  • XP-ISO-Builder is an excellent tool that may be able to help you if you are one of the unfortunate people that do not have a "true" XP CD. If you have a repair or recovery CD, this software may be able to help you create an XP CD that you can use to create UBCD4Win.
  • Bootdisk.com - has an extensive collecting of bootable images.

CD Mounting Tools

  • Virtual CD Control Panel- Small and free tool from Microsoft for mounting ISO images. Its suppose to be used for testing ISO images without having to burn them to a disc. Please read the documentation provided in the download for instructions on it's use. I have not used it.
  • DAEMONTools- The FREE Virtual CD/DVD-ROM-EMULATOR. Suppose to work with nearly all common image types. Emulates nearly all known protections. I am not sure how free it is so I have not used it yet.

Other great FREE Tools

  • ParagonHard Disk Manager 8.0 - link to a FREE copy of an older version of their software. I hear a plugin for UBCD4Win is coming soon. I have not used it.
  • WinBuilder is like BartPE. I have not used it.
  • Reatogo-X-PE Boot CD - seems to be different version of the BART PE. The installation was rather elaborate so I did not proceed with it. I have not used it.
  • BCD- Build CD-Rom -  2.7 MB. It is no longer being developed but is still available free as is.
  • Bart'sway to create bootable CD-Roms (for Windows/Dos)
    Great step by step instructions for creating bootable CDs for different versions of Window OS and DOS.
  • Linux LiveCD's are another type of bootable CD that are more intended to run Linux than fix a PC.

Last Updated:Saturday, 19-Apr-2008 20:33:53 CEST