Make a Bootable Disk in Vista

[ha14]

Hi

The Vista distribution DVDs are not copy-protected. The Vista Ultimate DVD, which accounted for about 30% of retail, can install all the lesser versions, too.

Not all burning applications do a great job copying bootable DVDs. You need one that can do a “sector-by-sector” copy. If you have two DVD burners, you can do a drive to drive copy.

Or use freeware ImgBurn.

1-----Copy a REAL Vista DVD
1)So the first step is to beg or borrow a real Vista DVD
2)First, insert the Vista DVD and dismiss the auto-play message if it comes up. Then start ImgBurn and click “Create image file from disc.” The default will be to write the image to the root folder of the C: drive. Select your DVD drive and click the start/burn graphic in the bottom of the application window.
3)This will write an image file (.iso) to the root of your C: drive.
4)When ImgBurn finishes, close it. Remove the Vista disc and put a blank DVD-R in the drive. Click on "Computer" on your desktop and then on your C: drive. Click to sort by size and then right-click your .iso file. Select “Burn using ImgBurn.” ImgBurn will then restart and create a copy of the Vista DVD.
5)

2-----Make a recovery disc using something that Microsoft left out
When Vista Service Pack 1 was in the beta phase, Microsoft included a small software utility called “recdisc.exe” that could create a bootable Vista DVD and mount a recovery environment.

Since Microsoft declined to release this utility, I can’t give you a link pointing to it. However, if you’ll do a Google search for

recdisc.exe

you’ll find some download links for it. Recdisc.exe seems to be “hard-wired” into the System32 folder. It won’t work if you download it to your desktop and simply double-click it there. Vista will ask for your permission and then . . . nothing happens.

Instead you’ll need to copy it to the System32 folder, beware of windows vista resistance whe you try to copy something to system32 files! and you’ll need to overcome the resistance!


Here’s what’s involved.

1. Start at “Computer” and navigate to C:/Windows/System32.

2. Locate the recdisc.exe program (or type “recdisc” in the search box to find it rapidly).

3. Right-click the icon and select “Properties.”

4. Click the “Security” tab.

5. Click the “Advanced” button. This will open the “Advanced Security Settings” dialog.

6. Click the “Owner” tab.

7. Click the “Edit” button. This will open another dialog labeled “Advanced Security Settings.”(Click through Vista’s asking permission if it occurs.)

8. Select your user name by highlighting it.

9. Click OK to take ownership of the file.

10. Back in the second dialog, click on the “Permissions” tab.

11. Look at your user name. Does it say “Full Control” under the Permission column? If it does, stop here.

12. If it does not, click your user-name and then click the “Edit” button.

13. To the right, click the “Full control” check-box under the “Allow column.”

14. Click OK, and the dialog should now show that you have “Full control” over the file.

15. Click OK until you close all the dialogs.

Now you can delete this file, copy it, move it, or do whatever you want with it. My suggestion is that you right-click it and rename it to recdisc.exe.save and leave it in the System32 folder. This is just in case Microsoft really is planning to use it in an update someday.

Now you’re ready to drag ‘n drop the recdisc.exe file that you found on the Internet into your System32 folder.

This is optional, but while you’re there, you might want to right-click the new recdisc.exe file and select “Send to Desktop.” This will create a shortcut on your desktop giving you ready access to the program.

To use it, simply double-click the icon to run the program. Have your Vista disc handy because it will soon ask for it.

3-----Download and burn NeoSmart’s Vista bootable CD image
NeoSmart Technologies have created a set of Windows Vista Recovery CD image files. They are about 120 MB and are “out there on the torrents.” To access your completed file, right-click the line that shows the download and select “Open containing folder.” This is most likely to be /User/you/Downloads if you did not change any settings. Then find the .iso file.

Put a CD-R in your CD or DVD burner, right-click the .iso file, and select "Burn using ImgBurn." (A download link for ImgBurn is in the first section.)

[kavinraja]

Thanks a lot ha14.. This is the thing which i look for...once i got an original vista dvd from my friend and try to copy it using nero startsmart..but after i created the cd autoplays but not booting...
I think this method can solve the problem.. Thank you...

[ding-dong]

thanks for this tutorial! really informative.

[ha14]

If you succeed with this method then just report to encourage others!

[luffy]

Thanks bro.