Davidx

Hi,
Can I copy installation files from a cd to a hard drive sub-folder in case I need to reinstall, so I can get rid of the original? This doesn't seem to work for diskettes, especially if there are multiple disks, even if I copy the files back to diskettes (yes, I still use some of these trusty little apps).

I've heard about ISO but don't know much about it. Must I create ISO copies on the hard drive for software diskettes and/or cds for them to work and is the answer so in every case?

What kind of software would I need?

Thanks for helping, David

OldGrayGary

Hi David


You shouldn't have any trouble copying the contents of a Windows 98 installation CD onto your hard drive, using nothing fancier than Windows Explorer. Just make sure to copy the whole thing into a folder with a unique name, so that you don't overwrite a folder with the same name: for example, create a folder called somthing like "Windows 98 Installation Files".

You'd only save an .iso image if you were intending to burn it to a CD/DVD as a bootable image.

Definitely keep both your original Windows 98 Installation CD (and perhaps make a backup CD for that as well) --- because if the hard drive dies and you've discarded your original CD, you won't have any usuable files to install.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

Jlp1928

Hi, Gary is right. The only part of the install disk for 98SE that you really need is the Win98 folder, but it wont hurt to copy it all. Just run the SETUP.EXE file in the Win98 folder or the root if you save it all.

Luck, Jim

Davidx

Thanks Gary & Jim

I was thinking of application installation CDs in general, as well as Win98.

If I could archive them in the same way, i.e. just copy them to a folder, then, assuming I back up the hard drive, I should be able to dispense with a few dozen pesky CDs - right?

OldGrayGary

Hi again

Well, for some software, you might be able to install OK from a folder on the hard drive. It all depends on the way the software vendor setup its installer. Some are coded in such a way that the install must be run from the CD. Some can start from many locations, so long as the installation folder has the necessary files. To be certain, you'd have to check on the support websites for your programs, or contact the vendor. Or simply keep the CDs around.

It's generally a good policy to hang onto installation CDs/DVDs: they certainly are handy in case programs need to be reinstalled [hard drives do die eventually]. It's also often true that the installation CDs can be used as "proof of prior version" for upgrades to newer versions of your favorite programs (the savings can be significant, frequently in the 50% range - and sometimes even more).

*Theoretically*, so long as you backup the CD images to a hard drive, and then backup the hard drive to a third storage location, you could then re-create the CDs (for those that require CDs) by burning the images back onto a CD-R or CD-RW. Some vendors do use some copy-protection schemes that make this a little risky, since the copy-protection can sometimes make a burned copy unusable for installation purposes. [If I remember from my reading correctly, one trick was for the installer to look for a certain amount of "garbage" at a particular location on the CD -- such "garbage" is often discarded by copying software as simply a defective area on a disk]. Never a dull moment in DRM.

If you decide to keep the installation CDs/DVDs after all, one way to save space is to store them all in an inexpensive CD/DVD 'wallet' - some will store 25 to 50 easily, and some of the wallets go on sale for as little as $5 [to get you into the store to buy things that cost much more :) ]

Best of luck
. . . Gary

andyenglish

This is all true. Let me take it a step further...
If you are archiving your installation disks, you must keep the original to prove 'Honorable Intent'. This is a pretty standard copyright law.
Also, you will come across installations (mostly games and operating systems) that just won't work without the original disk. Copying, renaming, and manipulating folders works sometimes and disk images work sometimes. For disk images, I use Nero and 'burnatonce'. When it comes to manipulating folders, just use your imagination.
Good luck!
-Andy

Davidx

Thanks to all

Looks like I'm either stuck with the originals or a major research project - so much for dreams of efficiency!

David