What are ISO image files and how do I use them?
Many products are posted as ISO-9660 image files. An ISO-9660 image file is an exact representation of a CD or DVD, including the content and the logical format. The most common use of an image file is to write it to a blank CD-R or DVD-R, resulting in an identical copy of the original disc including file name and volume label information. ISO image files may also be opened and their contents copied to a local folder, much like ZIP files. ISO files may also be virtually mounted and accessed as a device. These three methods of using ISO images are described below. Note: you may have to rename the file extension from .IMG or .UDF to .ISO, depending on your software.
Many products are posted as ISO-9660 image files. An ISO-9660 image file is an exact representation of a CD or DVD, including the content and the logical format. The most common use of an image file is to write it to a blank CD-R or DVD-R, resulting in an identical copy of the original disc including file names, directories, and volume label information. ISO image files may also be opened and their contents copied to a local directory, much like ZIP files. ISO files may also be virtually mounted and accessed as a device. These three methods of using ISO images are described below. Note: you may have to rename the file extension from .IMG or .UDF to .ISO, depending on your software. Writing ISO files to CD-R or DVD-R • Most CD-R/DVD-R writing software includes a feature to create a disc from an image file. Note: you must use the special “copy image to CD” or “burn image” functionality. See your software’s Help for detailed information. • The Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit includes the
An ISO image file is a snapshot of the data and layout of a CD or DVD, saved in ISO-9660 format. ISO image files are widely used for storing CD content. ISO is a common CD image format for DOS, Windows (Joliet ISO extension), Linux (RockRidge ISO extension), and other operating systems. The most common use of an image file is to write it to a blank CD-R or DVD-R, resulting in an identical copy of the original disc including file name and volume label information. ISO image files may also be opened and their contents copied to a local folder, much like ZIP files. ISO files may also be virtually mounted and accessed as a device. Most CD-R writing software includes a feature to create a CD from an image file. You cannot copy the .ISO file to the CD-R/CD-RW, you need to have or to install a third party utility that “burns an image to disk”, for example: • Active@ ISO Burner (Freeware) • Roxio CD Creator • Nero • ISO Recorder Power Toy (Freeware) The applications will have an option called
I recently stopped burning ISO’s to CD, and in fact converted all the CD’s and DVD’s I use to ISOs. I then dump them onto a 250GB USB drive — it’s a lot easier than trying to keep track of shoeboxes full of disks. I back up the USB drive to other USB drive(s) periodically for on-site and off-site backup. At approx. $80 for 250GB, these are cheap backups.
A. Many products are posted as ISO-9660 image files. An ISO-9660 image file is an exact representation of a CD or DVD, including the content and the logical format. The most common use of an image file is to write it to a blank CD-R or DVD-R, resulting in an identical copy of the original disc including file name and volume label information. ISO image files may also be opened and their contents copied to a local folder, much like ZIP files. ISO files may also be virtually mounted and accessed as a device. These three methods of using ISO images are described below. Note: You may have to rename the file extension from .IMG or .UDF to .ISO, depending on your software.
