Booting with windows xp CD

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Paddy wrote:
> Hi.
> I have made a backup copy of my windows xp CD. Now I have misplaced my
> original cd that came with the computer. I want to know if I can use the
> backup CD to boot up the computer whenever windows becomes unstable and
> destroyed by hackers?
>
>
>
>
> From the one and only
> Paddy
>
>

Yes, assuming it's an install CD and not a "recovery" disk. That's why
you made a backup, yes? And don't you think it would be easier to lock
your front door than to leave it wide open and wait for burglars and
vandals?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

In news:2ZXId.17741$IP6.5621@trnddc05,
Paddy <paddysiaw2@verizon.net> typed:

> I have made a backup copy of my windows xp CD. Now I have
> misplaced my
> original cd that came with the computer. I want to know if I
> can use
> the backup CD to boot up the computer


No, you can't use the backup CD to boot the computer, but you can
use it to reinstall Windows whenever you want to. That's the
purpose of making such a backup.


> whenever windows becomes
> unstable and destroyed by hackers?


If Windows becomes unstable and destroyed, don't blame it on
hackers, blame it on yourself for not taking the proper
precautions and not using the many forms of protection available
to you. Most of us don't have such problems.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

It really depends how you created the copy. If you did a Disk->Disk copy
with a copy program then the copy should be an exact duplicate or your
original including the boot files. It should behave just like the original.
Windows CDs are not copy protected so a simple Disk Copy can be accomplished
with nearly any third party copying program. However if you copied the
contents of the original to another CD using XP's built in burning software
then the disk will not be bootable.

You can test it easily by simply starting your computer with the CD in the
drive. You should see a message that says "press any key to boot CD....."
and have 5 seconds to press a key. If doing so boots the CD (providing your
BIOS is set to boot the CD-Rom) then you will likely be good to go.

In some cases a bad burn occurs and the disk is a dud. But most often copies
are as good as the original.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


"Paddy" <paddysiaw2@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:2ZXId.17741$IP6.5621@trnddc05...
> Hi.
> I have made a backup copy of my windows xp CD. Now I have misplaced my
> original cd that came with the computer. I want to know if I can use the
> backup CD to boot up the computer whenever windows becomes unstable and
> destroyed by hackers?
>
>
>
>
> From the one and only
> Paddy
>
>