ISO Files

[Julius F]

Hi all.

My first time here so i´m not sure where I should put this thread so I just try here.

I´m having a problem. I´ve installed windows server and Virtual PC Console to setup a new Virtual Machine.

I can setup the machine but not run it because I don´t have an ISO File.
When Im gonna start my VM I get a messages that says; Reboot and Select proper Boot device or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device.

This is my problem, I have no Idea how to create an ISO file so this will work, never done it and when I use google to try to find ISO file that I can download I don´t find a website that can take a nob like me through this.

I´ve found a threat in here and I´m not getting this. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/32055-bootable-iso-create-installation-files.html

Is there any way to make an ISO file that I dont have to burn or use USB?? I just want to have it on my desktop if possible.

I hope someone can take me through this step my step if possible.

Br,

Julius

 

[seavixen32]

Have a look at this article which describes how to mount the ISO as a virtual drive, which fools your computer into looking at the file as a physical drive that you can read files from.

How to extract the contents from an .ISO file without burning the .ISO to disc. - Office Deployment Support Team Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

 

[pparks1]

an ISO file is an image of a CD or DVD normally. So, if you had a Windows install disc that was bootable, you could put the CD drive into your computer, and use a CD Burning software such as IMGBURN to create an image of the disk. This would create an ISO file that you could keep on your computer. And software like virtual machine software can usually mount and run directly from ISO files, so you can install from this file on your hard drive rather than having a disc.

You can make an ISO file out of any collection of files...but if you want to use it to start the Windows installer, it needs to be the windows installer files and it would have to be bootable already. Just making an ISO does not magically make it bootable...it just creates an image file of what you previously had.

 

[Julius F]

Thanks for the response .

Gonna take a look at this and see if I understand this

 

[seavixen32]

You're very welcome.

Don't hesitate to post back if you need further help.

 

[Julius F]

Well I need to post back.
Is it possible to create an ISO File and use Virtual CloneDrive to "fool" my computer so I dont have to burn CD/DVD?

I´m so clueless in this and i´ts very frustrating.

 

[Infinite]

If you use WinRAR you can open the Drive and Double Click "setup.exe".

 

[Julius F]

Ok i´m still up against the wall in not understanding this.

Can anyone recommended a file I should use.

pparks1 says: You can make an ISO file out of any collection of files...but if you want to use it to start the Windows installer, it needs to be the windows installer files and it would have to be bootable already. Just making an ISO does not magically make it bootable...it just creates an image file of what you previously had.

I understand what you are saying but is there any site I can get windows installer which is bootable for free?

I´m getting a bit frustrated with my self because this is just one of those things I don´t get

 

[Infinite]

Use WinRAR, it can directly open ISO Files, and run the setup.

 

[strollin]

What OS are you trying to install in the VM?

 

[Julius F]

That is the problem I dont know anything about this and I need a complete idiot prove manual for this.

 

[cyclic]

Run VM player and select file from the top menu and choose create a new virtual machine from the right hand side.
The new virtual machine wizard will pop up from where you select to either use a CD/DVD drive where a disc is present or select the option to laod an ISO image, you can then browse to wherever the ISO image is and setup accordingly.
The image can be on your hard drive or USB, you don't have to burn a bootable DVD.

 

[strollin]

What is it that you are wanting to accomplish with the VM?

Typically, VMs are used to run other OSes (referred to as a Guest OS) in a virtual environment instead of requiring a physical machine. The physical machine/OS that you are using Virtual PC on is referred to as the Host.

Virtual PC supports the following Host OSes:

Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows 7 Enterprise
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Ultimate

and the following Guest OSes:

Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7

So it looks like Windows Server (which version do you have, 2008?) isn't a supported Host. That doesn't mean it won't work, it just means MS doesn't support it so if it doesn't work, you're on your own.

You may want to consider using VirtualBox or VMWare Player instead of Virtual PC since they support a wider list of both Host and Guest OSes.

Regardless, the first thing you need to determine before creating a VM is which Guest OS you want to install. You need to know this because you have to specify things like how much RAM and disk space to allot for the VM since different Guest OSes require different amounts of RAM/Disk space.

An ISO can be created very easily from the install CD/DVD of whatever guest OS you want to install. You could also use the physical disk in the drive to install from which means you don't need to create the ISO.

If you do have an ISO, you can use it directly, no need to mount it, you can tell VPC to use the ISO to install from directly.

 

[pparks1]

I understand what you are saying but is there any site I can get windows installer which is bootable for free?

Typically, you aren't able to download Windows 7 from Microsoft directly for free. (They have a free trial of Windows 7 Enterprise, but that's not what you are looking for).

However, there is a link from Digital River where they provide download links for Windows 7 versions. You just need to download the version for the KEY that you already have.
Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life. Remember, you already need to have a key to use the software, this isn't a pirated copy of Windows that is just free to download and use.


Once you get this ISO, you use any CD Burning application to burn the ISO file to a CD/DVD. With a virtual machine, you don't actually need to create the disc. Instead, you go into the properties of the VM, and set the CD drive to use an ISO file rather than a physical disc drive. From there, you simply bootup the VM and it should boot from the CD/DVD and you should begin the installation process.

 

[Julius F]

Strollin:

What I'm trying to accomplish is nothing special really apart from my interest in this. I just want to understand this as well as I want to learn the setup, creation and understanding behind virtual machines.
I work on Windows 2008 R2, Windows 2003 etc every day and I'm interested in understanding the servers I'm working on and what you are capable off on these servers.
Then I want to set up AD to get more knowledge there as well as I work with AD every day. I cant play with the systems I'm using since they are not something I'm allowed to play with.
Maybe this sounds really uninteresting but I'm very interested in these things. Why, I don't know .

Thank you for you're answer and thank you pparks1 and hopefully this will be helpful .

 

[strollin]

Virtual machines are an ideal way to "play" with different OSes. Have you been able to create a VM and install an OS yet? If not, what additional help do you need to get started?

 

[Julius F]

I havent been able to create or install anything. .

I need an idiot proof manual very every spelled for me, like feeding a baby.
If anyone has the time or interest it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[strollin]

Have you installed VPC yet? Do you have a DVD (and license) for the OS you want to install? You started this thread by asking how to create an ISO, which isn't necessary to do to set up a VM. It's a way of doing the install if you have an ISO but isn't a required step.

 

[pparks1]

Julius,

As strollin has stated, we need to know whether you have the ISO already downloaded or a DVD burned that you can install Windows 7 from as well as a valid license. The answer to that question dictates exactly what the next step will be.

 

[Julius F]

Hi.

What I've done is following:
Downloaded Microsoft virtual PC.

Everything else is deleted because I didn't get it to work.
I don't have an ISO file.
I don't have a DVD or license.
I don't have a burned DVD or downloaded W7.
I don't have VPC.

I have nothing.