*.ISO file newbie questions using Windows 7 Service Pack 1

[robert213]

I am attempting to install Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

On another machine which has a DVD burner,
I downloaded the *.iso file at
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/de ... px?id=5842

I ran Roxio Creator, created a new project, loaded the *.iso file, and burnt a DVD disc.

When I inserted the DVD disc on my machine with Windows 7, using Windows Explorer, I expected to see some *.msi and *.exe files. (Actually, I was expecting it to autorun the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 install program). Instead, all I see is the *.iso file.

Do I need something like WinRAR or 7-Zip to extract those files from the *.iso file?

If not, what did I do wrong?

[Neil]

You probably burned the disc as a data disc. You will need to select "burn iso" from a menu somewhere (I don't use Roxio so can't help there) and then you will see all the files on the finished product. I like ImgBurn for burning iso discs.

[robert213]

You probably burned the disc as a data disc. You will need to select "burn iso" from a menu somewhere (I don't use Roxio so can't help there) and then you will see all the files on the finished product. I like ImgBurn for burning iso discs.

Yes, I did burn the DVD disc as a data disc. The machine was a Dell that came with a simplied version of Roxio (Creator Basic). I used one of the options under the "data" section. "Burn Image" is under the "copy" section.

I have a full-version of Roxio on another machine. It has "Burn from Disc Image file" option. Unfortunately, it is only CD-RW/DVD.

[loyukfai]

It seems that you just burnt the ISO to the disc.

Your other machine isn't running Windows 7...? Cause, AFAIK, if you double-click an ISO file under Win7, it will prompt you to write the disc to an optical drive.

You may also give this (http://www.imgburn.com/) a try. There are many free or semi-free programs like that out there.

One last thing, is there any particular reason you aren't using Windows Update to install SP1 directly...? Or download the .MSI or .EXE files intesad...?

Cheers.

[Radioguy]

Also, please keep in mind that several programs that can burn ISO's can also mount them.

Mounting an image as a drive will save you from having to waste a physical disc, and will be faster to read from.

If you extract an ISO to a folder, you can also use vSubst to mount the folder as a drive too.

[robert213]

Your other machine isn't running Windows 7...? Cause, AFAIK, if you double-click an ISO file under Win7, it will prompt you to write the disc to an optical drive.

One more reason to move out of my T30 running XP world and into a T61 running Win 7 world.

You may also give this (http://www.imgburn.com/) a try. There are many free or semi-free programs like that out there.

I am always interested in experimenting with free programs. For now, I'll stay with my free version of Roxio Creator Basic v9. I'll upgrade to my paid version of Roxio Creator Classic v10, if I ever need its advanced features.

One last thing, is there any particular reason you aren't using Windows Update to install SP1 directly...? Or download the .MSI or .EXE files intesad...?

I guess that I like to experiment with different ways of doing the same thing. Using Windows Update to install SP1 would be too easy (I wouldn't learn anything).

Already I've learned that there exist a couple of differences between the "download" *.iso file and the "download" *.MSI and *.EXE files. The *.iso file has a setup program which determines which of the 32bit, 64bit, or Itanium 64bit versions to install. The *.iso file does not have the *.msi files.

Another thing that I've learned. Windows 7 install disc, installs Microsoft drivers for all hardware devices (as far as I can tell, the Microsoft drivers have the same version as Intel drivers for Intel related hardware). Most of the drivers that were originally installed on my T61, matched the manufacturer (e.g. CXT for modem, Lenovo for monitor and smart card reader, Intel for network and USB controllers, and Analog Devices for sound card). I am expecting that Lenovo System Update will install the manufacturer's device drivers.

Also, please keep in mind that several programs that can burn ISO's can also mount them.

Mounting an image as a drive will save you from having to waste a physical disc, and will be faster to read from.

If you extract an ISO to a folder, you can also use vSubst to mount the folder as a drive too.

Mounting an *.iso file as a virtual drive? I have never heard of that. Another reason to move out of my T30 running XP world and into a T61 running Win 7 world.

[Radioguy]

Yup. You can do it in XP as well.

[robert213]

Yup. You can do it in XP as well.

I did not know that. I have been scanning File Hippo for the latest versions of utilities like...
ImgBurn 2.5.6.0
http://www.filehippo.com/download_imgburn/

File Hippo doesn't have virtual drive related software, so I never knew...
Searching for virtual drive software here...
http://www.download.com
http://download.cnet.com/1770-20_4-0.ht ... %3DWindows

Is this the "vSubst" that you are speaking of?
http://download.cnet.com/Visual-Subst/3 ... 98834.html

[http302]

I use ElbySoft's Virtual Clone Drive to mount my ISOs and BINs. Been using it since W2k, and it works great with Win7 as well. It can even mount BD disc images as well.

http://www.elby.ch/fun/software/index.html

Also, be careful downloading software from download.com, they have a nasty habit of repacking other developer's software with their own installers that install malware/spyware.

[Radioguy]

Is this the "vSubst" that you are speaking of?
http://download.cnet.com/Visual-Subst/3 ... 98834.html

Yep, but like the previous poster, I'd recommend against relying on cnet and download.com. Pop vSubst into Google, and the author's site will come up early.

Also, the most common iso apps that also mount are Alcohol, Nero, Daemon Tools, PowerISO, and MagicISO. Of course, those are all paid apps.

The following are free, as far as I can tell:

http://www.daemon-tools.cc/eng/products/dtLite <--Free for personal use version.
http://www.magiciso.com/tutorials/miso- ... erview.htm <--Free mounter from MagicISO.
http://www.slysoft.com/en/virtual-clonedrive.html
http://wincdemu.sysprogs.org/
http://www.pismotechnic.com/download/
http://www.phantombility.com/en/prod/ph ... /overview/
http://arainia.com/software/gizmo/overview.php?nID=4

[robert213]

Well, I've just learned that all *.iso files are not created equal.

I attempted to burn another *.iso file from different install program using Windows XP Pro SP3 running Roxio Creater Classic to a CD. The file size seemed much too small to waste on DVD. Instead of being able to view the file names, I received a README.TXT file which says:
"This disc contains a "UDF" file system and requires an operating system that supports the ISO-13346 "UDF" file system specification."

Under the administrator account in Windows XP Pro, I could attempt to mount a virtual drive using Roxio Easy Media Creator 10 Suite...
[Tools] | |[Load Disc Image] | [File] | [New Emulated Drive]
(o) Create a new drive and assign the following drive letter: "X"
[OK]

However, I do most of my work under my limited account in Windows XP Pro.

I may use WinRAR or 7-Zip to de-compress the *.ISO.

-- Edit --
WinRAR is no longer shareware. WinRAR 32-bit version 4.10 has a 40 day trial.
From my understanding, WinRAR continues to run after 40 day trial. It just starts to display a "nag" message to register and purchase the product.
-- Edit --

"Microsoft Virtual CD-ROM" is NOT compatible with Windows 7.

I am exploring the following options...
a) VMware Workstation or Microsoft Virtual PC

b) Virtual CloneDrive from Slysoft (free for home use)
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows- ... ows-vista/
http://www.slysoft.com/en/virtual-clonedrive.html
http://www.slysoft.com/en/download.html

Also...
http://www.elby.ch/fun/software/index.html

c) PowerISO ($29.95, Trial Version limited to 300MB files)
http://www.poweriso.com/index.htm

d) MagicISO (similar arrangement as PowerISO)
http://www.magiciso.com/download.htm

e) Free Daemon Tools Lite (free, version 4.35.5 or after)
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articl ... tools.html

f) NTWind Software's Visual Subst
http://www.ntwind.com/software/utilitie ... subst.html

Since NTWind Visual Subst doesn't require a formal program install, I'll give it a try...

[http302]

UDF means it needs to be burnt onto a DVD.

[jdrou]

WinRAR is no longer shareware. WinRAR 32-bit version 4.10 has a 40 day trial.
From my understanding, WinRAR continues to run after 40 day trial. It just starts to display a "nag" message to register and purchase the product.

I believe that is the way it has always worked (going back to v2.0 at least). Many people just refer to it as "free" because it doesn't disable after the trial period.

[Radioguy]

7-Zip can also extract .iso's and it's totally free.

http://www.7-zip.org