computer tool query

[Sweno]

Hey group, I've been trying to figure something out, and haven't been able to. So I turn to you for help.
I have a CD iso file for my computer recovery tools. But I don't have any free blank CDs.
So I want to put it on a USB drive, and boot from that, but I haven't found any tools which will allow me to do.
Is this even possible?
-Terry
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"so listen up boy, or pornography starring your mother will be the second worst thing to happen to you today"
TF2: Spy

[Ankhani]

I dunno. I know that there's a thing that can put a Linux .iso onto a USB, but that's specifically for Linux. The code and resources use are available though, so lacking any better option you might be able to see how to do it. I find it hard to believe that it would be easier than going out and getting a small stack of CDs though.

If you're interested:

Source Code: http://www.pendrivelinux.com/downloads/ ... nstallers/
Tools Used:
* Grub4DOS grldr ©2010, the Gna! people http://www.gnu.org/software/grub (unmodified binary used) : Specific Grub4DOS link: http://gna.org/projects/grub4dos/
* Syslinux ©2010 H. Peter Anvin http://syslinux.zytor.com (unmodified binary used)
* DD for Windows dd.exe ©2010 John Newbigin http://www.chrysocome.net/dd (unmodified binary used)
* mke2fs.exe ©2010 Matt WU http://ext2fsd.sourceforge.net (unmodified binary used)
* 7-Zip is ©2010 Igor Pavlovis http://7-zip.org (unmodified binaries were used)
* Fat32format.exe ©2010 Tom Thornhill Ridgecorp Consultants http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk (unmodified binary used)

NSIS Installer ©1995-2010 Contributors http://nsis.sourceforge.net (used to compile the MultiBootISOs.nsi script)
NSIS is the easiest method I could find to automate the creation process, aside from batch installers which we have moved away from.

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The Master said: "It is all in vain! I have never yet seen a man who can perceive his own faults and bring the charge home against himself."

>Analects: Book V, Chaper XXVI

[nemonowan]

Here is a way to do just that for a similar utility, Hiren's Boot CD: http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd-on-usb-disk . I can vouch it works.
You would still need some software to open the iso file and extract the content to the USB stick, tough.

[Bluemage]

Could probably use the same techniques it takes to turn a Win7 boot disc into a USB stick.  Can't guarantee it'll work, but if it doesn't, a good reformat will undo everything I'm suggesting.
Diskpart, select disk, clean it, make a primary partition, select the partition, mark it as active, format it, assign it a disk letter.  Then just xcopy everything on the disk to the USB drive.
http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-insta ... ing-guide/(Exact commands here.)

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My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Brother Atom Bomb of Courteous Debate. Get yours.

I've been writing a bit.

[Sweno]

Thanks everyone, I'll try a few of these out and see if I can get it working.

Edit-
And I figured out what the problem was:
The boot menu for my motherboard (gigabyte) is obtuse to the point of confusion.

There were several usb options (USB-HDD, USB-FDD, USB-something else, and a 4th I can't be bothered to remember right now)
In addition to that, there was HDD with a + in front of it (which I THOUGHT was to symbolize the default option*), as well as the standard CD, etc.
I spent far to long trying different permutations of usb ports on the front of the machine, with various usb selections in the boot menu. None of them worked.

What I was supposed to do, was select HDD (the plus denoted there were several sub-options). And then select the USB drive from within that.
Makes no sense! *grumble grumble*

* there was plenty of room on the screen to give some sort of hint about what it might mean, but noooo, that would be helpful >.
-Terry
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"so listen up boy, or pornography starring your mother will be the second worst thing to happen to you today"
TF2: Spy