How to Create a Bootable CD From a Bootable Floppy Disk

A leftover from the days of computers running on floppy disks are startup disks made on a floppy disk. Today, floppy disks are almost unheard of in the computer community. It is just as important these days to have a startup disk for your computer in case of disaster if you have a hard disk crash. You can convert the floppy startup disks to CD quickly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Download Nero CD Burning software or Ashampoo Burning Studio, which are both free downloads as freeware or as a trial version (see Resources below). Both of these packages offer to burn a CD bootable disk from a boot image of a floppy.

2. Install the burning software on your computer and start it running. Select the option that allows you to burn a CD from a boot image. In Nero 7 this is in the CD-ROM burning part of the program, while in Ashampoo Burning Studio it is in the "Expert Functions" area under "Create a Data CD Using 'Advanced Settings.'"

3. Select the CD-ROM (boot) option from the scroll-down list in Nero, or in Ashampoo check the box that makes the disk bootable. Specify the A drive as the source of the bootable image. Specify to use the 1.44 MB floppy emulation.

4. Switch to Nero Express once you make the settings. In Ashampoo, specify the disk image and proceed to the page that allows you to indicate which files you want to add to the image. It is always a good idea to add the most current version of whatever virus software you prefer to use with its most up-to-date virus file. Once you boot with the new CD, you will want to scan the computer for the presence of any viruses.

5. Proceed to the burn process and create your bootable CD. Try out the new CD by booting from the CD you just created to make sure it works.

Resources

• Ashampoo
• Nero