How to Use DD to Make an ISO Image

DD is a Unix and Linux utility that creates a byte for byte copy of a hard disk, CD or DVD. An ISO image is an archive copy of a CD or DVD. The dd utility can be used to create an ISO image of a CD or DVD. The ISO image will be an exact copy of the CD or DVD. Once created, the ISO image can be stored as a file on a hard drive. It can also be burned to a recordable CD or DVD.

Instructions

1. Place the CD or DVD you want to copy in the computer's CD drive.

2. Open a terminal window.

3. Type the command "su" to switch to the root user.

4. Type the command "umount /mnt/cdrom" to unmount the CD or DVD. Replace "/mnt/cdrom" with the correct location for the CD or DVD.

5. Type the command "dd if=/dev/cdrom of=file.iso" to create the ISO file. Replace "/dev/cdrom" with the correct device name for the CD or DVD drive. Replace "file.iso" with the correct name of the file.

References

• Digital Sanctum: How to Make an ISO Image Using DD