Tag: dvds

How to Use ISO Files in Windows XP

July 24, 2008 by Jason

If you are running XP, there is no standard support for files. These files however are quite common as an alternative to installation CDs or . An file is basically an image of a CD or . You can use CD to create a CD from the file.

But in many cases you might not want to write a or DVD from the file, you simply want to access the contents while the file resides on your hard disk. There are solutions available for this, which create a virtual CD or drive. You can then mount the file as a drive and access the contents of the file.

Most of these solutions however are commercial , which means you need to pay for them. If you do not need the fancy user interface, you can also use a virtual tool created by . Read More»

How to Create a Windows Vista DVD Installer from CDs

July 31, 2007 by Jason

I’ve recently had a bout of paranoia so I decided to back things up. And since one of the essential backup tools is having a dependable set of installers, I decided to assembly my backup case - a bag full the essential installers. That’s when it struck me that the copy of Windows Vista I had was in CD format, meaning I have 5 discs for the installer.

I hate having multiple disc installers. For one, it demands that you stay during the process to be able to swap discs. Tedious and time consuming. And, if one of the discs go bad, you’re screwed. So I decided to make me a DVD installer instead, consolidating all of the stuff in those 5 CDs. And with some Googling and experimentation, here’s how I made mine. Read More»

Disc Longevity

May 20, 2007 by Jason

How often do you use CDs and ? Maybe you use them to burn music CDs or perhaps you use to copy your favorite movies. I’m sure some of you use them to back up all the data on your too, right? No matter what you use them for, have you ever thought about how long they’ll actually last? I mean, they can’t last forever, can they? Well, keep reading to find out!
Over the years, there has been a lot of discussion on just how long CDs and actually last. It’s gone from 100 years to 40 years and so on, all from the time they were first invented to when they became more popular to , etc. This also varied once new uses for them came about ( and back ups, for example). So, in this day and age, with all the new technology that keeps coming out, what do you think the final say is on the of these discs? Read More»

Clean Install Windows Vista With Upgrade DVDs

February 17, 2007 by Jason

Traditionally, you are required to have a previous installation of before you can upgrade, e.g. have XP on your system before using Vista Upgrade .
What if you have ALREADY upgraded to Vista but are having system issues that require formating and re-installing ? Paul Thurrot proposed this hack that lets you install a Vista Upgrade, without needing to re-install XP first:
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Windows Vista: An FAQ for Nonprofits

February 10, 2007 by Jason

Vista, ’s first new major (OS) since the launch of the XP line in 2001, is due to hit stores on January 30. Vista’s launch has already generated some questions about upgrading, new features, tech support, and whether now is a good time to migrate your computers to this new OS.

To help you make an informed decision about Vista, we’ve answered a of questions that we think will be most concerned with. You may even want to use our answers to assess the potential pros and cons of upgrading to Vista at your .

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Playing DVDs in Windows XP

February 03, 2007 by Jason

about how Media Player plays . But that’s a lie. XP can’t play right out of the box. See, even though you’ve bought a XP , a drive, and a , you need something else: special called a decoder. This bit of , called a because it converts one format to another, enables your to translate numbers on a disc into videos of galloping horses on the screen.

Unfortunately, XP doesn’t come with a , so you must pick up one somewhere else. Where? Well, most computers with drives come with -playing — a little box with its own little controls. That installs its own in , and Media Player simply borrows that. But if you don’t have -playing , there’s nothing to borrow, and Media Player ignores your .
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