Member Avatar for A Monkeys Uncle

Can anyone explain this to me, and can ISO's be installed on my computer or do they have to be installed on a CD R?

Don't laugh :evil:

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An ISO is a single-file "disc image" that reproduces an optical disc’s layout and contents (file system, file order and — if present — the boot sector). It’s a container, not an installer: you use the files inside the image to run or install software. Modern images can be plain ISO‑9660, UDF, or hybrid layouts (so the same image can work on different OSes and be bootable).

There are four common ways to use an ISO: mount it so the OS sees a virtual disc, extract its files to a folder, write (burn) it to physical media, or attach it to a virtual machine. Current desktop systems can mount images without extra programs (Windows: right‑click > Mount; macOS: double‑click; Linux: loopback mount). Example Linux command:

sudo mount -o loop /path/to/image.iso /mnt/iso

Extraction tools (7‑Zip, similar utilities) let you copy files out, but extracting does not recreate boot sectors — that matters for install media.

For making bootable install media, do not simply copy the .iso file to USB or CD. Use your burner’s “write image” / “burn image” option or a dedicated image‑to‑USB writer so the image’s boot record and partition data are written correctly. For CDs use a CD‑R if you want a single write; many modern installs, however, use USB sticks instead of discs.

Troubleshooting and cautions: if the mounted image won’t run, check whether it’s for a different CPU/OS, or whether the image is copy‑protected. If burned discs show missing files, reburn with verification and a slower speed. This note expands on points raised by and about emulation and extraction, and complements ’s ISO‑9660 reference by adding mounting, USB/boot workflows, and practical troubleshooting.

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Member Avatar for BinaryMayhem

an ISO file contains everthing on a cd. It follows the ISO 9660 standard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_9660)

ISO files are converted, by a burning program, to data files and written to a cd-r.

the only way to utilize these files is to burn the image to a cd (not copy the file) or to use a cd-rom emulator.

cd-rom emulators parse the .iso file and create a virtual cd-rom drive allowing you to use/view the cd from your hard drive. ex program: daemon tools.

Member Avatar for mikeandike22

no if you have virtual drives like either virtual cd 6, nero image drive, or daemon tools which all setup virtual drives on your computer. a virtual drive is a non existing drive that acts like a cd/dvd drive. I use nero image drive all you have to do is right click the iso and say open with and then what ever program you decide to get. You can also use programs like isobuster, winrar, or magic iso to extract the files inside the iso and access them that way. If you want to extract Iso images i would suggest winrar because its free and opens almost any type of compressed file.

Member Avatar for mikeandike22

oops sorry didnt read this line" cd-rom emulators parse the .iso file and create a virtual cd-rom drive allowing you to use/view the cd from your hard drive. ex program: daemon tools. " of your post binary i thought that you said all you could do is burn the iso's.

Member Avatar for A Monkeys Uncle

Can anyone direct me to a link where I can read a bit more on this?

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