A CD-ROM or DVD-ROM that contains its own operating system ready to load. PCs are typically configured to look for the OS on a CD or DVD first and then the hard disk. Newer machines can also boot from a flash memory-based USB drive (see USB drive).
System and Data Recovery
A bootable disk is used to recover a failed system when the OS on the hard disk cannot load. The OS on the bootable disk does not have to be the same as the OS on the hard disk. However, it must support the file system on the hard disk, so that hard disk files can be examined and repaired. In addition, the OS on the bootable disk must contain the appropriate software drivers for all the peripherals that will be used in a recovery attempt.
If the system cannot be restored, valuable data files can be copied to an external drive. In the past, a compact version of DOS was often used as a bootable disk.
Install or Replace an Operating System
A bootable disk is also used to install a new operating system. By booting its own operating system (not necessarily the one being installed), it is able to format and write to the blank hard disk on a new computer. In addition, when replacing an existing operating system, it gives the installation program complete control of the computer. See LiveCD.
System and Data Recovery
A bootable disk is used to recover a failed system when the OS on the hard disk cannot load. The OS on the bootable disk does not have to be the same as the OS on the hard disk. However, it must support the file system on the hard disk, so that hard disk files can be examined and repaired. In addition, the OS on the bootable disk must contain the appropriate software drivers for all the peripherals that will be used in a recovery attempt.
If the system cannot be restored, valuable data files can be copied to an external drive. In the past, a compact version of DOS was often used as a bootable disk.
Install or Replace an Operating System
A bootable disk is also used to install a new operating system. By booting its own operating system (not necessarily the one being installed), it is able to format and write to the blank hard disk on a new computer. In addition, when replacing an existing operating system, it gives the installation program complete control of the computer. See LiveCD.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Xupport 3.6.0 (Mac)
- Xupport is a multipurpose system utility for Mac OS X. It provides many features to configure hidden Mac OS X and Unix options, to increase system security and performance, to maintain and backup Mac OS X, and to dig deeper into the world of Unix. Xupport 3 is fully compatible...
- Software downloads 2009-10-30
- Netbooks worth the upgrade to Windows 7? Heck yes!
- my thoughts"As I wrote the day that 7 launched, 'Windows 7 is just another OS.'"An article sitting at a -1 rating (out of 33 people) as I type this, and with quite a bit of Talkback discussion. Not exactly a shining pillar of truth."Most netbooks ship with Windows XP Home...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-26
- Time to ditch the optical drive, once and for all
- Once heralded as the second coming of data storage, the sun has finally set on the optical drive as an effective vehicle for data storage and delivery. Optical drives are simply too small and too slow to be practical. Single layer discs hold 4.7GB while double layer discs can hold...
- Blog posts 2009-09-16
- 4 reasons NOT to upgrade to Snow Leopard today
- AV software is not compatible.For companies and universities that use NAC, there are little to no AV products that are compatible. Prior to SnowLeopard, there were McAfee and Symantec/Norton. Right now about nothing works, screwing the NAC policies for folks.Oh wait, Mac's dont get viruses. LOL ...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-14
- Snow Leopard Cache Cleaner 5.0.2 (Mac)
- Snow Leopard Cache Cleaner is an award winning general purpose tool for Mac OS X. sLCC makes system maintenance simple with an easy point and click interface to many OS X functions. Novice and expert users alike will appreciate the powerful toolset sLCC provides. Snow Leopard Cache Cleaner is installed...
- Software downloads 2009-09-10
- Deja Vu 3.6 (Mac)
- Deja Vu offers an automatic and seamless new approach to backing up your files. It's a preference pane that shows up in your System Preferences, and it allows you to schedule unattended backups of important folders, or even your entire system. Deja Vu has been localized for English, French, German,...
- Software downloads 2009-09-02
- Dynamic Disk Converter 1.0 (Windows)
- Dynamic Disk Converter is a powerful dynamic disk management software. Its main feature is to convert a dynamic disk to basic disk without loss of data. After completing the conversion, it can ensure Operating System bootable and data integrity. Its friendly user interface makes you use it more easily and...
- Software downloads 2009-09-01
- Intego Personal Backup X5 10.5.6 (Mac)
- Personal Backup X5 is the versatile backup program for Mac, offering backups, bootable backups and synchronizations. Personal Backup X5 protects Mac users from disasters by backing up files regularly. Users can create custom scripts to meet their precise needs, and Personal Backup X5 ensures that backup copies of their files...
- Software downloads 2009-08-26
- NovaBACKUP Professional 10.3 (Windows)
- Automatically back up your files, photos, music, and email to a local drive, device, or an online storage account. Log onto the Internet and recover your critical files from any location. With smart file backup, online backup, open file backup, and complete hard drive imaging, NovaBACKUP protects your data in...
- Software downloads 2009-08-04
- NovaBackup Server 10.3 (Windows)
- Automatically back up your server data to a local drive, device, or a free online storage account. Log onto the Internet and recover your critical business files from any location. With smart file backup, online backup, open file backup, and complete hard drive imaging, NovaBACKUP Server is an affordable, easy...
- Software downloads 2009-08-04
- MagicISO Maker 5.5 build 276 (Windows)
- MagicISO Maker is a CD/DVD-image-file editor, CD/DVD burner, and CD/DVD-backup tool. It can directly create, edit, extract, and burn ISO files. It also can convert almost all CD and DVD image formats to ISO and BIN/CUE. With MagicISO, you can handle DVD images up to 10GB; make CD/DVD-image files from...
- Software downloads 2009-08-02
- Synergix imageIT 2009 9.0 (Windows)
- ImageIT is the fastest and easiest Microsoft Windows Operating System Deployment Software. You can now store your disk images with an online storage service provider and restore using HTTP / FTP, besides the traditional Windows Server or Samba on UNIX. Using ImageIT Hot Backup option, end users can backup...
- Software downloads 2009-08-01
- The Ultimate Windows 7 Upgrade FAQ
- The Ultimate Windows 7 Upgrade FAQThanks! Handy guide to bookmark.These questions keep coming up so it's great to have a handy guide to point people at.That last question about whether upgrade media will be able to do an install on an empty HDD is the big unknown. I wish MS...
- Discussion threads 2009-07-23
- East-Tec DisposeSecure 4.1 (Windows)
- Don't give away sensitive information with the old computers that you or your company resells, donates or removes from operation. Deleting all files, formatting the hard disk or using FDISK is not enough to stop people to restore information using basic recovery programs. East-Tec DisposeSecure removes all traces of data...
- Software downloads 2009-07-21
- NovaBackup Pro 10.3 (Windows)
- New NovaBACKUP 10, NovaStor's award winning software, now incorporates standard backup, online backup, and disk-imaging disaster recovery technology. With 2GB free online backup for 1 year, NovaBACKUP makes it easy to follow best-practice data protection procedures. Easy setup and step-by-step wizards make this the perfect tool for you and your...
- Software downloads 2009-07-14
- Maxtor BlackArmor PS 110 - hard drive - 500 GB - Hi-Speed USB
- Maxtor's new 500GB BlackArmor PS 110 external hard drive ($160) provides trustworthy storage and data backup solutions for the consumer that needs more space. The shape and design of the drive isn't a far departure from the FreeAgent Go, another thin external HDD from Maxtor's parent company Seagate. The PS...
- Product reviews 2009-07-01
- Could Windows on a thumb drive = Microsoft StartKey?
- Could Windows on a thumb drive = Microsoft StartKey?About TimeI've got a bootable Fedora installation on a thumb drive. It works quite well. You can also put the latest Ubuntu Netbook Remix versions on a thumb drive for installation. It'd be nice to see Microsoft catch up to the open-source...
- Discussion threads 2009-06-26
- ZDNet Readers' Choice: Top 25 free, lightweight apps
- ZDNet Readers' Choice: Top 25 free, lightweight appsMissed two but maybe they aren't popularIf you are including Gimp, then how about Google Apps Picasa. This is an excellent free photo organizing program. Google has even put out a Linux beta of this handy program.http://picasa.google.comGoogle Sketchup - a highly...
- Discussion threads 2009-06-25
- Active@ Undelete Data Recovery 7.3.003 (Windows)
- Data recovery software that allows you to recover lost, deleted, and formatted data on local and network drives, as well as removable drives and digital media such as Secure Digital, Compact Flash, Smart Media, or SONY Memory Stick. Active@ UNDELETE Professional & Enterprise installation packages contain a CD/DVD ISO image...
- Software downloads 2009-06-09
- Invisible Linux
- Invisible LinuxLinux on the mobile "desktop"Many/most of the major smartphone/mobile OSes are based on Linix: Android, WebOS, LiMo, Moblin, Maemo, Ubuntu, .... The iPhone OS is based on FreeBSD, a cousin of Linux.Thus, Linux/*nix is already entering the "desktop" of the average user, through the use of mobile devices. And,...
- Discussion threads 2009-06-08
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
Popular Sanity Saver Videos
