Windows XP, Vista (?), 8.1

The lucky ones have an install disk .

Bootable floppy from earlier Windows have limited

usefulness.

Create a boot floppy disk by using a Windows XP-based computer1. Format a floppy disk by using the Windows XP format utility. To do this follow these steps:

1. Insert the floppy disk that you want to use into the floppy disk drive. 2. Click Start, click Run, type format a:, and then click OK.

2. Copy the Ntldr and the Ntdetect.com files from the I386 folder on the Windows XP installation CD-ROM, from the Windows XP installation floppy disk, or from a computer that is running the same version of Windows XP as the computer that you want to access by using the boot floppy disk. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Insert the Windows XP installation media into the disk drive of the computer. 2. Click Start, click Run, type <DriveLetter>:\I386, and then click OK.

Note<DriveLetter> represents the root location of the installation media.3. Right-click the Ntldr file, and then click Copy. 4. Click Start, click Run, type a:, and then click OK. 5. Click the Edit menu, and then click Paste. 6. Repeat steps 2.2 through 2.5 for the Ntdetect.com file.

3. Create a Boot.ini file, or copy one from a computer that is running Windows XP, and then modify the Boot.ini file to match the computer that you are trying to access. The following example lists how to create a Boot.ini file for a single-partition Integrated Device Electronics drive that has Windows XP installed in the \Windows folder:

1. Click Start, click Run, type notepad, and then click OK. 2. Type the following text: [boot loader] timeout=30 Default= multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\windows

[operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\windows="<OperatingSystem>" 3. Note The value that is represented by the <OperatingSystem> placeholder depends on the configuration

of the Windows XP computer that you are trying to access. For example, if you are trying to start a Windows XP Professional computer, this value is as follows:Microsoft Windows XP Professional

4. Click the File menu, and then click Save As. 5. Select 3 ½ Floppy (A:) from the Save in drop-down list, type Boot.ini in the File name text box, and then

click Save. 4. Insert the floppy disk into the floppy disk drive of your computer, and then restart Windows XP.

Windows XP

Other things that did not work

Start Programs Accessories System Tools Backup Backup or

Restore Wizard Advanced Mode

Did not recognize CD-RW Drive

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Windows 7

3. Click on Backup and Restore

2. Type Backup and Restore

1. Click On Start

Windows 7

Windows 7, Windows Vista (?)

Windows 8

Windows 8.1Note: Windows 8.1 no longer includes

the Recdisc utility. If you wish to create a bootable USDB Drive with

Recovery Partition, you should follow the steps in this guide instead:

Windows 8, type Recdisc at the Windows Start Screen Search. Then essentially the same as Windows 7.

Windows 8.1

Charms Bar - Upper Right Click on SearchType Recovery Drive in Search BoxClick Create a recovery driveConfirm UAC

USB Recovery Drive - 1

Windows 8.1

USB Recovery Drive - 2Click box Copy the Recovery Partition …. (if available)Sufficiently large flash drive in USB port - select drive - click Next

Windows 8.1

USB Recovery Drive – 3

Windows 8.1

USB Recovery Drive – 4

Click Create, Finish (or, to free disk space, click box Delete Recovery Partition…, click Delete). Note: On computers upgraded to 8.1 recovery partition will be Windows 8.

Windows (Various Versions)

Anti Virus program options Image backup program options

Bootable Windows image backup DVD(For some Windows versions)

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Other ways to create bootable media

Windows (All Versions)

Booting from floppy disks, CDs/DVDs, flash drives

Press power switch on computer

At the first logo repeatedly tap F12 or F2 (See computer manual, or consult

manufacturer’s web page)

Windows (All Versions)Use arrow keys to select boot mode (no mouse). Press the Enter key.