Can I turn my installation DVDs into installation pendrives?

TheBigCheese

TheBigCheese

TheBigCheese

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Is it possible to put some software that comes on two DVDs onto one pendrive?

All I can find on Google is how to make bootable pendrives of Windows or versions of the software that run off the pendrives, that's not what I want.

All I want to be able to do is install the software from a pendrive rather than the original discs.

Thanks! :)
 
Yes.

Get a an appropriate sized USB stick.
Format it to FAT32.
Make sure it is set as an active partition.
Copy the root contents of the installation DVD to the root of the USB stick.
Boot PC with USB attached and make sure it's set to attempt to boot from that device.

Think that's it, done it a few times and it makes a noticeable difference to the length of time to take to install.
 
TheBigCheese
Can I turn my installation DVDs into installation pendrives?
Is it possible to put some software that comes on two DVDs onto one pendrive?

All I can find on Google is how to make bootable pendrives of Windows or versions of the software that run off the pendrives, that's not what I want.

All I want to be able to do is install the software from a pendrive rather than the original discs.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Have a look at this journal,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html?ltr=U
 
Might be possible

Try comparing the two roots and see if some files exist on both, if not, then copy them into one folder on the USB stick

Might have to copy them into DVD1 and DVD2 folders, then point the installer at the folders when it asks for the DVD.

Suck it an see :)
 
depends on the type of installer, sometime installshield wizards won't work properly if you copy the setup files from multiple discs.. it'll still ask for the CD.. MSI installers are more compatible.
 
Ooh busy thread, sorry I haven't replied sooner!

Yes absolutely iDroid84, it's not for an OS it's software that comes on 2 DVDs and takes a blooming age to install!

Thanks to you both for the links I'll investigate them further, are they designed for OS installs or just standard software as well?

Cheers for those of you who've mentioned just copying them across, I didn't try it as I honestly didn't think it would be that easy but I'll have a look into it now, obviously checking to make sure there aren't the same files on each disc.
 
TheBigCheese said:
Ooh busy thread, sorry I haven't replied sooner!

Yes absolutely iDroid84, it's not for an OS it's software that comes on 2 DVDs and takes a blooming age to install!

Thanks to you both for the links I'll investigate them further, are they designed for OS installs or just standard software as well?

Cheers for those of you who've mentioned just copying them across, I didn't try it as I honestly didn't think it would be that easy but I'll have a look into it now, obviously checking to make sure there aren't the same files on each disc.
Click to expand...

It may be as simple as copying both disks over to the USB stick. Some spanned software data may require them to be on disks but would depend on how the software installers are wrote. Every peice of software I have come accross would be fine just to copy (CD/DVD) > paste (USB) > RUN. You can even leave the autorun on the USB too as this would mean when the USB is inserted you will get a autorun menu.

As bleed.'s girlfriend says 'suck it and see'. The only true life statement lmao.
 
I've looked at the discs and the same folders are on both so that's a bit of a pain...I'll still give it a go...hopefully putting them in sub folders on the disc will help.

Good idea about the autorun! :)
 
TheBigCheese said:
I've looked at the discs and the same folders are on both so that's a bit of a pain...I'll still give it a go...hopefully putting them in sub folders on the disc will help.

Good idea about the autorun! :)
Click to expand...

Can you do a tree directory of the CD/DVDs please?

Use command prompt and do
Where X is the letter of your CD/DVD Drive:
.. post the text file information somewhere

Code: 
dir X:\ /S /T > c:\CD1.txt
 
I used Novicorp Win2Flash to make two bootable USB drives recently. Both to install Windows 7. Worked perfectly first time :) Lazy method I know, but it works ;)
 
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