Windows on a bootable CD?
 

Does anyone know of a Knoppix style "live cd" that runs windows? I need to run windows to do a firmware upgrade on my DVD burner, and I only have linux installed. (Yes, linux can burn DVDs)

I don't think so.. only bootable windows things I know of are just normal boot disks for them (that just go to a DOS prompt). It is possible to make a boot-cd from them, but you'd just get the DOS prompt.

Because you have to pay for Winblows, I doubt you'll see an ISO or something that you can download that is a bootable version of Windows.

I've never seen a live version of Windows.

Exactly what PART of windows do you need to run the upgrade? You might be able to do with just a win95/98/2000 boot disk. There are quite a few places on the net where you can download a Windows boot disk image. Just Google.

can u run a firmware upgrade thru Dos? (im not with lunix at all so..)
if so get a Dos *.* on Disk and run it there! other then that look on the dvdr/rw website for firmware on there site!

Although u may have already done this/try this, it may be like the lawnmower aint working cuz there is no gas!

Other then that i am not sure but i will ask my VB6 Teacher!

The flash app uses a GUI. I realize that a live windows CD would not be kosher legaly, so I suppose I'm breaking the no warez rule. It is a GUI program, however, it does not contain the usual "This program cannot be run in DOS mode." so i suppose it is worth a try.

Well, the damn thing won't run in DOS. Oh well.

have an old hard drive laying around? put it in your computer and throw an old copy of Win98 or something on it...

Yeah, but the point is I don't want to take an hour babysitting a windows install.

Fair enough.. other idea is to put the DVD-ROM drive into an existing windows computer, update the firmware, and then switch it back.

I don't think the registry would understand being on a cd. Well, actually it would have to be a dvd.

Well, the problem is, I don't have a computer that runs Windows. Which means I have to do it at work.

try "format c:"

its possible to run windows on a zip disk or jaz etc, you got one of those ?

Hmm, your sig is kind of ironic. Anyways... have a mate who has a Windows computer? Get Partition Magic and parition your drive temporarily (a pain, I know.. but at least you'd get a windows install in).

There's hope!
Try searching around a bit for Windows PE (Preinstallation environment).
You might be able to get it running and do your firmware upgrade from there.

Anders is right, sure you can boot Windows live from a CD/DVD. But nicer than Microsofts version is this one:

Bart's PE Builder: http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

Unlike MS Windows PE (command prompt only) this is almost a full windows with graphical interface and plugins to run NERO, McAfee and alot more.

These can be a hassle to create, but extremely fun! There is a good thread at http://www.abxzone.com/ about how to do it.

AxelF, I am forever in your debt. I will build myslef one of these CDs on a system at work and give it a try.

Is this the thread you are talking about?

That PE Builder is awesome! Thanks for the link and info!

Yeah Yotta that's it. It's cool but evidently they've built in a 24h reboot to prevent it to be used as a pirated OS. But it's great for having a healthy system to boot that gives you access to your drives in case something needs to be fixed.
You're welcome guys!

(See my coming thread on automatic windows install CD with all drivers and patches)

Jezz, if you need an OS when your hard drive is dead, use knoppix. Everyone should have a copy sitting around :)

Anyhow, I got the thing working, but I could not get my burner to flash from it :-(