As seen in previous posts, a computer can be started normally, or even from a CD or from a USB stick (with a program that can be started inside). Starting a PC from a USB stick or CD is used, for example, to install a new operating system, to try a live system, (without installation), to restore or create a backup, to start an antivirus when the computer is booted or to start diagnostic and troubleshooting tools (at the end of the post, the guides for each of these operations).
However, it should be noted that CDs are expensive and impractical while USB sticks can be slow to load.
Also, some older computers do not support booting from USB.
Few people know that there is the possibility to boot the computer from an ISO image (see what is in the article "Create ISO, copy, extract and convert disk images"), directly through the Boot Manager of Windows 7 or Vista .
Starting from an ISO image, a file stored on the computer's hard disk, makes loading the system or recovery program much faster, without having to resort to CD discs or USB sticks.
The program that makes the ISO bootable when the computer is booted is EasyBCD, a free program (for non-commercial use) by NeoSmart Technologies that I had already talked about in two previous guides: How to install two operating systems on a PC and how to start the computer from USB even without entering the Bios.
EasyBCD can be downloaded by clicking on the Register button for the Non-commercial Free version, then pressing on Download even without completing the registration.
EasyBCD is the best program to manage the Windows bootloader (the initial boot menu of the computer), with many options, even for professional use.
With EasyBCd it is possible to mount disk images, ISO, so that the system or the program appears in the Start menu of the computer, at boot or when the computer is turned on.
Before making changes to the Windows bootloader, to avoid any possible risk of causing boot problems, it is advisable to make a backup of the bootloader from the BCD Backup / Repair menu, then selecting the folder in which to save the file and pressing the Backup Settings button.
Making an ISO bootable at Windows boot and creating a new boot menu item is simple, even if the program is in English, just proceed as follows:
1) Click on Add New Entry
2) Under the Portable / External Media section, select the ISO tab.
3) In Name put the text to be displayed in the Windows boot while as Mode choose from the drop-down menu " Load From Memory " if it is a small program (less than 200MB) or " Load from disk " if it is a larger ISO .
4) Select the ISO file to be executed at startup by pressing the key next to the Path item.
5) Click the Add Entry button.
Now, if you click on the View Entry menu at the top left, the ISO just loaded should appear as a new bootloader entry.
Now, when you restart your computer with Windows Vista or Windows 7, immediately, a menu with black screen will appear where you can choose whether to start the computer normally or whether to load the configured ISO.
In this menu you have to use the arrows on the keyboard to move.
In this way it is possible, without USB sticks and without CD, to use the ISO of tools such as:
- Boot CDs to solve problems and if Windows no longer starts
- Run emergency virus scans.
- Start Linux Ubuntu or Fedora "live" ie without installations.
- Restore a backup from disk image with Easus Todo Backup
- Recover data from a formatted hard drive
- Data and file recovery from a computer that no longer starts
- Find the Windows password
- Install Windows 7 from ISO image.
Finally, I must decline any responsibility for any malfunctions caused by EasyBCD which, if used incorrectly, can cause problems to the bootloader compromising the normal startup of the computer.
In case of problems, consult the Fix MBR guide on Windows 7 and XP to restore the computer startup.
