Bootable CD from I386 Folder ??

Question

I would like to help a friend by burning a bootable XP CD
from his I386 folder as he has no OpSys disc. But the
I386 folder weighs in at about 974Mb and has some pretty
big MPG and MP3 files, and two big OEMBIOS
files (.BIN and .BI_). What can I lose before burning
a CD??

chuck

dave51_2fe887 · Answer

Borrow a Dell reinstall disc that is the same version of Windows on that computer. It will install and activate, if it asks for COA number, it probably wont, use the COA number on the sticker that is on the cumputer

Hydralisk00222 · Answer

you cannot make a Cd with those files. request backup CDs from dell. it's free.

cciaffone · Answer

Yeah right! Dell sez 'Not our job!'. The PC is out of warranty and so is too old. Also I am told (by Dell) that the C:/I386 folder is for reinstalling XP should the need arise. However, if the drive fails (the need will have arisen!) that folder won't do us much good. So I ask again, how can I burn a bootable CD from the C:/I386 folder that is bigger than a CD?? chuck

C3PO5 · Answer

Hi chuck

Does the computer still have the C:\Dell folder and all of the folders in it ?

If it does go to control panel and unhide files and folders then do a search for MEDIA.exe

if you come up with that rename it to MEDIA.ISO and burn it to a CD that is the version

of windows that came with your computer !

And it only applies if your computer had the option of making a CD when it was new!

And you can not make a CD with the I386 folder!

Good Luck

mombodog · Answer

cciaffone , read this     http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml

cciaffone · Answer

Hokay! I yield! So ... just what IS the purpose of the C:/I386 folder???

C3PO5 · Answer

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1

Hi

Just the owner order the backup CD,s from the link above

to me it would be a lot faster and less trouble !

Good Luck

Hydralisk00222 · Answer

@cciaffone wrote:
Hokay! I yield!

So ... just what IS the purpose of the C:/I386 folder???

Dell treats it as a cache of system files in addition to the built-in dllcache folder

bldbubg overwrites the originals with updated system files so you CANNOT use the I386 folder for anything

Windows General

Bootable CD from I386 Folder ??

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