Creating and burning ISOs

Creating ISOs of CDs

Using K3b

This HOW-To is to help Windows users to create an ISO of a CD using K3b (in Dapper Drake [6.06]), a utility similar to Nero, in Windows. The entire process is supplemented with Screenshots. In this case, I'm using a single CD-RW (SONY CD-RW CRX230EE)

• Insert any data CD, of which, you would like to create an ISO. On inserting the CD, similar to Windows, you'll be prompted with a screen, that essentially works like Auto-Run in Windows.
  

[1]

In this case, I am using a Ubuntu 6.10 CD for creating its ISO.

If you would like to view the contents of the CD, click on Open in New Window. Since, I had to create an ISO, I chose to "Do Nothing" and clicked OK button.

• Next, Click the K Menu -> Multimedia -> K3b (CD & DVD Burning) to open it. On opening, you should see something similar to the following screenshot.

[2]

• Go to "Copy CD" box and left-click it. You should see a window similar to the following screenshot.

[3]

CD Reading Device and the burning device may be same or different based on the hardware that you have. My screenshot shows a single optical drive for reading as well as burning.

Don't worry about the other options, as they will be selected automatically by K3b when you choose to create an image.

• To create an image of the CD, under "Options", select / check "Only create image" and deselect / uncheck the others (Simulate, Remove image). The following screenshot demonstrates the same.

[4]

Move to the image tab, in that window and specify a directory to write the ISO file to. For example, /home/bharat/ISO_files (where bharat is the logged on user)

• Click on Start button, to begin creating the ISO and you'll see a window similar to the one shown below.

[5]

• You'll also see a status of the optical disc being read to create the ISO, when you minimize the K3b window. Here's a screenshot of the same.

[6]

• On completion, a superb! sound will emanate from your speakers / headphones indicating success. You'll also see a window similar to the one below.

[7]

Using Nautilus

Nautilus is the file browser in GNOME which is default desktop environment for Ubuntu. It has basic functionality for creating ISO, writing ISO to CD etc.

• Right click on the CD icon that appears when you insert the CD and select 'Copy Disc ...'

[8]

• Select option 'File Image' for 'Copy disc to:'

[9]

• Choose a filename and path for iso. Make sure that you have right access to the directory.

[10]

• A progress dialog will show up

[11]