Best free way to create ISO's

I am a bit unsure what form your disk image is in.  However here aer two solutions one of which should work.

If the file in in .iso you can download a free (shareware) program that will burn iso file.
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm

The other will create an iso from most any type of program and then burn it. You can download a trail version of this program and use it for files of less than 300 MB.
http://www.magiciso.com/download.htm

Here is a link that describes how to create an iso with nero:
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=245

I think I have covered most of the bases here.  For some reason if this does not solve the problem please respond with a bit more information as I have other options.  This is a problem I have had a few times so I do have several different solutions

Scott J. Lloyd

Since You Already Have Nero, Theres No Point In Getting Any Other Software, In Order To Make An ISO With Nero 7:

Select Image Recorder. Then A New CD-ROM Compilation. Drag The Data From The CD To The Compilation Window. When You "BURN" It Will Ask For A File Name And You CanChoose ISO From The Dropdown.

Let me clarify what i want to do.

I want to create a set of ISO images to store on a hard disk so they can be mounted with a virtual cdrom program.

I need to create these ISO images from original cds i own.

When i try to burn it in nero, there is only .NRG in the drop down menu. I am wanting to do it using the "CD copy" option as the cds are bootable.

If nero cant do it, i want a freeware program to do it, not shareware because its for commercial use.

Bryan

if i use the drag and drop method, i can write it to an ISO image, however i will lose my boot data.

FORGET NERO.  It is a "regulated" program full of errors and blockades linked to the regulatory alliance.

If you want to create ISOs, use WinISO, ISObuster, direct ISO or Magic ISO.

These are the BEST at creating bootable ISOs.  It is worth paying the small fee for them -- NERO is USELESS for ISOs.

nero has served be extremely well over the years, being able to write data cds playable in one of the first cd mp3 players i got, so i beg to differ.

The project is something small and something i dont want to have to go through the hell of getting manager approval and getting autority for credit cards and stuff.. its a nightmare. freeware is a must.

The best free tool I've ever found is ImgTool (freeware)
http://www.coujo.de/
It works best in pair with ImgBurn
http://www.imgburn.com/
and DvdDecrypter
http://www.dvddecrypter.org.uk/

There's a good shareware tool, winimage, for creatign disk images of different types of media - boot floppies, CD ISOs, and probably thumb drives, though I haven't tried it for that yet.  It's not free forever, but is is for 30 days of use.

http://www.winimage.com/winimage.htm
http://www.winimage.com/download.htm

how to for Nero 5.5: http://www.bay-wolf.com/bootcd.htm
how to for Nero 6+: http://www.bay-wolf.com/bootcd6.htm

At This Time There Is No FREE ISO Manager/Editor That Will Retain The Original Boot Options. (There Are Ways To Add A Different Boot Option, Like YoungBonzi Pointed To)

The Best Free Tool That Will Allow You To Create ISOs Is CDBurnerXP Pro:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/cdburnerxp.html

You Must Drag And Drop And Then Set It Bootable, It Won't Retain The Same Boot Options, But The Disk Will Be Bootable.



***If You Are Going To Be Editing ISO Images And Constantly Needing The Images To Retain Their ORIGINAL Bootable Form Use Scrathcyboy's Advice. I Must Agree With Scrathcyboy, Although Nero Is One Of The Best If Not The Best Burning Tools Available, Nero Loves Its Proprietary NRG Format. If You Like ISOs Don't Use Nero.***

I would suggest the free version of Deepburner(deepburner.com)

cmiuc007:
bryanford couldn't use DeepBurner "because its for commercial use." - bryanford

"Please note! The DeepBurner Free version can be used for personal purposes only. No business or educational use is allowed for this version.
DeepRipper can be used by anyone for any legal reason without restriction.
Download Desktop Versions"

That means legally he couldn't use it without purchasing the pro version.

You could also use Alchohol 120% from Alchohol Soft.
This is the best in the best in the business, besides Nero.
Nero is more for burning in general, while Alchohol 120% specializes in
copying legit CDs (or "rented").

Another suggestion:
http://files.oldos.org/files/win9x/winima61.exe

WinImage. It's a trial, but it will get the job done for sure.

sagar_n,

solution B was the best easiest one. i dont mind passing it through an extra step.

for those who said i should use a different virtual cd app that supports nrg, i didnt because its not really a virtual cd, its microsoft virtual pc and it can only mount iso's in the virtual system.

i used the freeware app to convert the nrg and it worked great

thanks all,

Bryan

Thank you :)