Boot disk

A boot disk is a removable media, normally read-only, that can boot an operating system or utility.

Related Topics:
Read-only - Boot - Operating system

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Boot disks normally store any temporary files in a RAM disk (floppy), to prevent changes in the fixed media of the computer where the Boot disk is used.

Related Topics:
RAM disk - Floppy

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Boot disks are used for:

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• Operating system installation.
• Data recovery.
• Troubleshooting.
• Customizing an environment.
• Software demonstration.

Floppy disks and CD-ROMs are the most common forms of media used, but other media, such as tape drives, zip drives and more recently, USB keys have been can be used. What can be booted depends on whether a computer's BIOS supports booting from that device. For example, not all BIOSes support booting from a CD-ROM and require a boot floppy to run the software on the CD-ROM.

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Boot disk: See also ►