Cloning a CD

[alegator]

I have a Dell OEM WinXP OS installation CD that came with my Dell PC. It has over 4 years and it's time to make a backup of it just in case it gets scratched, etc. What's the best method to make a clone CD? I guess there's lots of software for this (Nero, etc), just would like advise on the most reliable/precise method given that it's an OS installation CD. Thanks.

[redwudz]

Clone CD would be the first one I would try. It can backup most any CD format.

[AlanHK]

If you've got Nero, that should work.

I don't think there is any copy protection on Windows CDs, but it'll be bootable, to retain that it does need to be cloned rather than just copying the files as data.

If you're planning a reinstall, you may be interested in slipstreaming service packs and patches into the disc image.

See eg HFslip and elsewhere on that forum.

[Bjs]

Both clone cd , and nero will copy it ... but you will need to test it using a spare empty hd ... just checking for error's during install is the only method to guarantee it is perfect .

The problem will be the drive used to make they copy ... liteon is the best ... sony , and lg next ... other's may produce an inferior copy ... but do try clone cd on the slowest read setting possible will help with other units .

[glockjs]

i always liked Alcohol 120% :/

[alegator]

If you've got Nero, that should work.

I don't think there is any copy protection on Windows CDs, but it'll be bootable, to retain that it does need to be cloned rather than just copying the files as data.

If you're planning a reinstall, you may be interested in slipstreaming service packs and patches into the disc image.

See eg HFslip and elsewhere on that forum.

Thanks everyone for their response. I tried slipstreaming on the Dell OEM WinXP CD and it's a headache. What I do on every clean install is:
1) Install WinXP pre SP1 using the Dell OEM CD.
2) Install SP2 using the Microsoft SP2 offline file (I have it in an external hard drive)
3) Install all current updates using Autopatcher XP (again file in external hard drive)
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showforum=89
This has proven to me to be the fastest, simplest,safest and most successful method.