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How-To Index

Image for Linux First Things First – Make a Boot Disk

Use the MakeDisk utility that comes with Image for Linux to create the boot media that contains Image for Linux. Supported boot media types include CD/DVD discs, USB flash drives, and ISO files. The boot media will be used to create and restore backups.

Current versions of Windows support file compression (e.g. extracting .zip files). If you’re using a version of Windows older than Windows ME, you’ll need a third-party program such as WinZip to extract Image for Linux files. In this case, after extracting the files, start with Step 3 to make your Image for Linux boot media.

Extract Image for Linux Files and Run MakeDisk

  1. To extract the contents of the Image for Linux ZIP archive file you downloaded, place the ZIP archive on your Desktop, Downloads folder, or other folder of your choice and then right-click the ZIP file. On the pop-up menu that appears, click Extract All to start the Windows Extraction wizard.



  2. On the extraction screen shown, click Browse to select a folder or type in a path (if not using the default). In this case, the default will be used and the files will be extracted to a sub-folder located in the same folder as the ZIP file. Note that some older versions of Windows (such as XP) use a wizard you need to step through for the extraction process.

    Select the Show extracted files when complete option. Click the Extract button.



  3. The files will be extracted to the selected folder and a new File Explorer window will open. Double-click makedisk.exe to run MakeDisk.



  4. If a security warning is displayed, select the option to allow the program to run (the actual screen shown depends on the version of Windows being used). On the Windows 10 example shown below, click Yes.



  5. On the MakeDisk welcome screen, click Next.



  6. The "Select the product to build" screen is displayed. Image for Linux can operate in simple or traditional mode. The mode selected here affects the mode Image for Linux uses by default when you boot the media (the mode can be changed at any time in program settings regardless of which mode is selected here).

    Selecting Simple will enable Simple Operations mode. This allows Image for Linux to automatically handle most options for you. Backup, Restore, Validate, and Copy operations are available in this mode. Refer to the Using Simple Operations Mode section of the manual for details. Click Next and proceed to the Simple & Traditional ... (Default) Boot Media section to finish creating the boot media.

    Selecting Traditional ... (Default) will configure Image for Linux to run in normal mode. MakeDisk will not prompt for custom Image for Linux and boot media options. Click Next and proceed to the Simple & Traditional ... (Default) Boot Media section to finish creating the boot media.

    Selecting Traditional ... (Custom) will configure Image for Linux to run in normal mode. MakeDisk will display additional configuration steps for Image for Linux and boot media options not available in the other modes. Click Next and proceed to the Traditional ... (Custom) Boot Media section to finish creating the boot media.

    Note: If you have purchased BootIt UEFI or BootIt Bare Metal and plan to use Partition Work in Image for Linux to manage your partitions, you will be able to enter your BootIt license information regardless of your selection here. (This is not supported in trial version.)



Simple & Traditional ... (Default) Boot Media

  1. On the “License Agreement” screen shown below, read the Image for Linux license agreement, and if you accept it, select the I accept the agreement button and click Next.



  2. On the “License” screen shown below, if you own a licensed copy of Image for Linux, supply your license name and product key and click Next. (If you are creating boot media for the trial version you won't be prompted for license information.)



  3. On the “BootIt License (optional)” screen shown below, If you have purchased a BootIt UEFI or BootIt BM license, enter the registration information you were provided with in the text boxes shown on this screen. This will allow you to use the included TBOSDT and Partition Work program to manage your partitions. Then click Next. (If you are creating boot media for the trial version you won't be prompted for license information.)



  4. On the “Select Target” screen shown below, choose the target location where you want MakeDisk to create the bootable Image for Linux media.



    • If you choose the "ISO File" option you will need to also supply an ISO filename in the box provided.
    • If you choose the "CD/DVD" option, leave the CD Speed at Optimal and insert a writable CD or DVD disc before proceeding.
    • If you choose "USB/SD" you can select from several USB layouts for the drive. Your computer’s BIOS determines which option works, so, if one doesn’t work, try another. For details on these options, see the following KB article:
      Using a UFD (USB Flash Drive) as installation/boot media for TeraByte Unlimited products
  5. Click Finish and respond to subsequent prompts as necessary. MakeDisk will create your bootable media and then display the “Success” screen shown below.



  6. Click Close on the MakeDisk Success screen.

  7. To boot your computer using this boot media you might need to edit your computer’s BIOS settings to reorder your drives and permit your media (CD disc, USB flash drive, etc.) to boot your computer before the operating system. As your computer begins to boot, you should see a message—before you ever get to Windows or your operating system—that tells you what key to press to enter Setup—typically the Delete key, F2, or F12. Once in the BIOS, follow the instructions provided in your BIOS to reorder the boot sequence and permit your boot media (or drive) to be examined for boot information before your hard drive. If your system starts by offering you the option to select a boot menu, you can use the boot menu to identify the drive you want to use to boot.

Traditional ... (Custom) Boot Media

When the Custom option is used, MakeDisk displays additional steps to configure Image for Linux and boot media options. These steps are shown here to provide an overview of the process. For more detailed information on the options refer to the Image for Linux manual.

  1. On the “License Agreement” screen shown below, read the Image for Linux license agreement, and if you accept it, select the I accept the agreement button and click Next.



  2. The "Select the optional components" screen will be displayed only if certain configuration files exist in the folder (ifl.ini, scripts.conf, BOOTITBM.INI, BOOTIT.INI). This allows you to include custom versions of these files in the build. Note that various steps will be skipped depending on the files selected to include.



  3. The "Global Geometry Options" screen is displayed. Select the desired options and click Next.



  4. The "Miscellaneous Global Options" screen is displayed. Select the desired options and click Next.



  5. The "Additional ifl.ini Options" screen is displayed. Enter any additional INI file options and click Next.



  6. On the “License” screen shown below, if you own a licensed copy of Image for Linux, supply your license name and product key and click Next. (If you are creating boot media for the trial version you won't be prompted for license information.)



  7. The "Boot Option - Mounting" screen is displayed. Select the desired boot option and click Next.



  8. The "Boot Option - Scripting" screen is displayed. Select the desired script option and click Next.



  9. On the “BootIt License (optional)” screen shown below, If you have purchased a BootIt UEFI or BootIt BM license, enter the registration information you were provided with in the text boxes shown on this screen (you can also enter any BootIt INI file options). This will allow you to use the included TBOSDT and Partition Work program to manage your partitions. Then click Next. (If you are creating boot media for the trial version you won't be prompted for license information.)



  10. On the “Select Target” screen shown below, choose the target location where you want MakeDisk to create the bootable Image for Linux media.



    • If you choose the "ISO File" option you will need to also supply an ISO filename in the box provided.
    • If you choose the "CD/DVD" option, leave the CD Speed at Optimal and insert a writable CD or DVD disc before proceeding.
    • If you choose "USB/SD" you can select from several USB layouts for the drive. Your computer’s BIOS determines which option works, so, if one doesn’t work, try another. For details on these options, see the following KB article:
      Using a UFD (USB Flash Drive) as installation/boot media for TeraByte Unlimited products
  11. Click Finish and respond to subsequent prompts as necessary. MakeDisk will then create your bootable media and then display the “Success” screen shown below.



  12. Click Close on the MakeDisk Success screen.

  13. To boot your computer using this boot media you might need to edit your computer’s BIOS settings to reorder your drives and permit your media (CD disc, USB flash drive, etc.) to boot your computer before the operating system. As your computer begins to boot, you should see a message—before you ever get to Windows or your operating system—that tells you what key to press to enter Setup—typically the Delete key, F2, or F12. Once in the BIOS, follow the instructions provided in your BIOS to reorder the boot sequence and permit your boot media (or drive) to be examined for boot information before your hard drive. If your system starts by offering you the option to select a boot menu, you can use the boot menu to identify the drive you want to use to boot.