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Creating bootable DVDs from .iso by converting to .cdr first

My DVD burner on the Win7 office PC is non-functional, so when I downloaded a Linux .iso to burn, I turned to my Macbook Pro. Simple... insert DVD, Disk Utility, choose the .iso and burn. It worked ... but not the way I planned. Instead of a bootable disk, I got a perfect copy of the .iso ! What was wrong? I'm posting this in hopes of helping the next guy avoid the ~ 2 hrs. of search through forums everywhere to find the right answer.


DON'T burn the .iso directly

DO convert it to a .cdr first, then burn it! Here's how:


1. Open Disk Utility

2. Drag & drop the .iso onto the left panel (under where you see your HD listed), or in some other manner get it into the left panel (may vary with the version of OSX you are using)

3. Highlight the .iso

4. Choose "Convert" at the top

5. IMPORTANT: Choose "DVD/CD master" for the image format

6. For encryption choose "none"

7. Click "Save", and make sure the file type is ".cdr" (you can keep the .iso if you want as well)

8. After some time, you will have another image; burn that image

9. Insert a writable CD or DVD, and choose the slowest possible burn time (for safety)

10. Choose to verify the disk you are burning as well, then click "Burn"

11. Depending on what OS built the .iso, the result may not be readable by your Mac, but the PC or hypervisor where you will install it will be able to read and boot it


Happy burning!


Note: you can also do this from the command line using hdiutil. It will give you more features and options, if needed...

OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), Should work with most versions

Posted on Jun 26, 2013 6:45 PM

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Posted on Dec 3, 2013 6:41 PM

Really good info. I had forgotten that burning an ISO does not make it bootable. Doing (above) this makes it possible to burn WIN7 etc to a disc that will boot and install on a PC and presumably with Bootcamp etc. Thanks.

19 replies

Nov 2, 2014 2:12 PM in response to TedETGbiz

Just wanted to thank TedETGbiz for posting this! I was pulling my hair out for hours trying to figure out why the DBAN boot disk I burned on my Mac would not boot up in the old Dell I am donating to charity. This post solved my problem and I am happily erasing all of my personal data from the old computer as I type. Thanks for the clear instructions, Ted.


Lance

Oct 31, 2016 8:21 AM in response to TedETGbiz

Thanks a MILLION for your step-by-step solution!


I'd spent 6 HOURS doing internet searches AND over an hour with two Apple Tech Support personnel trying to update the firmware on my 500GB Samsung 840 Evo SSD in my Early 2011 MacBook Pro ("MBP") using Samsung's horribly incomplete instructionshttp://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/downloads/software/Samsung_SS D_Firmware_Update_Utility_User_Manual_Eng…. to burn a startup CD from their ISO firmware update download http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/downloads/software/Samsung_SSD _840_EVO_EXT0DB6Q_Mac.iso.


I'd created 15+ USB startup drives and burned 6 CDs but none of them would be recognized when I held down the "C" key while restarting my MBP. Your solution was amazing since all the steps were CLEARLY spelled out... AND didn't require using Terminal or a PC !!!


AWESOME !!!


Now if I could find a similar simple step-by-step instructions for creating a startup USB drive... WITHOUT Terminal or having to use a PC. 8-)

Creating bootable DVDs from .iso by converting to .cdr first

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