The CDROM image was a firmware upgrade image from Dell (based on Linux). Mounting the image with iDRAC, it worked nicely. As one of the Servers had a dying iDRAC (Dell R320), I needed an USB stick.

I switch between computers a lot, so I use a persistent Linux USB that keeps my workspace consistent anywhere.

Having bootable media ready can be a real lifesaver when you need to do a clean installation of Windows. Thankfully, it's easy to set that up. There are two main ways to create bootable media for a ...

Update: Before you try all of this, you may want to try using WinToFlash, a utility designed to create a bootable Windows flash drive for Windows XP/Vista/7/Server. If this works for you, you can skip ...

I think the reason we haven't heard many complaints about the doing away of physical media is exactly this. As long as power users can make their own offline media, there's nothing to complain about.

Apple will not offer a USB or Optical Disk external installer to Mountain Lion (as far as we have heard). That does not mean you cannot sneaker net the install around your home, office or lab like ...