running ISO and IMG dvd files?

Yes, i have a related thread here, but this is really quite different, IMHO. Sorry, Admin, if I'm wrong.

I have downloaded some ISO and IMG files from MS. Their instructions are to burn to DVD, then put in computer and run.

These are vista files, but only my XP computer is working now.

Dumb question, but what happens when I try to open or run an ISO file? Does it create another file? These things have been around a long time but I've never quite understood ISO files.

Same with IMG files, this one from MS wth the same instructions, burn to DVD and then open. Can I open a vista IMG file with XP-32?

robertpri said:

Dumb question, but what happens when I try to open or run an ISO file? Does it create another file? These things have been around a long time but I've never quite understood ISO files.

Same with IMG files, this one from MS wth the same instructions, burn to DVD and then open. Can I open a vista IMG file with XP-32?

Click to expand...

An ISO file is a CD/DVD image. It just makes it easier for you to burn files to a CD/DVD

I cant imagine why you would want to just open them

Pooch

I am just trying to understand the MS instructions. This is from their MSKB base

^^^^^
Instructions

1. Click the Download button on this page to start the download.
2. Click Save or Save this program to your computer. Windows AIK is distributed as an .img file.
3. Burn the saved img to a DVD.
4. Insert the DVD into the machine.

^^^^^
Dumb Q #2: do they mean it's supposte to boot? Insert the DVD into the machine and do what? I know many people do this all the time, but it's a mystery to this fool.

Yeah some img and iso are made to boot most of the time.