Since last year June 2006 ,when i started join my company, I meet a colleague – Alvins, a funny and friendly guys who have a lot of IT knowledge and he mention with me a CD which can boot up and run the Operation System(OS) without a Hard Disk Drive(HDD). That mean the Operation System has been load to the RAM from CD-Room and not from Hard Disk.

How OS been load to RAM?
According to our Computer work flow, when we start the machine, a ROM(read only memory) which is call CMOS too, store a software call “supervisor” will find the OS from Hard Disk(HDD),then load the OS from HDD to the RAM.

This ROM/CMOS or we call it “bios” too. It can be set manually, we can choose the boot pirority, from HDD, CD-Rom or Floopy. On this case, we set the 1st boot to CD-Room.

Which CD can boot without HDD?
Until beginning to this year, once of my IT mentor – Vincent has introduce me this kind of CD when i mention to him. This software call Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a community developed, linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need – a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more. Read More…

How to get this CD?
To have this ubuntu software, you have 3 ways to get it

1. Download Ubuntu from the website
2. Buy Ubuntu on CD
3. Request free CDs

1. Download from website
You able to download the CD image(ISO file) from the website and burn it to CD yourself, the capacity will be around 700MB. I tested before this method

2. Buy Ubuntu on CD
Mostly people want to have DVD version, and the DVD image are to huge, can’t download, so they must buy from distributor nearby their area. Find your local distributor here

3.Request free CDs
You may request a free Ubuntu CD with just sign up and fill in all your information such as address, but the delivery may take up to ten(10) weeks to deliver to your door step. I have register 1 and waiting for the CD, the version i apply would be 7.04 (Feisty Fawn)

How does this CD useful to me (Tips)
Some time when i downloading some file, the file are in tarz, a a kind of zip file that only can open with linux OS, what i do 1st will be, i will save the tarz in my Pen Drive, boot this Ubuntu CD, plug my pen drive in and extract it.

When i back to my windows, i can get those file extract previously in my Pen Drive. Done. So, try your self at Ubuntu.com, it is a good explore for those new to linux