What Is A Disk Image

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What is a disk image

A disk image is a software copy of a physical disk. It saves the entire data from the disk, including the file structure and all files and folders from the disk, in a single file. Because disk images are exact copies, or 'clones,' of original disks, they can be used to duplicate disks or serve as full backups in case a system restore must be done.

Disk images can be created from both hard disks and optical media, such as CDs and DVDs. However, optical media images are technically called 'disc images' instead of 'disk images.' Several programs, such as Nero, IsoBuster, and Norton Ghost can be used to make disk images for Windows. Programs like Apple Disk Utility and Roxio Toast can create disk images for Mac OS X.

Mar 01, 2015 A system image backup is basically an exact copy ('image') of a drive - in other words, you can use a system image to completely restore your computer, settings and all, in the event of a PC. A disk image is a copy of the entire contents of a storage device, such as a hard drive, DVD, or CD. The disk image represents the content exactly as it is on the original storage device, including both data and structure information. A disk image of a hard drive may be saved as a virtual hard disk (VHD). Uses of disk images include.

Most disk image files store data in a raw, binary format. This means they do not have a file system, which tells the computer how to access the files and folders in the disk image. Therefore, in order for the data in a disk image to be readable by the computer, the image must first be mounted by either the operating system or a disk utility program.

File extensions: .ISO, .BIN, .DMG

Raw Disk Images A Raw Disk Image contains an exact, sector-by-sector copy of a single partition or disk. A Raw Disk Image of a disk or a partition is a larger file than a Backup Disk Image of the same disk or partition and it takes a longer time to create.

Updated: April 16, 2008

I have a mid-2010 MacBook Pro that I am wiping for a family member so that they can sell it. It was connected to care patient data at one point so I want to make sure it's good and clean before we sell it. So I booted under Disk Utility and wiped the 'Internal Drive' by going to erase and setting the security options.

What Is Local Drive G


But there is a drive under 'Disk Images' called 'Apple disk image Media' with 'OS X Base System' under it, using 1.27 GB with 728 MB free. Just wondering what this is, and if it would have info on it? How can I delete it? I don't see any way to erase it and it isn't mentioned in any of the guides I've read.

What Is A Disk Image File


The Mac did have Boot Camp on it, which I deleted through the OS. Not sure if it's related.

What Is A Disk Image File

Posted on Jul 5, 2017 6:10 PM