Käynnistysmedialle

Käynnistysmedialle, which translates to "for boot media" in Finnish, refers to the process of preparing and using a removable storage device, such as a USB flash drive or DVD, to start a computer. This bootable media contains a special operating system or utility that allows the computer to boot up independently of its installed hard drive. This is commonly used for installing new operating systems, recovering a damaged system, running diagnostic tools, or accessing system settings before the main operating system loads.

Creating bootable media typically involves downloading an operating system image file, often in ISO format, and then using specialized software to write this image to the USB drive or DVD. This software ensures that the boot sector of the media is correctly configured, enabling the computer's BIOS or UEFI firmware to recognize and execute the contents of the bootable media. When a computer is set to boot from this media, it will load the operating system or utility from the USB or DVD instead of the internal storage.

The specific steps and software required can vary depending on the operating system being installed or the utility being used. Common uses include installing Windows, macOS, or various Linux distributions. It is also essential for system administrators and advanced users who need to perform maintenance or troubleshooting tasks that cannot be done while the main operating system is running.