One method suggested by other distros such as Ubuntu and Knoppix is this:
1. Download GRUB for DOS and extract the file "GRLDR" to the root directory of your boot partition, e.g. C:\
2. Edit your C:\boot.ini file so that it has the extra line:
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c:\grldr="Start GRUB"
E.g.
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[boot loader]
timeout=20
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(0)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(0)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
c:\grldr="Start GRUB"
3. Open the Linux ISO file and extract the Kernel and Initial Ramdisk files to a directory on your boot partition, C:\boot\. The files in question are vmlinuz and initrd.gz and are located in the casper\ directory of the ISO.
4. Edit GRUB bootloader menu C:\menu.lst so that it points to the location of the ISO image and contains boot information:
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title Linux Mint 2.2 ISO
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=1048576 bootfrom=/dev/hda8/*.iso root=/dev/ram rw quiet splash --
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
Using the correct /dev/hdxy block device based on primary or logical partition ordering. Software such as PartitionMagic or Paragon Partition Manager make it easy to identify the block device. In this case it is /dev/hda8 and is on the root directory. *.iso works as it is the only ISO image in the directory.
As you can see, I have used the config:
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kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz boot=casper ramdisk_size=1048576 bootfrom=/dev/hda8/*.iso root=/dev/ram rw quiet splash --
The standard LiveCD boot config is:
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file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper initrd=/casper/initrd.gz ramdisk_size=1048576 root=/dev/ram rw quiet splash --
The only option I have been unable to accomodate is file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed as I could not find the file in question.
Restarting the computer and selecting to boot into the ISO as normal leads to a BusyBox prompt and not the GUI so omitting the quietand splash options shows the following bootlog:
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... [79.891788] usb 1-2: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
cp: unable to open '/root/var/log/': No such directory
Done.
Begin: Running /scripts/init-bottom...
mount: Mounting /root/dev on /dev/.static/dov failed: No such file or directory
Done.
mount: Mounting /sys on /root/sys failed: No such file or directory
mount: Mounting /proc on /root/proc failed: No such file or directory
Target filesystem doesn't have /sbin/init
BusyBox v1.1.3 [...]
/bin/sh: can't access tty: job control turned off
Anyone know what's going wrong?
Would it not be relatively easy to design a piece of software that allows you to select an ISO from HDD partitions and boot it? I mean, so it could be used for all bootable ISOs?
If a HDD ISO booting method could be made simple it could also encourage novices to use the system. I think BeOS worked along these lines - no separate partitions, no CD burning.
Help appreciated. Thanks.
Come on, CD- or DVD-burners really aren't that expensive anymore. Take Bosnia for example: Given the civil war they had down there and given the vast destruction in some areas one might regard Bosnia as being a "third world country" ... but even there: Those people who have PC's also have a CD- or DVD-burner ... even if it's not the newest model, so what: it works and it's enough to burn a Linux ISO. 
