Bootable disk

Alternatively referred to as a startup disk or boot disk, a bootable disk is a floppy diskette or other media that contain special files that enable it to boot from the disk and not the hard drive. Commonly this diskette is used to troubleshoot the computer or allow the user to copy files when a computer is down.

Tip: A "bootable disk" refers to a floppy diskette. If you're referring to a CD or DVD it is known as a "boot disc" or "restore disc".

Also see: Boot device, Boot sequence, Floppy definitions