HighterDK Posted May 1, 2005 Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 Is there a way to create a boot pen drive to start windows instead of a boot disket? My problems is that I need to fix the MBR, boot from CD is not working for some reason and I don't have a floopy drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted May 1, 2005 Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 I am happy to be corrected but, I think that as these pen drives rely on Windows drivers in order to operate, it would not be possible to boot from such a device. (Unlike a floppy or CD where the drivers are a part of the BIOS of the system motherboard). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HighterDK Posted May 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 Actually that is possible, especially since there are Linux distros that boot the intire operating system from a USB storage device, and many mobos have the option to boot from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted May 1, 2005 Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 You obviously know more about this than I do but, I have no experience of Linux. So, depending on your setup and motherboard for your Windows system it still may not be possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzman Posted May 1, 2005 Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 Well, yes and no. It depends on whether or not your BIOS supports booting from a USB Mass Storage Device. You'll need to check the BIOS boot listings, or your motherboards documentation for this information. If it is supported though, then it will work fine so long as there is a bootable MBR on the Flash device. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted May 1, 2005 Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 Here is a Linux version. http://rz-obrian.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/knoppix-usb/Here is a Windows version http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/usb-boot.mspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belatucadrus Posted May 1, 2005 Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 Both my USB flash drives have software to create a USB boot 'disk'. From the U-Storage create boot disk window, as used on my latest drive.To use the boot function, the BIOS of your computer should support booting from USB-HDD or USB-ZIP. Please contact your manufacturer for further details about boot support from a USB drive. The drive can be made as a boot disk running in Windows 98SE, ME or XP. You need to make a boot floppy disk and inset in to drive "A" to create a boot disk in Windows XP.Check the pen drive manufacturers home page to see if they host something suitable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HighterDK Posted May 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2005 Scuzzman: I will check to see if it has a MBR, thanks for the info.ScareCrow: Thanks for the links.Belatucadrus: I will do that, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.