USB booting :: Boot Failure - PNY Attache 128M



I'm trying to boot my Dell B130 laptop off of an older PNY Attache 128M USB Drive (like one of the first ones - paid like $50 bucks for it - doh!). Depending on which USB slot I put it in, I get "Missing Operating System" or one other error....

I've updated the BIOS on this thing to the latest and greatest for it from Dell. I've ensured that legacy USB support is enabled and i've tried making the USB drive the primary/first device in the boot order - no luck.  I *know* the USB drive works since I booted an HP DL380 with it at work today; yet this frickin' lappy still bombs out (does it on the Inspiron 6000 too)...

Anyone have any ideas? Should I look for an update to the drive or something (if such a thing even exists)??  FWIW, I used the dsl-2.3.iso file and the bootfloopy-usb.img from ftp.ibiblio.org when making it this morning...
Assuming your BIOS is similar to other Dells, you should DISABLE the "FAST BOOT" in the BIOS.

Then press the F12 key upon bootup and choose "USB flash device" from the boot menu.

This usually works for Dells and DSL USBHDD thumbdrives.
Quote (cbagger01 @ April 26 2006,12:59)
Assuming your BIOS is similar to other Dells, you should DISABLE the "FAST BOOT" in the BIOS.

Then press the F12 key upon bootup and choose "USB flash device" from the boot menu.

This usually works for Dells and DSL USBHDD thumbdrives.


cbagger - you da man!

The Dell has 3 settings for that - Fast/Thorough/Auto (if I recall correctly). I had changed it to thorough thinking that it was missing something along the way, but that obviously wasnt it. I changed it to "auto" after reading your post and bada-bing - came right up!

Thanks a ton. Now I get to go try to customize the install :)

original here.