I just reply to this old topic for future reference. Problem solved Just added in /boot partition a new partition /dos copied in that partition bootfloppy.img and memdisk (got from sys-boot/syslinux) than just edited grub.conf adding
Code Sample
title DSL USB root (hd0,1) kernel /dos/memdisk initrd /dos/bootflop.img
In this way I just had to connect my USB key and boot from the HDD choosing DSL from the Grub menu, but I still had to digit fromusb at the DSL boot prompt. So I decided to edit the syslinux.cfg from the bootfloppy.img using mtools Just added
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fromusb
after
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DEFAULT linux24 APPEND
And now it boots directly from the HDD to the USB pen drive installation very fast and smoothly, and without the USB stick it obviously can't boot. It's an old Dell inspiron 4100, not supporting USB boot and with a defective CD drive. Very happy with my new DSL USB install.
original here.
