USB booting :: USB boot compatability list



I've succeeded in booting DSL 4.2.4 installed on a Kingmax 4GB USB drive using a Dell Dimension 2400 desktop with BIOS A05.

Bios set-up as follows:

HD Drive Sequence

1. USB
2. System BIOS Boot Devices

Boot Sequence

1. Diskette
2. CDRom
3. Hard Drive

Fast Boot OFF

USB external hard drive and USB external DVD/CD Writer were unplugged

The Kingmax 4GB USB drive would only boot when plugged into a USB downstream port slot on myDell 1707FP Flat Panel  Monitor. When plugged in to the slots on the front panel of the Dimension 2400 boot failed. The slots at the rear of the pc were not tried due to access problems.

Note added 27 Jan 08

An obvious nobrainer maybe but make sure the Kingmax 4GB USB drive is plugged in with the makers name facing you if vertically aligned or facing up if horizontally aligned. This might save you a fruitless half hour late at night.
We have heard this before, that front slots often are probelmatic. Rear slots usually are not. You can also try adding the waitusb boot option.
I'm not sure if someone already stated any of this information, but I thought it might be of use.

Successful boot:

Dell Optiplex GX280 with A05 BIOS update
using SanDisk 256 Cruzer Micro Skin formatted as FAT
DSL 4.2.5

I used the Installing to USB HOWTO on the Wiki Method I, using windows and dsl-embedded and syslinux 3.61.

DSL works like a charm!  Using it right now on the above setup.

Word of warning:  when flashing the BIOS on the Optiplex GX280, DON'T USE rev. A08 to upgrade from rev. A04.  I accidentally fried an unsecured computer in a university computer lab by using the A08 upgrade.  I still don't know exactly what went wrong, but when using A05 everything went smoothly.  For some reason, BIOS revision A04 has problems loading DSL all the way.  Rev. A05 works without a hitch.
Well, I have booted several Kingston Datatraveler 128mb sticks with DSL on several comps.
They all seem to be high quality.
I used a Dell Inspiron 1300, the CD included with "The Official Damn Small Linux Book", which I think contains Version 3.3, and two Kingston Technology 2 GB DataTravler® USB Flash Drives.  I used the "boot install" scripts to create one USB-HDD installation and one USB-ZIP installation.  The USB-ZIP installation booted successfully.
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