Laptops :: IBM Laptop G41 - Booting problems

I can easily boot this laptop from the cd, and then create either a USB-ZIP or a USB-HDD, but, neither of these will let me boot the laptop.  Each giving me a "Missing Operationg System" message.  The bios boot device is listed as USB-HDD, and that's what I'm trying to ge to work with no joy.  I did also try a USB-ZIP and got the same error messages.  I've upgraded the bios, and am not sure what else I can do.  I find it odd that the CD works fine, and not the USB (I'm using 1.5).  Any ideas would be appreciated Thanks.

Thanks for the advice but it was a no go.  The bios has a 'quick' or 'diagnostic' boot mode, I tried in diagnostic, it does take much longer to boot, but comes up with the same mission os message.  This laptop has 4 usb ports 2 on the left side and 2 in the back, I have now tried the diagonstic boot on all 4, no joy.  There is no option to allow usb kbd emulation in the bios.  I did also try making a stick with RC2, same results.

I can't help thinking that this isn't some IBM issue, but I've searched for info on booting via usb on their site, and upgraded my bios to the latest level without any luck. LOL, and the CD works