My USB drive wont boot

Forum: USB booting
Topic: My USB drive wont boot
started by: windrabbit

Posted by windrabbit on Mar. 10 2006,02:19

I'm using a Lexar JumpDrive 512MB. I installed DSL (USB-HDD), but I can't boot from it. I have tried it on a Dell XPS T500 and an Inspiron 1000 Laptop. I have set all of the right BIOS settings, but it still boots Windows. Can anyone help me?

Posted by JohnH on Mar. 10 2006,15:23

My computer would not boot from the pen drive (Pheonix 4 rev 6 BIOS). I had to make a boot usb floppy.

Right click desktop > apps > Tools > Makke Boot Floppy > USB Boot Floppy.

Posted by doobit on Mar. 10 2006,16:08

Depending on the BIOS of your computer, you may need a different type of USB install. I found that the USB HDD works great on my VIA based motherboard, which has a USB HDD option in the BIOS, but it doesn't work on my older (only two years!) Soyo motherboard, and there is no BIOS upgrade available for it.

Posted by cbagger01 on Mar. 12 2006,06:43

Also, if you own Dells, it is a good idea to update your BIOS from the Dell web site.

Newer Dell BIOS have better support for USB booting, specifically USBHDD booting.

Posted by polo_step on Mar. 14 2006,20:53

Well, I have to confess that I've finally met my match with USB booting.

I can boot my notebook just fine with either SanDisk Micro or PNY Attache 512M drives, but neither of my desktop boxes with current ECS momboards will boot from either, though the BIOSs have options to boot from either USB-ZIP or USB-HDD devices.

Any thoughts on why this is or what I should do about it? I mean aside from the boot floppy thing. I've used that and it works, but if the BIOS works with USB boot devices, it seems as though there should be a more direct fix. No?

Posted by cbagger01 on Mar. 15 2006,04:59

Try some other BIOS settings, such as "Enable USB Keyboard Emulation" and "Disable FAST boot".

Also, plug the drive into your REAR USB ports. Sometimes they won't boot up when using front ports.

Posted by love dsl on Mar. 16 2006,19:26

Check your bootsequence in your BIOS it may appear as a 2nd harddisk. :blues:

Posted by KrazyPenguin on Mar. 16 2006,21:17

Apparently if you install a grub bootloader with DSL it will boot on any machine.

I have found a guide, and will try it and make some alterations and will reply back if I get it to work easily.

Good luck.

;-)