Which USB memory stick is bound to work?

Forum: USB booting
Topic: Which USB memory stick is bound to work?
started by: john_uk

Posted by john_uk on Aug. 01 2005,21:08

Hi,

I'm running a mini-itx box obtained from DSL, with compact flash as hard drive and an EPIA 5000 at its heart. It works fine but I'd like to branch out into customising DSL and I need to find a USB memory stick that will boot this kit since it can't boot off USB CD-ROM.

The memory stick I happen to have won't boot so the question is: which USB memory should I buy that is bound to work? (written guarantee optional )

Posted by Rapidweather on Aug. 02 2005,02:13

I like the SanDisk cruzer mini 256 MB. That one has a big led light on the end, to let you know when reading and writing is going on. One can see it from almost any angle, not so on a lot of these devices, such as the Lexar JumpDrive. (not a good usb stick.)
The SanDisk has never let me down. I cannot say for sure if it will do what you want, but I would be surprised if it would not.
---
:;):

Posted by cbagger01 on Aug. 02 2005,16:34

I have booted DSL from a Lexar Jumpdrive Secure 1.0GB and alsa a Sandisk Cruzer Micro 128MB

If I was starting from scratch, I would buy one of the new Sandisk Cruzer Micro 1.0GB drives because they are very small, have a large capacity, and are very rugged.

If price is an issue, Circuit City has the Sandisk Cruzer Micro 256MB drive on sale this week for $14.99 after rebates.

You can also search for similar deals in USA stores at this site:

www.salescircular.com

Posted by clivesay on Aug. 02 2005,17:19

Sandisk cruzer micro has worked well for me and I've also booted from a cheap old PNY Attache drive without problems.

Chris

Posted by ke4nt1 on Aug. 02 2005,17:48

In booting my EPIA 5000, my Lexar secure 256 would NOT boot it.
My SuperTalentFlash 512 booted it with no issues..

Both were formatted the same way, with the same version of DSL.

Now I use a CD-2-IDE converter in it, with a 256MB CF card.
Never goin back to a pendrive. CF works great..

73
ke4nt

Posted by john_uk on Aug. 02 2005,18:25

Many thanks for the suggestions. It look like the Sandisk Micro Cruzer has its nose in front. I'm happy to go with that as a sporting chance.

Ke4nt: Thanks for your comments on CF-based systems. That's what I have in my mini-ITX box. I thought though that, in order to modify it, I would need to boot from a USB stick (since there's no floppy) and then load the CF "hard drive" with data from either the USB stick, if it's big enough, or from a CD-ROM on another USB port (no built-in CD-ROM drive).

You can maybe tell I'm starting out in this game. Mind you, I did use Knoppix the other day to rescue a friend's data from a BSOD Windows system. Beginner's luck, methinks.

John