Boot from USB

Forum: DSL Tips and Tricks
Topic: Boot from USB
started by: Rich3

Posted by Rich3 on Jan. 12 2007,20:43

I have a Dell Inspiron 7000 laptop which has a USB port but doesn't offer a USB boot option in its BIOS. Here's what I did. I burned a DSL iso image to a CD and booted the Inspiron laptop from it. Once on the desktop, right click on it and select Apps->Tools->Install to USB pendrive->For USB -HDD pendrive. It will ask to "Display your USB storage device information log ?" say "yes". It shows the partition name. "Enter the device name of your pendrive" Enter the target partition, which is displayed in the device information log. "Is this an installation or upgrade?" Enter "i" for installation. "Use DSL iso from [L]iveCD, from [F]ile or [W]eb? Enter 'l' for LiveCD. "List boot options." Enter your boot options here. "Choose language." "Ready to proceed?" enter 'y'. When done, to boot with the USB drive, connect it to the USB port, boot using the CD. At the GRUB install prompt, enter "dsl fromhd=/dev/sda1".

This is not a "pure" USB boot, but it works. The advantage for me is that, while using the laptop in a moving vehicle, most laptop mechanical parts that could cause data loss are off, given that the control of laptop operation was transferred from the CD to USB. Laptops can't withstand too much vibration and shocks before failing. Not to say that mechanical parts use comparatively more power than solid state ones. Now, if I could only figure out how to save the data to another USB key..... :laugh:

Posted by Onikage on Jan. 23 2007,06:31

Just a suggestion, but have you tried finding a small USB hub to connect multiple pen drives to?

If you can find one that does work, you might want to try rebooting with your CD, connecting your pen drive into the hub port you'll boot from every time, and then see if you can add other pen drives after you boot from USB...

I have a similar configuration on my laptop, but no real desire to attempt the above as I have it frugal install.