Boot from USB

Hi there, I spoke to someone the other day telling me that he could boot his computer (IBM) from a USB stick with (DSL) **** small linux on it.

Now I've got a HDD with vista on it, inside a 2.5" USB drive case. I've tried to boot from it (changed the boot order in the bois) but it doesnt detect the USB HDD case.
oh I've tried with a XP installation on it too.

Can anyone help me as I'm sure it works on other brands of notebooks.

Do i need to change the boot.ini ??


Insane

 

http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/gadgets/boot-windows-xp-via-usb-key.asp

is that what you are talking about?

 

I think you might need to change the boot files. I have tried similar things with my Windows XP install and my Linux install (Ubuntu 6.06) on External USB drives (laptop hard drives inside). I never bothered to change the boot files, but if you change it and make it work, let us know.

P.S. - Now that I think about it, you might be able to just boot from a repair CD and use the repair console with the external connected, and see if it works. Worst case, you put that hard drive back in the computer and use the repair console to fix it. Good luck, and be sure to report back.

 

hehe thats wasnt quite what i was trying to do, but thanks for the heads up! looks pretty interesting. **EDIT** actually while reading further that is what i was trying to do! I downloaded that BARTS PE thing... looking more into it, cheers

@ CalebSchmerge, thanks! I'll try that, but the BIOS doesnt even detect the USB device , so dont think that will work, but worth a try anyway.

I did look around the net, there is a way of taking the boot files off a winXP boot floppy disk and put them onto the 2.5" HDD (USB) and then modify them into a boot.bin .

But I'm pretty sure there must be a better way?

anyone else?

insane

 

Honestly I don't remember if my computer recognizes the hard drives from the BIOS, but with my externals plugged in, the windows CD always catches them and is able to format or install to them. At that point, you should be able to "repair" that installation, I would start with trying to have the console rewrite the boot files, maybe it will pickup its current state and use that so it can boot.

 

riight is that that fixmbr command thingy... I'll have to look up how to use that recovery console, I've never been able to get it to work... even though I do know my way around dos, and how to work it


I'll have a look... cheers


Insane

 

I don't remember. With the recovery console and my recent adventures in Ubuntu, I have found that just typing "help" is wonderful, give it a go and see what happens. Good Luck, and keep us posted.

 

My VISTA will not boot (OS already loaded), Boot\BCD error {Forgot code }
1. have not figured out how to edit this file yet !
VISTA will not install to HDD in USB enc because it is lacking driver to see the HDD. 2. Anybody know driver what is required??

Vista will load SATA drivers from a jump/thumb drive

Asus Z71V does recognize the HDD in USB, but it is as 2nd HDD (BIOS HDD boot order), not as removable!
Have not tried booting XP Pro in USB enc yet cause it is on a SATA HDD!
3. Any one know of where to get SATA HDD USB Enclosure ?

4. What changes need to be made to boot.ini for XP to boot from HDD in USB enc? TY d8d

 

The same problem with Vista here. It installs, but no boot!

Ivan

 

There might be not enough power supplied by the USB port on your notebook. Try a USB key and then this:

Upon turning on your notebook, hit ESC. Some of the Asus notebooks will give you a choice on what device to boot off from, if you can see the USB device plugged in, then you're good to go. (It's also cool, because if you've added the password upon boot thing, it will still ask you for your password no matter what device you choose to boot)

You might have to change a few boot settings on the drive you're trying to boot off of.