Boot computer with USB-key and install XPE??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lucas
  • Start date Start date
L

Lucas

I was wondering if anyone tried this.
I want to create a bootable USB-key, which I use to install an XPE image
(maybe via Ghost or any other software).
Can this be done? Does WinPE suuport USB-key booting?

Any other suggestions on how this can be done? I want to install my
terminals via USB without using any extra power cables, because of the
environment and location of the terminals. Maybe a USB a USB-HD that doesn't
require external power?

Thanks,
Lucas
 
Hi Lucas,

You can install and boot dos from USB disks. There are even third party utilities that format and image USB disks with DOS.
From autoexec.bat you can start any imaging program intended for DOS.

Alternative would be to make your imaging programs that do not require OS.
Also you can boot Windows XPe from ram. (SDI file located on USB).

If you need working solutions for USB booting of (WinXPe, WinPE, WinXPP) then check this page:
http://www.m-sys.com/Content/Products/Product.asp?pid=29 or document:
http://www.m-systems.com/files/documentation/doc/uDiskOnChip_PB_0704.pdf

Regards,
Slobodan
 
Hi,

I tried several different methods, but I haven't succed to boot Dos on my
USB Key. I suspect that its not supported by BIOS but not sure since I can
boot from a USB Cd-rom. Is there a way to verify this?

What utilities do you use? Could it function on some usb-keys and not on
others? Could the MS cd-boot sector be used on a usb-key?

/Lucas


Slobodan Brcin (eMVP) said:
Hi Lucas,

You can install and boot dos from USB disks. There are even third party
Click to expand...
utilities that format and image USB disks with DOS.
 
Hi Lucas,

One thing that will work for sure (if BIOS support boot from USB).

Install/run DOS on computer that you will want to boot from USB later on.
Use format /S to format and place boot sector and programs on USB disk.

Please note that this approach will work on that BIOS and if you are lucky on some other BIOS-es. This is due to disk geometry
differently reported by other BIOS-es.

Regards,
Slobodan
 
Just some improvements to Slobodan's procedure:

If your Bios supports boot from USB mass storage class devices, what you
have to do is the following:
1) Make a Startup Diskette (on a floppy), on Windows98, make sure that you
have Fdisk on it .
2)Disconnect your Hard Disk.
3)Plug in your USB disk
4)Turn on your computer using the Startup Disk.
5)on the prompt call Fdisk.
6) If Fdisk will recognize the USB disk (as a fixed disk, or other), then
create a partition, if it doesn't, it means that the BIOS isn't configured
to support USB disk (if is supports USB mass storage class it should).
7) Turn off your computer, connect your hard disk, then turn the computer
on.
8) boot again from floppy, then format the USB disk using format /s - this
will copy sys files.

Now your USB disk should be bootable.

\Leonid

Slobodan Brcin (eMVP) said:
Hi Lucas,

One thing that will work for sure (if BIOS support boot from USB).

Install/run DOS on computer that you will want to boot from USB later on.
Use format /S to format and place boot sector and programs on USB disk.

Please note that this approach will work on that BIOS and if you are lucky
Click to expand...
on some other BIOS-es. This is due to disk geometry
 
That seems complete.

Although I'm wondering what is "floppy". :-)

Regards,
Slobodan
 
Also don't forget that with some USB DOK's need to have the BIOS set as USB
ZIP or USB FDD or USB HD ofr them to boot. I have a couple that boot when
the BIOS is set to USB ZIP and others that boot from USB HDD, so if your
BIOS has multiple Boot options for USB then make sure you have it set up
correctly.

Cheers
 
Also I did one today from Lexar that needed to boot as USB FDD, so if you
are having issues make sure you have the right BIOS Setting too.

Cheers
 
That is what I do to an extent, I can't run it on my target device as the
machine refuses to boot from a USB CD drive, so I plug the USB into a
different PC, have that set as my primary drive, I boot up into USB, use
Fdisk to make sure it is marked as active, format the drive and then run
Fdisk /mbr and then I have a bootable USB Drive which now works on my target
device.

We use these to ghost images in the field for our customer support staff.

So far it works great.

Cheers

Slobodan Brcin (eMVP) said:
Hi Lucas,

One thing that will work for sure (if BIOS support boot from USB).

Install/run DOS on computer that you will want to boot from USB later on.
Use format /S to format and place boot sector and programs on USB disk.

Please note that this approach will work on that BIOS and if you are lucky
Click to expand...
on some other BIOS-es. This is due to disk geometry
 
Back
Top