Bootable USB keys & USB readers for SD cards

[Jacques Hulaux]

Hello,

I am looking for advices about bootable USB devices, especially in the SD
(or other flash memory types) card area.

I successfully partitioned a small SD card with complete MBR & FAT boot
sector stuff, so it looks like a bootable hard disk for my BIOS, which can
boot from an USB hard disk.

Unfortunately, I did that on a second (old) computer which lacks this BIOS
capability while my primary computer has no SD/USB card reader.

I do know for sure popular devices like the Attaché Evolution (from PNY) do
not allow partitioning, as they combine fixed and removable memory in some
specific way. That fact prohibits using them as bootable devices.

However, there are lots of simpler (and cheaper) USB card readers, for
instance from Lexar, SimpleTech or IOGear, that seems more like straight
"bridges" between SD and USB, much like internal flash card readers.

I wonder if anybody had any success booting from a SD (or RS/MMC) card using
that kind of USB-hosted reader.

Any feedback ?

Thanks in advance.

Jacques.

 

[Rod Speed]

Jacques Hulaux

Hello,

I am looking for advices about bootable USB devices, especially in
the SD (or other flash memory types) card area.

I successfully partitioned a small SD card with complete MBR & FAT
boot sector stuff, so it looks like a bootable hard disk for my BIOS,
which can boot from an USB hard disk.

Unfortunately, I did that on a second (old) computer which lacks this
BIOS capability while my primary computer has no SD/USB card reader.

Why not add one ? They are very cheap now.

I do know for sure popular devices like the Attaché Evolution (from
PNY) do not allow partitioning, as they combine fixed and removable
memory in some specific way. That fact prohibits using them as
bootable devices.

However, there are lots of simpler (and cheaper) USB card readers, for
instance from Lexar, SimpleTech or IOGear, that seems more like
straight "bridges" between SD and USB, much like internal flash card
readers.

In fact many of the internal flash card readers use USB now.

 

[Odie]

Jacques Hulaux


Why not add one ? They are very cheap now.


In fact many of the internal flash card readers use USB now.

I just purchased a multi-card reader/writer that connects via an IDE
cable.

From Synchrotech.

It may be what you want.

Excellent company; first delivery was incorrect (at $34...) so they
shipped the correct item at no charge. No quibbles.


Odie

 

[John Turco]

I just purchased a multi-card reader/writer that connects via an IDE
cable.

From Synchrotech.

It may be what you want.

Excellent company; first delivery was incorrect (at $34...) so they
shipped the correct item at no charge. No quibbles.

Odie

Hello, Odie:

$34? Why didn't you pay in pounds, old chap? <g>


Cordially,
John Turco <[email protected]>

 

[Jacques Hulaux]

Hello Odie,

Thanks for the advice. However, IDE is a no-go for me (except if I add some
SATA-to-IDE/PATA converter, which sounds like an overkill).
I checked the Synchrotech website: no SATA-hosted SD card reader (could be a
solution as long as I do not use a laptop).
Maybe I am looking for too much: flexible, scalable, fast, low-power and, if
not cheap, affordable at least...

Glad I contributed to your (somewhat private) joke, John.