I found a couple of links for creating bootable flash drives that I found useful. How to boot from a USB device ... has good instructions, and this worked for me, and took about 20 minutes.
Then I found this utility: HP bootable flash utility
And it worked for me as well, and took about a minute.
The cool thing is, the HP utility is reported to work with many other flash drives - I have a no-name USB 2.0 thumb drive, made it bootable with the HP utility on a 1.1 USB bus, and then used it to boot a Via EPIA-M2 computer by setting the BIOS to "boot from USB hard drive".
Although I'm quite comfortable with the command line and a 2 page FAQ, running a GUI and clicking "make bootable" sure speeds things up.
Damien Stolarz,
is an inventor who's made different kinds of computers talk to each other for a decade. He co-founded Blue Falcon Networks to architect and develop networking software. In 2002, Damien created Robotarmy, a high-technology consulting firm.
Comments on this weblog
Showing messages 1 through 34 of 34.
USB Flash Disk
2007-05-30 01:27:25
Ellenhou
[View]
Features and Specifications
* USB 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 compliant
* Hot plug and play
* Supports Windows 98 / 98SE / ME / 2000 / XP, Mac OS 9.x/x, Linux 2.4.x
* Physical drive not required (except for Windows 98)
* Supports BIOS booting USB-ZIP and USB-HDD
* LED indicator: blinks when working
* High reading and writing speed: USB1.1: 900k/s and 700k/s USB2.0: 12MB/s and 9MB/s
* Storage capacity: 64M, 128M, 256M, 512M, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
"*storage media: A class flash memory
Email: ellen@chyzq.com
Tel: 86-755-29787919
Fax: 86-755-29787589
MSN: hayo.sales1@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.chyzq.com
Contact person:Ellen
USB Flash Disk
2007-05-30 01:16:41
Ellenhou
[View]
Features and Specifications
* USB 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 compliant
* Hot plug and play
* Supports Windows 98 / 98SE / ME / 2000 / XP, Mac OS 9.x/x, Linux 2.4.x
* Physical drive not required (except for Windows 98)
* Supports BIOS booting USB-ZIP and USB-HDD
* LED indicator: blinks when working
* High reading and writing speed: USB1.1: 900k/s and 700k/s USB2.0: 12MB/s and 9MB/s
* Storage capacity: 64M, 128M, 256M, 512M, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
"*storage media: A class flash memory
Email: ellen@chyzq.com
Tel: 86-755-29787919
Fax: 86-755-29787589
MSN: hayo.sales1@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.chyzq.com
Contact person:Ellen
USB Flash Disk
2007-05-30 01:15:21
Ellenhou
[View]
Features and Specifications
* USB 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 compliant
* Hot plug and play
* Supports Windows 98 / 98SE / ME / 2000 / XP, Mac OS 9.x/x, Linux 2.4.x
* Physical drive not required (except for Windows 98)
* Supports BIOS booting USB-ZIP and USB-HDD
* LED indicator: blinks when working
* High reading and writing speed: USB1.1: 900k/s and 700k/s USB2.0: 12MB/s and 9MB/s
* Storage capacity: 64M, 128M, 256M, 512M, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
"*storage media: A class flash memory
Email: ellen@chyzq.com
Tel: 86-755-29787919
Fax: 86-755-29787589
MSN: hayo.sales1@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.chyzq.com
Contact person:Ellen
USB Flash Disk
2007-05-30 01:14:31
Ellenhou
[View]
Features and Specifications
* USB 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 compliant
* Hot plug and play
* Supports Windows 98 / 98SE / ME / 2000 / XP, Mac OS 9.x/x, Linux 2.4.x
* Physical drive not required (except for Windows 98)
* Supports BIOS booting USB-ZIP and USB-HDD
* LED indicator: blinks when working
* High reading and writing speed: USB1.1: 900k/s and 700k/s USB2.0: 12MB/s and 9MB/s
* Storage capacity: 64M, 128M, 256M, 512M, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
"*storage media: A class flash memory
Email: ellen@chyzq.com
Tel: 86-755-29787919
Fax: 86-755-29787589
MSN: hayo.sales1@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.chyzq.com
Contact person:Ellen
USB Flash Disk
2007-05-30 01:12:38
Ellenhou
[View]
Features and Specifications
* USB 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 compliant
* Hot plug and play
* Supports Windows 98 / 98SE / ME / 2000 / XP, Mac OS 9.x/x, Linux 2.4.x
* Physical drive not required (except for Windows 98)
* Supports BIOS booting USB-ZIP and USB-HDD
* LED indicator: blinks when working
* High reading and writing speed: USB1.1: 900k/s and 700k/s USB2.0: 12MB/s and 9MB/s
* Storage capacity: 64M, 128M, 256M, 512M, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
"*storage media: A class flash memory
Email: ellen@chyzq.com
Tel: 86-755-29787919
Fax: 86-755-29787589
MSN: hayo.sales1@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.chyzq.com
Contact person:Ellen
The files you want are available from hp.com or mirror
Search on HPUSBFW_BOOTFILES (http://www.google.com/search?&q=HPUSBFW_BOOTFILES) or some similar variant
link to a better explanation (including links and downloads list of decent software, including linuxes and the boot files specified above):
http://www.apcstart.com/usb/
This only works if you have the files from a boot floppy, have a floppy drive to make the files or something else. I've searched for over an hour now on google for the needed files but they are not to be found. I did find half a million utilities to make boot floppies if you have afloppy, but who has a floppy drive in this day and age?
You can always download a floppy image from somewhere like bootdisk.com, and use a floppy drive emulator to extract the files (there are several I've tried that worked fine - look for either "filedisk" or "vfd"/Virtual Floppy Drive).
If you use a floppy emulator, you can even use windows to format that disk and extract the files, so you don't need to grab an image from bootdisk.com
Good luck!
Thanks Mr. Stolarz
2005-11-25 04:03:00
rubenrmz
[View]
This solution is working for me. I using with Symantec Ghost, to create a Boot USB Drive.
The Best Wishes.
Ruben Ramirez
Thanks Mr. Stolarz
2006-01-26 05:55:39
holiday
[View]
I could not find this on Symantec Ghost web site. This is the software we use to create our image and I need to create a boot usb. Help.
Thanks
How make USB thumbdrive boot disk and Read\write to NTFS partition
2005-08-22 14:39:19
rezak
[View]
First you need download couple utilities :
1. HP bootable flash utility:
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/hpcpqdt/us/download/20306.html
2. NTFS for DOS:
http://www.datapol.de/dpe/freeware/
Steps to make USB thumbdrive bootable and ability read\write to NTFS partition:
1. Format diskette using xp Select FAT as "file system" and check "create an MS-DOS Startup disk" under "format options"
2. Connect your USB thumbdrive to USB port on your computer
3. Using "HP USB Disk storage Tool" format your USB Drive select FAT as File system and check "create a DOS startup disk" option, "Using DOS system files located at:" the diskette created in step 1.
4. Change your bios to boot from USB first choice then verify that you can boot from your USB drive.
5. Using NTFS 4 DOS utility Click on "Create NTFS capable boot foloppy". Select the Drive letter correspond to your USB drive and click Next then Next on the following screen.
6. If successfull you end-up with Emergency bootable USB drive that can read\write to NTFS partition.
Quick and easy - err well I thought so until I typed the directions...
2005-08-19 04:49:05
Frapster
[View]
OK, this is the easiest way by far...you don't need to find any files, or disks, and it won't let you do it if it's not correct.
First, double click on the usb removal icon, click on dispaly device componets, then click on storage device and click on properties, then go to policies, and then select optimize for performance, then click ok, and close.
Now make sure you look and see what drive letter your usb drive is using.
Now go to the run command and type in cmd for the command prompt. Here comes my favorite command because it brings me back to my dos days.
Now type this is, of course substituting your USB drive letter for the part where it says drive letter here.
format (drive letter here): /FS:NTFS /X
Now, once this has been completed, here is the trick, open up My Computer, and go up to and click, tools, options, view, and click on Show hidden files and folders, and uncheck Hide protected operating system files(recommended), click yes to the dialog box warning you about this, and then click apply and then ok. Ok, now click on your C Drive and browse down the the files ntdetect and ntldr and COPY them to the base folder of your flash drive.
Now your done.
If this doesn't work, right click on the My Computer icon and then select Manage. Now go down to the Disk Management title on the left side of the window and click on it. This will load the logical disk manager and allow you to check to see if your USB drive has the partition set to active. If it doesn't, right click on the lower window where it gives the information to your USB drive, and select Mark Partition as active.
Best of luck :D
P.S. Sorry so messy, but hopefully you can muddle though it.
This works with *ANY* bootable disk/OS and possibly with any USB Device
2005-07-22 06:19:43
nakkii
[View]
Transcend JetFlash 256 and DOS files
2005-07-14 11:38:36
toominator
[View]
It worked for the JetFlash -- for the DOS file location, I simply put in a floppy I had formatted in Windows XP with the 'Create DOS bootable Floppy' argument, and it worked just fine (since those *are* MS certified DOS bootable files *grin*)
HTH
Using the HP software
2005-05-25 08:01:26
aawaitz
[View]
I tried the HP software on with WinXP. Because XP does not have any DOS boot files, it required another source for DOS. I tried various DOS bootable disks and CDs and found that the only one that it would not give an error message about was a true Microsoft DOS boot disk (MS-DOS 6.22). Secondly, it would not work with my SanDisk Mini-cruzer 256MB USB 2.0 drive. I got the infamous write protect message. There is no write protect switch on this device.
My conclusion is that the HP program is very limited in the conditions under which it will actually perform.
I read the post and bought a 512 PNY -usb2.0 Flash Drive from BestBuy (on sale:) and I get the same write protect error as chillyman (and maybe others). Try all sorts of ways and nothing worked. Funny thing is there is no write protect switch on it. Also checked web site and found no utils for this not even a phone number or email for tech support (of course it's 4am and I'm having trouble finding the trackball). Will try tomarrow and if all else fails, it goes back......29 bucks after rebates...hmmm.
Works with Sandisk
2005-03-18 01:19:51
theRentz
[View]
I use utility on a Sandisk Cruzer mini 1.0 GB.
Work like a charm.
Doesn't work with LEXAR 128 + VIA EPIA TC
2005-03-01 13:15:40
mhamrick@securitytechnique.com
[View]
So I tried the HP tool with a Lexar 128Mb flash drive and an VIA EPIA TC. I've been told different things about USB 2.0 support in the southbridge chipset. Specifically I've heard that the bus does "USB 2.0 protocol" but at 1.1 speeds. So... maybe timing has something to do with it, or maybe the good folks at Via just don't want you booting from a Jump Drive.
Doesn't work with LEXAR 128 + VIA EPIA TC
2005-03-23 04:39:08
Dayman
[View]
Hi,
Lexar have their own utility, just email them and as for it. I did. I can't get the Jumpdrive to
boot on my Mobo, but the utility put all the right files on the drive. I think it is an issue
with my MoBo? I have the makers looking at it!!
For those of you that are having problem with the HP utility you might want to use the DOS command fdisk utility and creat a DOS partition on the jump drive and then use the HP utility.
I found out that there are two things that you need to have before you use this software package. First is an USB 2 device and access to Microsoft boot files. It will NOT work with any version IBM PC DOS that I tried, you may have better luck then I did but I found that Windows 98 has worked best so far.
Worked for me
2004-12-21 10:44:02
IguanaC64
[View]
The HP utility worked on the random flash drive I had. I think there's very little proprietary art in making any flash thumb drive bootable. They're pretty standard.
No man, it didn't work for me... I have a SanDisk portable SD-card reader. Although it recognizes the device it can't format in any way (says the drive is write protected) and I did check so that the write protection was not on.
I have a Sandisk ImageMate SDDR-93 and Kingston 128MB SD card and the HP utility worked perfectly as far as I can tell. I used an IBM a21p laptop which has usb1.1.
Did you use the HP format utility with an HP device or did it work with something non-HP? The download page basically says it's only for use with "HP Drive Key or DiskOnKey USB 2.0". So I guess the other question is, did you also use USB 2.0?
People Have we forgetting our ways of reverse engineering, going to the core of the design to implement a rocksolid System? You ought to be ashamed of yourselves, here you yall our running to download the latest tool and hope it works..
WE ARE DEVOLPERS... THIS IS WHAT WE DO...
Here is my thoughts on this matter...
We need to approach the thought of creating an emulation package. We all know (with common sense) All bios's are not going to recognize or allow jump drive recognition. However forcing an emulation of an floppy Drive will be a universal rock solid solution that will allow any jump drive to boot on any system...
(must i do everything my self?)
I will devolop a emulation package, and test it.. when I am done I will create a new category on my forum at http://support.studio505.net When I have finished the package I will notify you all it is availble for download...
My name is Rockdrala on my website if you have any design ideas or you want to bitch about something... PM on there...
Look... I dont appreciate the negative post by Kymeria whoever that is on my site in the shoutbox at http://support.studio505.net I am currently working on this project for free and its going to take me time to make it... so keep your panties on... Some patience would be appreciated
this sure seem like a hard way to do everything theirs been usb boot floopy disks available for years now go to bootdisk.com. do some research for once.with the disk layout from bootdisk.com my input and a relative of mine.we made a USB boot floppy that installed a universal usb mass storage driver. on a laptop computor that had a corupt os no cd drive as it was a remote addon device.and it was unavailiable-dead?.but it had a usb port.used a usb cd-rw drive the boot floppy installed abasic windows dos-98 start up drivers plus one extra option USB-cd rom hard drive support.wiped the hard drive clean formated it.then installed the 98 OS from the USB cd-rw drive worked perfectly. could have most likely used a USB jump drive-key drive-pen drive whatever the manufacturer wants to call them all you need is a minial install or a 1 gig drive formatted with another computor copy the install cd to it and it should work. and yes alot of people still use and have floppy drives you can make a boot cd but if your in some earlier safe mode windows oses they don't recognize cd dvd drive in safe mode. and yes their are thousands- millions of user out their still using older windows oses from 2000 pro all the way down to nt 4.0 maybe lower.and other older oses too not just the current new oses. >windows XP, mac X and all the new linux varities
oh I suppose I could have used delpart to just delete the partion repartition and reinstall using the usb cd-rw drive. but it wasn't my laptop and didn't want the headache of it coming back so I made sure it was wiped clean.a couple of 1 and zero write passes plus formatting each in between pass.
oh and considering it was a real early laptop a 266 mhz system it didn't have usb boot options.or alternative boot options. but the boot floppy and usb additions on the floppy gave it all it needed to work correctly.also if you had a large enough usb jump drive you should be able to partition it put the system boot info from the floppy on one partition .and the install cd on the other.
Weblog authors are solely responsible for the content
and accuracy of their weblogs, including opinions they
express, and O'Reilly Media, Inc., disclaims any and
all liabililty for that content, its accuracy, and
opinions it may contain.
Weblog authors are solely responsible for the content
and accuracy of their weblogs, including opinions they
express, and O'Reilly Media, Inc. disclaims any and
all liability for that content, its accuracy, and
opinions it may contain.
* USB 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 compliant
* Hot plug and play
* Supports Windows 98 / 98SE / ME / 2000 / XP, Mac OS 9.x/x, Linux 2.4.x
* Physical drive not required (except for Windows 98)
* Supports BIOS booting USB-ZIP and USB-HDD
* LED indicator: blinks when working
* High reading and writing speed: USB1.1: 900k/s and 700k/s USB2.0: 12MB/s and 9MB/s
* Storage capacity: 64M, 128M, 256M, 512M, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
"*storage media: A class flash memory
Email: ellen@chyzq.com
Tel: 86-755-29787919
Fax: 86-755-29787589
MSN: hayo.sales1@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.chyzq.com
Contact person:Ellen