Bootable USB key + format / fdisk
Discussion
Never done it, but if I was going to....
use sys X: from a win9X machine with the USB thingy as drive X: to put the system files on it, then copy the 9X format/fdisk commands to the USB stick.
On target PC, bios will install USB thingy with a drive letter. You've already put the necessary files on the USB so change to it's drive letter and format C:
use sys X: from a win9X machine with the USB thingy as drive X: to put the system files on it, then copy the 9X format/fdisk commands to the USB stick.
On target PC, bios will install USB thingy with a drive letter. You've already put the necessary files on the USB so change to it's drive letter and format C:
pdV6 said:
Trouble is, that by making the USB key bootable it becomes C... which then makes formatting the hard drive in the PC (also C) a tad difficult...
But if you boot to the USB key and it grabs C:, surely the 1st HDD will grab the next available letter, i.e. D:
You'd think so... but clearly our test box is having a fit
Where did you get the fdisk from? Is it a later version - not a DOS version. Just in case its not recognizing the partition type. Does it recognise the partition if you boot from hdd then run the version fdisk off the usb key?
>> Edited by malman on Thursday 4th August 18:07
>> Edited by malman on Thursday 4th August 18:07
>> Edited by malman on Thursday 4th August 18:07
>> Edited by malman on Thursday 4th August 18:07
hmm... might have a look into that tomorrow..i have recently got got a external USB HD bootable with Linux installed (ie a external drive that i can boot Linux from).
anyway if you want to make a USB key bootable you need to place a MBR onthe USB key.
1) insert USB key in USB port. boot up computer, if the key is recognised on BIOS boot up then the chipset supports the USB keys on boot up. this might flash past rather quickly!
2) insert XP recovery disk leave in USB key and re boot computer.go through the usal XP recovery menu pick the command prompt section. find the USB key drive (eg might be g: drive).
3) type in FIXMBR G: this will put a master boot record onthe USB key (ie so the BIOS can see a MBR to read from).
you havea number of options available to you when in command prompt recovery, so have a good look around for formating/boot partition etc etc. you can even install NT4 onthe key (stripped down version).
you will then have a bootable USB key with out a operating system.. you can then place the key executables on the USB key. or you could just down load a DOS usb key image from the web that will make the usb key bootable.
i hope that helps. if you have any probs i could give it a try for you and post up a more detailed step by step guide.
anyway if you want to make a USB key bootable you need to place a MBR onthe USB key.
1) insert USB key in USB port. boot up computer, if the key is recognised on BIOS boot up then the chipset supports the USB keys on boot up. this might flash past rather quickly!
2) insert XP recovery disk leave in USB key and re boot computer.go through the usal XP recovery menu pick the command prompt section. find the USB key drive (eg might be g: drive).
3) type in FIXMBR G: this will put a master boot record onthe USB key (ie so the BIOS can see a MBR to read from).
you havea number of options available to you when in command prompt recovery, so have a good look around for formating/boot partition etc etc. you can even install NT4 onthe key (stripped down version).
you will then have a bootable USB key with out a operating system.. you can then place the key executables on the USB key. or you could just down load a DOS usb key image from the web that will make the usb key bootable.
i hope that helps. if you have any probs i could give it a try for you and post up a more detailed step by step guide.
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