Test Your Settings

Whatever BIOS your PC may use, it's important to make sure all of its USB options are activated. These may include "USB Legacy Support" and "USB 2.0 Controller". Whenever possible, you should also extend the setting that governs the timeout period for how long the BIOS will wait for a response from the USB flash drive. Some of these devices take a half minute or more to respond to a boot-up instruction from the motherboard. Thus, if you see a BIOS option that reads something like "USB Mass Storage Reset Delay", set that value as high as it will go whenever boot-up problems should occur.

Many motherboards offer options to change the emulation type for certain devices, including USB flash drives. The default setting for "Emulation Type" is usually "Auto". If this causes problems, try other settings instead. First, try "Hard Disk", then try "Forced FDD", then try "Floppy" as your last option. For each new setting for emulation type, your computer must reboot for it to take effect. Also, you must reset the boot device sequence or priority in the BIOS each time as well.

Many older USB flash drives, especially those that belong to the first generation of USB 2.0 memory devices, have problems with data transfer between the flash drive controller and the BIOS. If boot-up won't work with the flash drive set to "High Speed Mode," try the slower "Full Speed Mode" option instead (if the BIOS offers that choice). This slows the data transfer rate from a maximum of 60 MB/s to less than 1.5 MB/s, which makes Windows boot up at a terribly leisurely pace. Your next step should be to make a BIOS update, so that the PC will also boot using the far faster "High Speed Mode."

  • The link to the HP Flash drive format program is broken - 404 error
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  • you should try puppy linux on a usb stick, its not windows, but its got its benefits, its free, secure and we,, you'll might enjoy one of the fastest linnux distros about
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  • http://bootableusb.lichy.ca/
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  • follow above link, it works!!! only comment, in Step 3 it refers you to step 1, instead it should be referring you to Step 2 command prompt window. Also, there is no need to download their software, i haven't used it to create a boot key, just start with step 2 right away! Best of luck and Thanks for the link post!!!
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  • looking for a"FREE" Mini Windows XP ISO for install on a Mini Netbook with only 3Gb HD .. PLease Advise
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  • I have windows xp sp3 iso with I386 folder size = 800mb
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  • dvijaydev46
    Have you tried SARDU? You can create a multi OS USD drive with that tool. It's not only limited to Wondows, but also can you add Linus, antiviruses and other troubleshooting tools.
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  • dvijaydev46
    Have you tried SARDU? You can create a multi OS USD drive with that tool. It's not only limited to Wondows, but also can you add Linus, antiviruses and other troubleshooting tools. http://mytechencounters.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/create-a-multi-bootable-usb-drive-with-linux-and-windows/
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  • gosim05
    Step "Install Windows" the sentence "Open Windows Explorer and erase all files on the USB flash drive."
    DO NOT erase all files, leave BOOT.INI, NTLDR, and NTDETECT. Otherwise peinst.bat won't start the installation.
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