Learn how to make a USB drive bootable

by Jason "Hiner MCSE, CCNA" | Jun 15, 2006 7:00:00 AM

Tags: Jason Hiner MCSE, CCNA, USB, USB flash drive, motherboard, bootable USB

Takeaway: Flash drive and other types of USB drives have replaced floppy disks and CDs as the preferred portable storage mechanism for many IT pros. See how you can make these devices into bootable disks for rescuing a system.

Problem

In the Technical Q&A forum, TechRepublic member qpeabody asked, "I'm looking to make a jump drive, thumb drive, or USB drive bootable. More specifically, I'd like to make it network bootable. Can anyone help me with this?"

Solution

Some confusion quickly developed after this question was posted. Member haileyan responded, "There is no way to make a USB device bootable. You may be able to find DOS drivers to make the device work in DOS, but that would still require booting to a floppy first. Until motherboard manufacturers start making motherboards that recognize USB devices as bootable, you are out of luck. Currently they do not."

Actually, haileyan was right—as of a couple years ago many motherboards did not support bootable USB drives. However, now most modern motherboards do support bootable USB drives.

The bottom line is that if the BIOS on the motherboard supports booting from one of its USB ports, then you can set up a bootable USB drive, and several TechRepublic members posted links that show how to do it. Here are three of the best links that were posted:

• Create Bootable USB Flash Drive
• Tip: Boot from USB Key
• Microsoft – Recommendations for Booting Windows from USB Storage Devices

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Note

The text of discussion posts from TechRepublic members has been slightly edited for spelling, punctuation, and clarity.

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

USB Boot drive nzimmerman67 | 12/17/04

What's wrong with that? Roscojim | 12/17/04

It's not completly correct Yogi_Sco | 12/20/04

network administrators nightmare saintjohnhawke | 12/20/04

Must format C? Passwordchanged | 12/20/04

"C" is the USB drive Vetch_101 | 12/21/04

Is not the "C" drive the one you format Abraham Ocón | 03/04/05

Maybe just to flag that it's possible? rdsc | 12/21/04

Workaround for older systems zaferus | 12/31/04

Bart's Is Da Bomb! hatfira | 10/25/06

RE: Learn how to make a USB drive bootable matt.wreggitt@... | 07/17/07

RE: Learn how to make a USB drive bootable Gis Bun | 08/28/07

Hiren s_m_obrien@... | 09/06/07

RE: Learn how to make a USB drive bootable roy.evison@... | 11/19/07

RE: Learn how to make a USB drive bootable SmarkWoW | 07/23/09