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Create a bootable USB drive

#1 datarunner

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Posted 18 August 2009 - 02:07 PM

Create a bootable USB drive

Windows XP / WK23 Type based on BartPE / UBCD4WIN

This will work with USB drives up to 32 GB and includes excellent tools for virus / malware removal, backup, drive repair, network tools etc including MBAM, SuperAntiSpyware, Avira, ERUNT, HJT etc.

Before I begin with the Windows type bootable USB I'm are assuming the follow ARE TRUE

* You have a licensed copy of Windows XP / Server 2003 (as you are using Microsoft files you NEED to own a copy of XP / 2003)
* You have ALREADY created a working BartPE or UBCD4WIN CD or .iso with the appropriate BartPE directory on your system
* Your BartPE / UBCD4WIN build works without any errors - Test your .ISO / CD using Virtual PC


If any of the above ARE NOT true I suggest that you go to either the BartPE or UBCD4WIN websites for instructions on how to build these.

OK so you have your BartPE / UBCD4WIN build with appropriate folder (usually C:\BartPE or C:\UBCD4WIN\BartPE\)

You've tested your CD or .iso and they work without error

Now you need the tools to transfer the data from the C:\BartPE or C:\UBCD4WIN\BartPE\ folder to the USB flash drive and make the drive bootable.

Tools Required:

* HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool
* GoCoding.com's PEtoUSB
* Windows 98SE Bootable Floppy Disk or .iso image
* GRUB4DOS

Step 1:

* Download and install the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool
* Open the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool
* Select your USB drive from the drop down list
* Select the FAT32 file system
* Check the Create a DOS startup disk box
* Point to your DOS system files (Win98 boot files) location (usually A: or on a virtual drive), I usually just mount the .ISO in a virtual CD drive
* Click "Start" and let it go

Step 2:

* Download and install PEtoUSB
* Open PEtoUSB
* Check "Enable File Copy" and select Overwrite Always from the drop-down
* Click "Start" and wait for the file copy to finish

Step 3:

* Select all the files for GRUB4DOS and copy them to the root of the USB key.
* Allow it to overwrite config.sys (if prompted)
* Open config.sys and edit the second line to read: device=grub.exe --config-file="color black/cyan yellow/cyan;timeout 0;default 0;title find and load NTLDR of Windows NT/2K/XP;find --set-root /ntldr;chainloader /ntldr"
* Save and close config.sys

And that's it. I have tested this method extensively and it works on most systems / mainboards including HP / Compaq / ACER / DELL / ASUS / PC CHIPS/ ECS / MSI / Foxconn - You have to set the BIOS to boot from USB or USB HDD or USB FDD or just the flash drive itself.

Pretty cool for systems that won't boot

Regards

#2 mouseshare

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Posted 10 November 2009 - 07:52 AM

where to find the usb root key

#3 mouseshare

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Posted 10 November 2009 - 07:52 AM

* Select all the files for GRUB4DOS and copy them to the root of the USB key.
please help

#4 rshaffer61

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Posted 10 November 2009 - 09:56 AM

This is not a forum where assistance is offered. It is only for tutorials so you will have to post a new topic in the appropriate forum. In your case I would suggest the Windows XP forum. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

#5 datarunner

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Posted 18 November 2009 - 02:18 PM

Hi Guys

Sorry but I have been very busy and didn't realise this guide was live.

Anyway as has been said, please post any questions in the XP forum and I will try to help as best as I can.

Regards

#6 hammed

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Posted 30 September 2010 - 11:30 AM

Just wanted to give you a thumbs up :D for an awesome thread. Great info! I'm on my way to give it a try. Been wondering how to boot from the usb.

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