USB bootable stick

[Lee`]

Basically, I have a dell optiplex sx260 that doesn't have a DVD/CD drive and won't boot from a external CD drive. So I'm going to try and install a OS from a USB key, I've tried ubuntu 7.02;

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2007/09...stent-install/

I followed the guide step by step and the computer tells me it's a invalid boot media.

Can anyone point me in the direct of a file that I can dump on the usb key that would give me a bootable OS, or even better a way I can install windows onto the PC using a USB key? Any help would be appreciated.

[Giraffe]

Can't answer your question, but Ubuntu 7.10 is out on Thursday.

[Lee`]

anyone?

[uchiha_itachi]

Well there is Mac OS 7 classic on usb bootable here:

http://nothickmanuals.info/doku.php?id=minivmac

And on a more serious note, check this out for windows usb bootable:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/09/...n_your_pocket/

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/#intro

[Lee`]

Right, so I can use the Bart PE program to create the iso and then dump the contents of the created iso into the directory of the usb stick?

[Lee`]

Infact, I think I now see the problem, I think the machine just won't accept the stick as a valid boot method, is there anyway to update the bios without a OS?

[MadduckUK]

can you not temporarily attach an internal CD Drive to it? (with the case off) then after installation put it all together again?

[Lee`]

I was thinking of doing this, but I wasn't sure how much hassle it would be. I actually have a external drive but the thing won't boot from it

[aidanjt]

Not as much hassle as making a LiveUSB stick boot the Windows pre-install environment, I can assure you.

[directhex]

in your BIOS, try messing around with what it uses USB drives as. history suggests many BIOSes will boot from USB sticks, if you say you have a USB ZIP drive (but not if you say you have a USB stick)

[Lee`]

Ah, I think you may be right as I;m sure I set up the USB stick correctly for ubuntu however it never liked it, I'll see if I can get a CD drive installed for installing the OS.

[finnrogers]

When you go into your bios settings, in the menu where you set the device boot priority, are you able to select USB as the first boot device?

[Fraz]

Here's a bootable OS if you still want it... just the standard files you'd get if you asked xp for a bootable floppy:

http://cern.ch/frazier/DOS_startup_d...stem_files.zip

I'd suggest putting them on the flash drive using this:

http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=197

The combo above is what I use to do bios updates.