View Full Version : USB Flash Drive
bisk
Jul 4th, 2006, 08:36 AM
I bought one of the SanDisk drives from Costco last week and I would like to put Windows on it so that I can boot to it if I ever need to diagnose someone's computer. What programs would you guys recommend that I put on it? Would there be a better alternative to Windows PE on it?
Gee
Jul 4th, 2006, 12:53 PM
Wouldn't it be better to do this from a CD instead of a flash drive?
Daijoubu
Jul 4th, 2006, 12:56 PM
Use linux :)
Codegen
Jul 4th, 2006, 02:48 PM
Use linux :)
I'd recommend Damn Small Linux for this application.
It's only a 50MB ISO. I think you have to have a proper flash drive as I can't get it to work on my Coby MP3 player :/
cwb27
Jul 4th, 2006, 02:52 PM
I know a few people who have used Bart PE and really enjoy its capabilities more so than Win PE.
bisk
Jul 5th, 2006, 07:25 AM
Thanks for the ideas guys. I think I'm going to go with Bart's. Now I just need to find some apps to put on it too. I've got 1GB to fill :D
mopslik
Jul 5th, 2006, 09:05 AM
Keep in mind that slightly older computers (including mine, < 2 years old) cannot boot from USB, so you might be limited in the computers you can diagnose.
Codegen
Jul 5th, 2006, 11:06 AM
Off topic: What is an EHCD HDD/FDD? I found those two options on my crapper rig.
mopslik
Jul 5th, 2006, 11:31 AM
Enhanced Host Controller Driver, Hard Disk Drive / Floppy Disk Drive
Or so I'd assume.
Codegen
Jul 5th, 2006, 11:44 AM
But waht are they for?
mopslik
Jul 5th, 2006, 11:52 AM
They usually relate to USB functionality.
Codegen
Jul 5th, 2006, 11:53 AM
But this is on an old C466? (Motherboard in the crapper was from an eMachines eToweR)
magical
Jul 5th, 2006, 04:28 PM
I bought one of the SanDisk drives from Costco last week and I would like to put Windows on it so that I can boot to it if I ever need to diagnose someone's computer. What programs would you guys recommend that I put on it? Would there be a better alternative to Windows PE on it?
Why not just download knoppix and use this to transfer stuff from a dead pc. ... you wont get a bootable windows on a usb disk because every persons machine is dif and the drivers are loaded for your machine and not necessarly everyone elses. this isn't the same for knoppix...
You might also want to make a diagnostic boot cd aswell, there are lots out there for free, but usually you wouldn't run a diagnostic in the field cause it takes so long to see if the computer has a issue.