OSDev.org

I was just reading circle's post and I was wondering, does any one know how to put your OS on a USB key? Like, what program? I too have been meanning to drop the whole floppy disk thing [not enough people have them any more].

I am using Windows XP sp2, just in case that has any issues.
Right now I am using PartCopy, so if there is anything similar to that, that would be great!

Thanks in advance,

I think circle is the only one with usb boot experience.

Perhaps this usb1-2 spec. can help you:
http://www.usb.org/developers/devclass_docs/HID1_11.pdf
http://www.usb.org/developers/docs/usb_20_02212005.zip
Search for boot!

Thanks,

Just downloaded those specs, i'll post back if I figure it out.

Hi Phibred, do you intend booting XP off the USB device or your own code?

You can boot DOS, Linux, Windows or your own OS off USB flash drives with no problem, though I wouldn't recommend it for Windows as it has high write cycles that will kill your flash drive quickly in theory.

.....Circle

It would be for my own OS.
Circle I was wondering what program(s) you were using to write to the flash drive, something like Partcopy maybe?

Perhaps somebody could write a tutorial or someting

Sounds like a good idea. I'd imagine it'd be a pretty popular alternative to the slower, finicky, and older floppy boot mechanism.

And, perhaps more interesting, a viable solution for embedded systems (which would definitly interest myself)

--Jeff

Now only if we could get Circle to share his findings

I would be happy to write the tutorial if I knew where to start.

bump...

Come on Circle, you know you want to tell us