Can't boot laptop from USB .. or DVD

[drawflex]

Laptop DVD on the blink.. wanna put linux on it.. but it won't boot from USB (been through BIOS with fine comb.. updated FW).. CDs work ok though.. got the internal floppy still i think to boot to floppy if needed.

Is there a way i can boot to cd or floppy, that load USBs.. then let me chain-load onto another boot image on USB device ? maybe live-cd or something ? I read this'd work.. but it's down MCNLive - Live USB :: Download

[cunny]

Whats the laptop draw?

[drawflex]

here in flat.. why ?

DOH.. read that as where's the laptop...

It's a tosh sat pro A10.. quite old.. been running xp till now... been in the cupboard for ages.
I remember i put xp on it via USB-drive , but started install from windows explorer on previous windows install.. if that makes sence ?

[cunny]

Make and model so i can look at the bios

[drawflex]

toshiba satelite pro A10

[sunnytailor]

Are you able to check if the Disc or the UK boots on another machine?? it could be that its not formatted to autoload

[GastonJ]

Try Use a Floppy to Boot USB Pendrive Linux | USB Pen Drive Linux

That's slightly obsolete, but principle is the same. That site is always full of useful info.

or http://www.ehow.com/how_5973853_use-...usb-drive.html

[cunny]

How do I boot my toshiba satellite pro a10 via usb port

Use hpformat tool to set a boot sector of the usb device ect

[drawflex]

Are you able to check if the Disc or the UK boots on another machine?? it could be that its not formatted to autoload

Ta cunny .. looking now.

[drawflex]

na, still no boot option for USB.. could it be it doesnt support big USB disks (16gb) ?

In bios or boot menu there's no option for USB in the boot order.. just re-checked USB-device and it loads fine in my 2 other computers... the LED on the USB-Key isn't even coming on until windows loads on the problem lappy.. when i done my homework before i'm sure i found other peeps in the same boat.. http://www.thecomputermechanics.com/...10-usb-boot-up
cheers for pointers.. but i think i'm resigned to trying something along the lines of what gaston has posted.. either that or pulling the HDD and putting my install on a small pri-partition

[cunny]

Try looking for bios updates

BIOS Downloads - Toshiba

[drawflex]

How do I boot my toshiba satellite pro a10 via usb port

Use hpformat tool to set a boot sector of the usb device ect

pretty sure that's a generic how-to, to change most PCs to boot from USB as the referenced key steps are wrong.. not specific to tosh sat pro a10

Try looking for bios updates

BIOS Downloads - Toshiba

Have done.. will do again... it's 1.3 .. which is most recent i think
EDIT : Yeh.. on most recent bios

[cunny]

i have a satalite laptop, so gonna check the bios on that, ensure something aint turned off in bios for the chipset as you say it powers up when windows loads

[cunny]

Ok format the usb pen with this

HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool - v2.1.8 Download - EXTREME Overclocking

Then copy over win98 boot files

Bootdisk.Com - Free Windows Bootdisks, Free DOS boot disk

plug in usb and reboot. Under boot device/order see if its there

[drawflex]

Ok format the usb pen with this

HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool - v2.1.8 Download - EXTREME Overclocking

Then copy over win98 boot files

Bootdisk.Com - Free Windows Bootdisks, Free DOS boot disk

plug in usb and reboot. Under boot device/order see if its there

Done.. ta..
but not there... tested win98 key on main pc and get a retro c:/> prompt.. no option in boot menu and no red LED on problem lappy in XP safe mode.. USB key LED turns on after a page or so of driver crap flashing up. Been through every setting in bios menu for anything relevant.

I did have a look at the easy stuff before posting.. and i think i'm gonna have to try something a bit more cunning.

Ta for pointers though

From what i've read before , chainloading from one boot device-to another seems the only way to go... sounds kool.. looks hard.

EDIT : been through this.. looks promising.. didn't work Plop - Boot Manager - Free Boot Manager, builtin usb driver, native usb, boot different operating systems, cdrom, usb, freeware, option rom bios
BBQ i n a while, so the laptop's going back in the cupboard again till next time i'm feeling masachistic

Thanks for scorcheo-fast help posts 9 reply posts in 3 1/2 hours