usb key boot on laptop

guldo · 08-20-2005, 08:18 AM

Hello.
I'd like to put linux onto a usb key and use it to boot my (windows) laptop.
I can't.

I've tried with:
DSL
Feather
Slax
following several tutorials; the last one is this:
http://applications.linux.com/applic...7.shtml?tid=13

Unfortunately, none works.
The usb key is actually detected by the laptop BIOS; but when trying to boot, it just stands still for a couple of minutes on the first boot screen, then windows starts.

Could it be any hardware problem with my laptop, booting from a usb key?
My laptop is a Toshiba Tecra.
I can't use a boot floppy, since it has no floppy drive.

Any hint?

NetRAVEN5000 · 08-21-2005, 05:19 PM

Did you remember to install LILO or GRUB on your USB key as a bootloader? In order to do this, your USB key will need a bootloader.

SlackerLX · 08-21-2005, 05:25 PM

I have Puppy installed on USB. Works fine. Boots and loads really fast I use it as rescue on windows machines

guldo · 08-22-2005, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NetRAVEN5000
Did you remember to install LILO or GRUB on your USB key as a bootloader? In order to do this, your USB key will need a bootloader.

I thought that syslinux managed this; no guide talks about lilo/grub, but just syslinux.
Anyway, I'd try and install grub on the usbkey.
Thank you.

EDIT
BTW, is this OK?

Code:

# parted /dev/sda
GNU Parted 1.6.23
...
(parted) print
Error: Unable to open /dev/sda - unrecognised disk label.

NetRAVEN5000 · 08-22-2005, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by guldo
BTW, is this OK?

Code:

# parted /dev/sda
GNU Parted 1.6.23
...
(parted) print
Error: Unable to open /dev/sda - unrecognised disk label.

[/B]

I don't know - it's probably OK, though, since it's just talking about the disk label. You probably didn't give the disk a name, and that's what it's complaining about (I think).