SD CARD as bootdisk?

[clnmckec]

is it possible to say get a windows bootdisk running from SD card?

[kernow]

if your BIOS supports USB device booting, and you use a USB-SD adapter, I don't see why not.

I'm not sure how you'd format it up as a system disk, maybe image a floppy boot image onto there.

[oblivion_6]

aye you can m8

my mobo (A8N32-SLI Deluxe) lets you select one of the built in memory slots as a boot priority.

Its mobo dependant mind

[clnmckec]

noo i know it can boot from sd card but i didnt think you could just copy the files from say the A:\ to the SD card? and its then bootable i think there is another couple of steps correct me if im wrong though..
i mean actually say a windows bootdisk running from the sd card?

[kernow]

... you could image an 1.4MB image from bootdisk.com on there to see if it works.

you might even be able to format a: /s from a DOS window.

.. or try copying the files over.

[Number45]

If you right click on the drive from within Windows XP and select format, there's an option to create a startup disk. Haven't done it for a while though so I'm not sure if the option still exists or has any requirements etc.

[kernow]

correct - its still there, but I think it only shows up on floppies.

who needs dos boot disks nowadays? I use linux livecd's

bootdisk.com has a cd image you could always download too

[capcom_suicide]

You can certainly do this.

USB sticks, (Or SD cards in caddy) are much quicker than Floppy or CD drives, so perfect for tasks like "Disk Imaging" where you just need the NIC drivers and imaging software up and running in DOS etc.

See http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Beaten to it..

Anyway, here is a cook book for your USB device:

http://www.bootdisk.com/pendrive.htm

Have fun.

[clnmckec]

You can certainly do this.

USB sticks, (Or SD cards in caddy) are much quicker than Floppy or CD drives, so perfect for tasks like "Disk Imaging" where you just need the NIC drivers and imaging software up and running in DOS etc.

See http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Beaten to it..

Anyway, here is a cook book for your USB device:

http://www.bootdisk.com/pendrive.htm

Have fun.

cheers mate thats what i need it for fingers crossed it works basically looking for a boot disk to go in and format the drive then do a fresh install of windows! so obviously need the cd drivers from the bootdisk

[kernow]

You don't need to format a drive to install windows

you can just format it in the install , or delete and recreate the partition or whatever.

[djtickle]

Yup to install windows if you boot from the CD within the first set of blue screens is its own partition manager were u can delete the old partition and choose to create a new one. If your installing Vista its even eaiser just boot.

Also if you have a bootable floopy you can just copy the files from that to your SD card or USB pen and it will work as long as your PC has the option to boot from a USB device. If not check your motherboard website maybe for a bios update that allows you to do it. Prob not worth the hassle thou.

[clnmckec]

You don't need to format a drive to install windows

you can just format it in the install , or delete and recreate the partition or whatever.

its cool mate im aware I dont have to, its just a personal preference. just my new rig doesnt have a floppy drive ordinarily just used an old boot disk to zap it and start from scratch.

[kernow]

You know you'll only be able to format it to FAT32 with a DOS bootdisk right?

That and FAT32 has a 32GB partition limit .. Plus you'll only format the partition to NTFS in the install anyway. PLUS - FAT32 formatting usually involves just erasing the file allocation table, so all your 'data' would still be there anyway.

I'm just trying to get you to see, that its actually completely pointless formatting with a disk such as this, if you want to be paranoid and erase your data correctly, I'd recommend using 'killdisk' on the ultimate boot cd (www.ultimatebootcd.com).

[clnmckec]

You know you'll only be able to format it to FAT32 with a DOS bootdisk right?

That and FAT32 has a 32GB partition limit .. Plus you'll only format the partition to NTFS in the install anyway. PLUS - FAT32 formatting usually involves just erasing the file allocation table, so all your 'data' would still be there anyway.

I'm just trying to get you to see, that its actually completely pointless formatting with a disk such as this, if you want to be paranoid and erase your data correctly, I'd recommend using 'killdisk' on the ultimate boot cd (www.ultimatebootcd.com).

or use partition magic once installed

[kernow]

ok! if you want to do everything the convoluted, painful method

Not my computer.