Boot from CD w/outboard USB CD drive?

[beaky]

Ol' "Build 1" seems to have freaked out, won't boot in any mode. Tried the CMOS jumper, even pulling the battery, etc... but no joy. Last time this happened I was a able to boot from the XP disc and do a repair install, but it's not working this time. I'm wondering if it's because I've been using an external drive that connects via USB...? I can try pulling the CD drive from Build 2, but trying to get more info first.
No floppy drive in this machine either, never did make a recovery floppy, so that's not an option. Any thoughts?

[ozzy72]

Have you changed the device in the BIOS so the first boot device is the USB one?

[beaky]

Have you changed the device in the BIOS so the first boot device is the USB one?

:-/
Um... selected "CD", but maybe that's causing it to look in the wrong place. I'll dig deeper, thanks.

[beaky]

I hadn't seen "USB CDROM" before, but alas, even that will not work. After loading a boatload of drivers, etc. the install program finally realizes there's a registry error and grinds to a halt. Can't boot in safe mode, can't run recovery console, can't do anything with it. Boat-anchor city.
I may be able to connect each HDD in turn to the other PC and at least try to pull off the few things I want to save. Damn good thing I recently put most of the photos and captured video onto CDs... also a good thing I have a second machine, or I wouldn't be able to whine about this on the Internet.

[NickN]

F-8 after system boot

LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIGURATION

if that dont do it.. and you cant get into safe mode,, you got big time corruption..

[beaky]

[quote]
F-8 after system boot

LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIGURATION

if that dont do it.. and you cant get into safe mode,, you got big time corruption..

[Brett_Henderson]

Here's a chance to show how little I know

[ozzy72]

You CAN boot from USB on most modern computers. Of course the ZX-81 has issues

[Brett_Henderson]

You CAN boot from USB on most modern computers. Of course the ZX-81 has issues

LOL.. I'll take your word for it. I was just thinking.. that of all the computers I've built, the USB needed driver installation  AFTER Windows was installed.. kinda like onboard Ethernet or onboard Sound.

Told ya I don't know much  :D

[ozzy72]

There is a rather handy bit of freeware (I think from HP but I'll have to check when I get home) that allows you to turn a USB stick into a boot device 8-)

[MrRooney]

Have a look here:
http://www.bootdisk.com/pendrive.htm

Has the links to the hp software and other ways to setup the boot from a usb drive.