How to make a bootable usb hard drive

Diy-Computer-Repair can help!

To make a usb hard drive bootable you have two choices.

You will find more information on bootable devices in the Self Computer Repair Unleashed! E-Book starting on page 202. (view a sample of the E-Book) where you will find more through information on USB hard drives.

Note: You have to have an understanding of the boot process and either a bootable floppy or bootable cd.

Choice # 1: If you have a computer that you can disconnect the internal hard drive and boot from a cd or floppy here are the steps:
         1) Disconnect the internal hard drive (power or controller cable will do it)
         2) Connect the usb drive to the computer, start the computer with bootable cd
              (See my page on making a bootable CD)
              or floppy
            (See my page on making a bootable floppy).
         3) Once the system has booted into DOS, using FDISK partition the hard drive with one partition, make it a small partition, 2 gig max, ensure it is an active partition (See my page on Formatting a hard drive)

4) Restart and format the drive, add the files you want to the C: drive.

         5) TEST the drive!
         6) Reconnect the internal drive

Choice # 2: If your system does not allow you to access the USB device with FDISK.

         1) Remove the drive from the external enclosure.

Warning! This will invalidate the warranty on the enclosure if it is sealed!

         2) Disconnect the internal drive in your computer.
         3) Install/Connect the external drive in your computer
         4) Go into BIOS and check for the presence of the external drive.

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         5) Start the computer with bootable cd
             (See my page on making a bootable CD)
             or floppy
             (See my page on making a bootable floppy).
         6) Follow the above instructions on FDISK and Format.
         7) TEST the drive!!
         8) Reverse installation procedures to put the drives back into
             original positions.

I do not take any responsibility for these instructions! I will not warranty any part of these instructions. If you feel these instructions are beyond your capability to complete safely then check with a local repair shop about the feasibility of them making the drive bootable.

Good luck with your project.

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