OT: USB Flash Drive Boot

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William

I know this is kind of off topic, but has anyone tried the install either Linux or Windows on a 4 gb USB Flash drive and then boot their computer from it? If so, what would be the procedure and how would be of a benefit?

William
 
You cannot boot Windows from any usb device, flash or harddrive. If you want to boot your computer from a Linux distro I suggest you use one of the Live CD distros. The classic is Knoppix.
I know this is kind of off topic, but has anyone tried the install either Linux or Windows on a 4 gb USB Flash drive and then boot their computer from it? If so, what would be the procedure and how would be of a benefit?

William
 
Because Windows NT, whether 2000, XP, or Vista does not support booting from devices on the usb bus. That is being closely looked at for a future release of Windows (aka Windows Codename Vienna).
Why not Windows (2000 or XP)?

William
But not Windows.
 
I think it would be awesome if Windows Vienna had the option to run entirely from a USB Flash Drive. If it kept the hardware configuration files for your prime computer locally on the USB Flash Drive as well as essential applications such as the browser and email client, then booting should be almost instant. If the USB Flash Drive is large enough then it should allow you to install several favorite programs to the USB Flash Drive also. That way you could have your essential computer with you where ever you go.

If it were to run on another computer other than your prime computer, then I would think it should do a hardware check and then write appropriate files to the hard drive and then every time it boots from that particular computer, it would look for those files. while the first boot from another computer might take a few minutes while it identifies the hardware and configures the hardware, subsequent boot should be faster since the configuration files are already written

I would not want to see this as the only option. I would still like installing Windows on my computer, but this could really help in restoring a corrupted computer and saving the important data that is on it.

William
Because Windows NT, whether 2000, XP, or Vista does not support booting from devices on the usb bus. That is being closely looked at for a future release of Windows (aka Windows Codename Vienna).
Why not Windows (2000 or XP)?

William
But not Windows.
 
Agreed. There are however licensing concerns too. That is something for Microsoft to address, but I just point it out.

Have you considered the possiblities in using Virtual PC and running the virtual machine off of a thumb drive?
I think it would be awesome if Windows Vienna had the option to run entirely from a USB Flash Drive. If it kept the hardware configuration files for your prime computer locally on the USB Flash Drive as well as essential applications such as the browser and email client, then booting should be almost instant. If the USB Flash Drive is large enough then it should allow you to install several favorite programs to the USB Flash Drive also. That way you could have your essential computer with you where ever you go.

If it were to run on another computer other than your prime computer, then I would think it should do a hardware check and then write appropriate files to the hard drive and then every time it boots from that particular computer, it would look for those files. while the first boot from another computer might take a few minutes while it identifies the hardware and configures the hardware, subsequent boot should be faster since the configuration files are already written

I would not want to see this as the only option. I would still like installing Windows on my computer, but this could really help in restoring a corrupted computer and saving the important data that is on it.

William
Because Windows NT, whether 2000, XP, or Vista does not support booting from devices on the usb bus. That is being closely looked at for a future release of Windows (aka Windows Codename Vienna).
Why not Windows (2000 or XP)?

William
But not Windows.
 
Okay, you have my interest piqued...


Have you considered the possiblities in using Virtual PC and running the virtual machine off of a thumb drive?
 
I use a 4GB flash drive and have copied a virtual machine folder (XP guest) to it. The virtual hard drive is set to less than 4GB when I set up the vm. I have VPC on all my computers. I insert the flash drive and run the virtual machine under VPC on that machine. Works fine. I have some refinements to that. I have a couple of machines where I have much larger virtual hard drives for local data. When I insert the flash drive I change the settings for the virtual machine so it uses the local vhd as a second virtual hard drive (like a data drive). That provides me with a data drive should I have a need for such (I usually don't). I did it as a proof of concept. With exFat coming and thumb drives of up to 64GB it will become feasible to move quite a substantial virtual machine around this way.
Okay, you have my interest piqued...


Have you considered the possiblities in using Virtual PC and running the virtual machine off of a thumb drive?
 
In December when I am done working for the year, I am going to do more investigating into this. Unfortunately, right now, I just don't have the proper time to dedicate to fully appreciate this.
I use a 4GB flash drive and have copied a virtual machine folder (XP guest) to it. The virtual hard drive is set to less than 4GB when I set up the vm. I have VPC on all my computers. I insert the flash drive and run the virtual machine under VPC on that machine. Works fine. I have some refinements to that. I have a couple of machines where I have much larger virtual hard drives for local data. When I insert the flash drive I change the settings for the virtual machine so it uses the local vhd as a second virtual hard drive (like a data drive). That provides me with a data drive should I have a need for such (I usually don't). I did it as a proof of concept. With exFat coming and thumb drives of up to 64GB it will become feasible to move quite a substantial virtual machine around this way.
Okay, you have my interest piqued...


Have you considered the possiblities in using Virtual PC and running the virtual machine off of a thumb drive?
 
If the license can be adjusted by Microsoft to one prime computer (your desktop with a regular install) and one portable setup (on a USB flash drive that can be used on other computers). when you leave the Office or Home (wherever you are using your prime setup) you would still be using Windows and associated programs on one computer and the portable 'computer' could be considered the USB flash drive regardless of which computer it is actually plugged in since you can also plug it into only one computer at a time. which ever one it is plugged into, other than your prime computer, would be considered your 'portable' computer.

William
Agreed. There are however licensing concerns too. That is something for Microsoft to address, but I just point it out.

Have you considered the possiblities in using Virtual PC and running the virtual machine off of a thumb drive?
I think it would be awesome if Windows Vienna had the option to run entirely from a USB Flash Drive. If it kept the hardware configuration files for your prime computer locally on the USB Flash Drive as well as essential applications such as the browser and email client, then booting should be almost instant. If the USB Flash Drive is large enough then it should allow you to install several favorite programs to the USB Flash Drive also. That way you could have your essential computer with you where ever you go.

If it were to run on another computer other than your prime computer, then I would think it should do a hardware check and then write appropriate files to the hard drive and then every time it boots from that particular computer, it would look for those files. while the first boot from another computer might take a few minutes while it identifies the hardware and configures the hardware, subsequent boot should be faster since the configuration files are already written

I would not want to see this as the only option. I would still like installing Windows on my computer, but this could really help in restoring a corrupted computer and saving the important data that is on it.

William
Because Windows NT, whether 2000, XP, or Vista does not support booting from devices on the usb bus. That is being closely looked at for a future release of Windows (aka Windows Codename Vienna).
Why not Windows (2000 or XP)?

William
But not Windows.
 
Believe me when I say the Virtual Machine team at MS and the licensing folks have had this conversation many times. I have an MSDN subscription so I am covered, but I know what you mean.
If the license can be adjusted by Microsoft to one prime computer (your desktop with a regular install) and one portable setup (on a USB flash drive that can be used on other computers). when you leave the Office or Home (wherever you are using your prime setup) you would still be using Windows and associated programs on one computer and the portable 'computer' could be considered the USB flash drive regardless of which computer it is actually plugged in since you can also plug it into only one computer at a time. which ever one it is plugged into, other than your prime computer, would be considered your 'portable' computer.

William
Agreed. There are however licensing concerns too. That is something for Microsoft to address, but I just point it out.

Have you considered the possiblities in using Virtual PC and running the virtual machine off of a thumb drive?
I think it would be awesome if Windows Vienna had the option to run entirely from a USB Flash Drive. If it kept the hardware configuration files for your prime computer locally on the USB Flash Drive as well as essential applications such as the browser and email client, then booting should be almost instant. If the USB Flash Drive is large enough then it should allow you to install several favorite programs to the USB Flash Drive also. That way you could have your essential computer with you where ever you go.

If it were to run on another computer other than your prime computer, then I would think it should do a hardware check and then write appropriate files to the hard drive and then every time it boots from that particular computer, it would look for those files. while the first boot from another computer might take a few minutes while it identifies the hardware and configures the hardware, subsequent boot should be faster since the configuration files are already written

I would not want to see this as the only option. I would still like installing Windows on my computer, but this could really help in restoring a corrupted computer and saving the important data that is on it.

William
Because Windows NT, whether 2000, XP, or Vista does not support booting from devices on the usb bus. That is being closely looked at for a future release of Windows (aka Windows Codename Vienna).
Why not Windows (2000 or XP)?

William
But not Windows.
 
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