Making USB drive bootable

Step-by-Step Installation:

1. HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool Download
2. Formatting the Flash Drive

• Install HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool.

• Once installed, you can run the program through this sequence of menu choices: Start> Programs> Hewlett-Packard Company and then click "HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool"
• Select the USB flash drive you wish to format from the Device entry.
• Select FAT as the target file system for that device.
• Click Start to launch this process.
• Once completed, you must then copy the Windows XP boot files to the USB flash drive - namely:

• x:\boot.ini
• x:\ntldr
• x:\ntdetect
  • Note: x = systemdrive. (if you know the drive ID where these files live, use that instead - it's normally C.

• To make Windows Explorer display these files (they're hidden by default),

• Choose Folder Options from the Tools menu.
• Click the View tab in the Folder Options window.
• Click the radio button underneath Hidden Files and folders that reads "Show hidden files and folders."
• Uncheck the box next to "Hide protected operating systems (Recommended)," so you can select and copy these all-important Windows XP files to the flash drive.

• Flash Drive is now bootable.

3. Set the System's Boot Device Sequence

• Make sure that "USB Boot" was set to "Enable," as shown.

(BIOS SETUP screen 1)

Note: Your PC's BIOS settings may differ but the key settings are usually named something like what you see here and in the next two screens.

• Under "Removable devices", Set the USB drive as the first drive, with the standard floppy drive second.

(BIOS SETUP screen 2)

Note: Not all PC's require that you specify Removable devices; but if yours offers such a setting, see if a USB device is listed within.

• Under "Boot Device Priority", Set the USB drive as first. Save the changes and you're ready to go!

(BIOS SETUP screen 3)

Note: The Boot Order is important; you want the USB device to be first in line. Once that's set, save your changes, and reboot.