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Spaceman9
November 7th, 2009, 04:38 AM
I used the Ubuntu 9.10 live cd to install Ubuntu into an 8GB pendrive. The problem is my BIOS was made in 2000 and doesn't support booting a USB pendrive. Does anyone know if there's anyway to boot a pendrive when BIOS doesn't support it? Thanks for any help.

juliopjuliop
November 7th, 2009, 04:54 AM
Actually yes there is, its an excellent little thing called PLoP, wich is a bootloader that loads usb drivers and boots up the first usb storage device found, unfortunately this also means you should have only 1 usb storage device in as it will boot up the one you want.

Well onto the install, you would need to burn this to a cd for optimal results. Heres a link: http://www.plop.at/en/bootmanagerdl.html just download the one at the top called plpbt-5.0.4.zip unpack it, there should be a file called plpbtin.iso and 2 other isos, ive personally had plpbtin.iso bootup all of the machines ive tried it on perfectly, so i recommend you burn that one to a cd. next step is as simple as setting bios to boot off cd and PLoP will load up, use the arrow keys to select the usb option and press enter, it should proceed to scan for usb storage drives and boot it up. Good luck.

Spaceman9
November 7th, 2009, 07:25 AM
I burned plpbtin.iso to a CD and it found Ubuntu in the USB pendrive and Ubuntu booted and the Ubuntu icon got bright and dim 4 times and the screen went black. I waited 3 minutes and nothing else happened. May be it's just because I'm using a computer I built in 2001 and I need newer hardware.

Ubuntu 9.10 works fine from the Live CD though.

Herman
November 7th, 2009, 10:53 AM
:D I found it was the plpbt.iso and not the plpbtin.iso that I needed to burn to disc to get a disk that allows one to use the arrow keys to select the usb option and press enter.

I was impressed that booting with plpbt.iso allowed me to boot GRUB2 in the MBR of my USB external SSD drive.

Sadly though, GRUB2 was not able to subsequently boot Karmic, failing with the error message:

error: biosdisk write error
press any key to continue ..._That's better than I though possible with this computer, I've never been able to boot the MBR of a USB drive at all with this particular computer until now.
I think plop boot manager seems like it has a lot of potential, I hope it's developers will keep up their good work.

In case it's useful to anyone, here are my system specs by the output of dmidecode,

sudo dmidecode
# dmidecode 2.9
SMBIOS 2.3 present.
46 structures occupying 1682 bytes.
Table at 0x000F0740.

Handle 0x0000, DMI type 0, 20 bytes
BIOS Information
Vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
Version: 0301
Release Date: 07/31/2006
Address: 0xF0000
Runtime Size: 64 kB
ROM Size: 512 kB
Characteristics:
ISA is supported
PCI is supported
PNP is supported
APM is supported
BIOS is upgradeable
BIOS shadowing is allowed
ESCD support is available
Boot from CD is supported
Selectable boot is supported
BIOS ROM is socketed
EDD is supported
5.25"/1.2 MB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
3.5"/720 KB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
3.5"/2.88 MB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
Print screen service is supported (int 5h)
8042 keyboard services are supported (int 9h)
Serial services are supported (int 14h)
Printer services are supported (int 17h)
CGA/mono video services are supported (int 10h)
ACPI is supported
USB legacy is supported
LS-120 boot is supported
ATAPI Zip drive boot is supported
BIOS boot specification is supported

Handle 0x0001, DMI type 1, 25 bytes
System Information
Manufacturer: System manufacturer
Product Name: System Product Name
Version: System Version
Serial Number: System Serial Number
UUID: E0958FC7-75FE-D511-A33A-2B5551A96CF9
Wake-up Type: Power Switch

Handle 0x0002, DMI type 2, 8 bytes
Base Board Information
Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Product Name: M2V-TVM
Version: Rev 1.xx
Serial Number: MB-1234567890

Handle 0x0003, DMI type 3, 17 bytes
Chassis Information
Manufacturer: Chassis Manufacture
Type: Desktop
Lock: Not Present
Version: Chassis Version
Serial Number: Chassis Serial Number
Asset Tag: Asset-1234567890
Boot-up State: Safe
Power Supply State: Safe
Thermal State: Safe
Security Status: None
OEM Information: 0x00000003

Handle 0x0004, DMI type 4, 35 bytes
Processor Information
Socket Designation: CPU 1
Type: Central Processor
Family: Unknown
Manufacturer: AMD
ID: F2 0F 05 00 FF FB 8B 07
Version: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+
Voltage: 1.5 V
External Clock: 200 MHz
Max Speed: 2200 MHz
Current Speed: 2200 MHz
Status: Populated, Enabled
Upgrade: Unknown
L1 Cache Handle: 0x0005
L2 Cache Handle: 0x0006
L3 Cache Handle: 0x0007
Serial Number: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Asset Tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Part Number: To Be Filled By O.E.M.

Handle 0x0005, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L1-Cache
Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 1
Operational Mode: Varies With Memory Address
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 64 KB
Maximum Size: 64 KB
Supported SRAM Types:
Pipeline Burst
Installed SRAM Type: Pipeline Burst
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
System Type: Data
Associativity: 4-way Set-associative

Handle 0x0006, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L2-Cache
Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 2
Operational Mode: Varies With Memory Address
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 512 KB
Maximum Size: 512 KB
Supported SRAM Types:
Pipeline Burst
Installed SRAM Type: Pipeline Burst
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
System Type: Unified
Associativity: 4-way Set-associative

Handle 0x0007, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L3-Cache
Configuration: Disabled, Not Socketed, Level 3
Operational Mode: Unknown
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 0 KB
Maximum Size: 0 KB
Supported SRAM Types:
Unknown
Installed SRAM Type: Unknown
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Unknown
System Type: Unknown
Associativity: Unknown

Handle 0x0008, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J1A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: PS2Mouse
External Connector Type: PS/2
Port Type: Mouse Port

Handle 0x0009, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J1A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: Keyboard
External Connector Type: PS/2
Port Type: Keyboard Port

Handle 0x000A, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J2A2
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: USB1
External Connector Type: Access Bus (USB)
Port Type: USB

Handle 0x000B, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J2A2
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: USB2
External Connector Type: Access Bus (USB)
Port Type: USB

Handle 0x000C, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J4A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: LPT 1
External Connector Type: DB-25 male
Port Type: Parallel Port ECP/EPP

Handle 0x000D, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J2A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: COM A
External Connector Type: DB-9 male
Port Type: Serial Port 16550A Compatible

Handle 0x000E, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: Audio Mic In
External Connector Type: Mini Jack (headphones)
Port Type: Audio Port

Handle 0x000F, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: Audio Line In
External Connector Type: Mini Jack (headphones)
Port Type: Audio Port

Handle 0x0010, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6B1 - AUX IN
Internal Connector Type: On Board Sound Input From CD-ROM
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Audio Port

Handle 0x0011, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6B2 - CDIN
Internal Connector Type: On Board Sound Input From CD-ROM
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Audio Port

Handle 0x0012, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6J2 - PRI IDE
Internal Connector Type: On Board IDE
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x0013, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6J1 - SEC IDE
Internal Connector Type: On Board IDE
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x0014, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J4J1 - FLOPPY
Internal Connector Type: On Board Floppy
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x0015, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J9H1 - FRONT PNL
Internal Connector Type: 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x0016, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J1B1 - CHASSIS REAR FAN
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x0017, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J2F1 - CPU FAN
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x0018, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J8B4 - FRONT FAN
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x0019, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J9G2 - FNT USB
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x001A, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6C3 - FP AUD
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x001B, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J9G1 - CONFIG
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x001C, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J8C1 - SCSI LED
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x001D, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J9J2 - INTRUDER
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x001E, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J9G4 - ITP
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x001F, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J2H1 - MAIN POWER
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other

Handle 0x0020, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: AGP
Type: 32-bit AGP 4x
Current Usage: Available
Length: Short
ID: 0
Characteristics:
3.3 V is provided
Opening is shared
PME signal is supported

Handle 0x0021, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: PCI1
Type: 32-bit PCI
Current Usage: Available
Length: Short
ID: 1
Characteristics:
3.3 V is provided
Opening is shared
PME signal is supported

Handle 0x0022, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: PCI2
Type: 32-bit PCI
Current Usage: Available
Length: Short
ID: 2
Characteristics:
3.3 V is provided
Opening is shared
PME signal is supported

Handle 0x0023, DMI type 10, 6 bytes
On Board Device Information
Type: Video
Status: Enabled
Description: To Be Filled By O.E.M.

Handle 0x0024, DMI type 11, 5 bytes
OEM Strings
String 1: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
String 2: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
String 3: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
String 4: To Be Filled By O.E.M.

Handle 0x0025, DMI type 13, 22 bytes
BIOS Language Information
Installable Languages: 1
en|US|iso8859-1
Currently Installed Language: en|US|iso8859-1

Handle 0x0026, DMI type 16, 15 bytes
Physical Memory Array
Location: System Board Or Motherboard
Use: System Memory
Error Correction Type: None
Maximum Capacity: 8 GB
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Number Of Devices: 2

Handle 0x0027, DMI type 19, 15 bytes
Memory Array Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0x00000000000
Ending Address: 0x0007FFFFFFF
Range Size: 2 GB
Physical Array Handle: 0x0026
Partition Width: 0

Handle 0x0028, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0026
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: 64 bits
Data Width: 72 bits
Size: 1024 MB
Form Factor: DIMM
Set: None
Locator: DIMM0
Bank Locator: BANK0
Type: DDR
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: Unknown
Manufacturer: Manufacturer0
Serial Number: SerNum0
Asset Tag: AssetTagNum0
Part Number: PartNum0

Handle 0x0029, DMI type 20, 19 bytes
Memory Device Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0x00000000000
Ending Address: 0x0003FFFFFFF
Range Size: 1 GB
Physical Device Handle: 0x0028
Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0x0027
Partition Row Position: 1

Handle 0x002A, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0026
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: 64 bits
Data Width: 72 bits
Size: 1024 MB
Form Factor: DIMM
Set: None
Locator: DIMM1
Bank Locator: BANK1
Type: DDR
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: Unknown
Manufacturer: Manufacturer1
Serial Number: SerNum1
Asset Tag: AssetTagNum1
Part Number: PartNum1

Handle 0x002B, DMI type 20, 19 bytes
Memory Device Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0x00040000000
Ending Address: 0x0007FFFFFFF
Range Size: 1 GB
Physical Device Handle: 0x002A
Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0x0027
Partition Row Position: 1

Handle 0x002C, DMI type 32, 20 bytes
System Boot Information
Status: No errors detected

Handle 0x002D, DMI type 127, 4 bytes
End Of Table

kontokuby
November 8th, 2009, 02:22 AM
I've just managed to start xubuntu 9.10 from usb hard drive on a pc without bios usb boot option. Plop is the way to go, but unfortunately grub overloaded with features does some problems (biosdisk write error).
Reading this thread:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+bug/439784
inspired me to edit /boot/grub/grub.cfg and hash first two lines of the ubuntu loading section ('recordfail=1' and 'if [...] save_env recordfail ...') and it worked. It'll work only until the next grub config update, but I'm not planning any, since it's a portable drive used only for that purpose.
I'm not giving exact instructions because none of the developers would recommend editing grub.cfg... Although I hardly understand why they make it all so complicated..? It ought to be just a bootloader and as far as I understand those scripts, this recordfail thing is just to change the grub timer off or 10s wait or something close to this..