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Is this possible? (Floppy boot from USB, no HD)

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http://www.linuxforums.org – I was wondering if this kind of setup is possible? I'm currently running my Ubuntu Server Edition 9.10 on my old pentium III based computer. I need to run this computer 24/7 and I am annoyed with the noisy hard drive of my computer. One option is to change the HD to less noisier one, but I thought, hell, why couldn't I use a USB stick? The problem is that the computer is old, and the BIOS wont support booting from a USB device. I have read though, that one could use a CD or floppy to start the linux from a USB device. I am quite new with linux so I desperately need advice to do this. Is this even possible? What is the minimum size for the USB memory to hold ubuntu server edition? 2GB? How do I install linux to the USB stick? How do I make the boot floppy (or CD, preferably floppy though)? I would be really pleased if some linux guru could enlighten me with these. A step-by-step guide would be the best! : ) ~Murska (HowTos)

ziyi's picture
Submitted by ziyi on 12/28/2009 – Made popular on 12/28/2009

Stories similar to Is this possible? (Floppy boot from USB, no HD)

[ubuntu] Floppy Drive Issues 3 years 27 weeks ago

I have just installed Ubuntu 9.10, and it's not recognizing my floppy drive (3.5" 1.44), although my computer's BIOS recognizes, and will attempt to boot from it if a floppy disk is in when booting. Is there a way to get Ubuntu to access the floppy drive?

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up date problems 3 years 24 weeks ago

Gnome desktop. 64 Bit AMD processor Fedora 12.

Today 3/12 I updated my Fedora 12 instalation. There was 68 updates including kernal 2/6.31.6-145....

After the update ALL references to the floppy drive have gone!! There is no icon in "computer" There is no floppy in the File browser There is no floppy in theDisk Utility

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How I can use floppys under Ubuntu 12.04 ?.

No media in drive 3 years 28 weeks ago

I have loaded FC12 alpha 64 bit. I am pleased to see the floppy icon again the the "Computer" folrer, in "Places" in the "File browser" and in the "Disk Uility"

If i click on teh floppy icon in Computer (with a known disk in he drive) the drives LED comes on it makes noises and a window then says "opening floppy drive"

I'm new to these forums, as well as Linux, but hopefully you guys can help me. I've been considering erasing Windows off my hard disk to gain some space, but until then, I want to know that I can do everything I'll want to do.

I've followed many tutorials and threads on the internet, but they never work for me.

Some older bioses boot from USB in "floppy mode" (it shows the disk as a floppy if it is not partionned, otherwise the first partition is shown as a floppy, possibly with a limitation of size).

My computer's floppy drive works with other distros but not Ubuntu 12.04. I put in the floppy and detect it; but it will not mount. Can anyone help me with this please?

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