Add Burn to USB as an option

[Bigbrit]

You have Burn to CD/DVD as an option, how about a Burn to USB as an option.

I know its a pain for you to program, but it would make life easier for the rest of your users and further enhance Nlite as the absolute best.

I know the guys over at DriverPacks would be in your debt forever.

[HowdyDoody]

Why not extract the files from the ISO and copy them to the USB?

[Bigbrit]

Extracting the ISO does not put the necessary boot files on the flash drive. many reader are looking for a clean automated way.

There are so many users on multiple forums looking for a really clean way to do this as the prices for flash drives are so cheap.

If you have any ideas I would be happy to read and try them.

Thanks for the response.

[HowdyDoody]

I haven't used USB drives, but can't you format them to include system files?

[jaclaz]

@Bigbrit

You do not "burn" to USB.

@HowdyDoody

If you just "copy files", it won't work to install from USB.

Further tricks are needed.

And there is already an automated program to do that, actually two, one batch based and one with GUI:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showforum=157

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=111406

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120444

jaclaz

[HowdyDoody]

@HowdyDoody
If you just "copy files", it won't work to install from USB.

I don't think you read my last post.

I know that you can format a CD and a floppy to include the system files. I imagine you can do the same with a USB stick. Like I said, I really don't know.

Edited February 17, 2009 by HowdyDoody

[jaclaz]

I don't think you read my last post.

No, I read it.

Once you have properly partitioned/formatted a USB stick and copied to it the system files, the stick will be bootable, but it WILL NOT work to install a 2K/XP/2003: as said, further tricks are needed.

The procedure took a few months of development and is available in different turorials/accompanying apps in the given threads.

I know that you can format a CD and a floppy to include the system files.

BTW, you cannot "format a CD", you can create a bootable ISO9660/CDFS filesystem (.iso image) conforming to one of the three boot standards:

• El-Torito floppy emulation
  
• El-Torito No Emulation
  
• Hard Disk Emulation
  

I imagine you can do the same with a USB stick.

Right.

Though the procedure is not as straightforward as it would be advisable.

Like I said, I really don't know.

That's the point.

If you really don't know, why did you reply to Bigbrit?

If you are curious about your questions, why not starting a thread with them?

jaclaz

[HowdyDoody]

I was just trying to help. You don't have to get nasty.

Bye the way, I can produce bootable CDs with Nero. Of course, they have to be RWs. Any fool should know that.

[submix8c]

Hoohoo! The OP has all info necessary for their purpose. Let it go...

[Bigbrit]

First of all I should have said "create a bootable USB drive" not BURN.

I have looked at many of the solutions out there and they are convoluted and hard to use and I have not been able to make a bootable XP unattended USB drive as I can with a CD/DVD.

My hope was Nuhi would accept the challenge (in his spare time of course) and remedy this problem once and for all and integrate it into Nlite and maybe Vlite.

I work as a tester with DriverPacks and know there would be many happy people there and maybe create a section in the forums to explain USB boot and promote Nlite/Vlite.

Sorry to cause all the arguments, not my intention.

[jaclaz]

As well not at all my intention to cause an argument.

@HowdyDoody

Sorry if I sounded nasty , just trying to make things as clear and as accurate as possible, if in any way you feel offended by my posts, accept my apologies.

But, again just for the record, you can make also a non-RW CD bootable.

@Bigbrit

Mind you, not wanting in any way to promote or "push" the work made by wimb and ilko_t, but they do work perfectly, AFAIK the unattended part is FULLY working for XP but not yet for Vista, ONLY when installed from USB HD:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120631

A number of users already "jumped on this wagon", lately siginet:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=128323&hl=

who already produced some very good contributions:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=129049&hl=

jaclaz

[ccl0]

i'll edit what i really want to say b/c i'm going to try to be nice

Edited February 17, 2009 by ccl0