how can i get my old HP Compaq NX9010 boot from a bootable USB key

[talhouni]

i am struggling to get my Compaq NX9010 to boot from a bootable USB key. maybe the bios does not suppor it, does anyone know if there is an update or a method to do it?

thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

When I look at the service manual it shows that it can boot from a "removable device."

It does not specifically state bootable USB key.

I know it can boot from a USB FDD but I don't know about a USB key.

Looking at all the BIOS release notes, none address booting from any kind of USB device.

I would venture to guess if you are not selecting "boot from removable device" by tapping the F9 key on the HP welcome screen, then that notebook is too old to support such a thing.

Paul

[talhouni]

thanks paul, i was kinda expecting it would be too old.. i was clinging to a hope that there was some solution.. thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're welcome.

Sorry there isn't a solution I know of to fix the issue.

Paul

[nuljet]

This answer comes a bit late, but might be useful for those who still want to know.

It is possible to boot from a bootable USB key.

1) I used the free/open-source "Image Writer for Windows" (https://launchpad.net/win32-image-writer ) to write an iso image (linux distro) on my thumb drive. (Note: they say it only writes *.img images, but chose *.* to find and select an iso image).

2) When booting, press F2 to enter BIOS setup, and go to the Boot configuration section.

What is important here is that they thumb drive will be found under the Hard Drive list, and not the Removable Devices.

Select Hard Drive, press Enter, and you should see your hard drive and thumb drive listed. Use F5 or F6 to put the thumb drive on top to give it priority.

3) Save and exit the BIOS setup, and reboot. You NX9010 should now boot the thumb drive.

Note that when booting and pressing ESC to show the boot menu, selecting Hard Drive and pressing Enter does not show me a list to select from; this is why I have to go into BIOS setup. I hope this helped.