Booting a computer since a USB drive is a useful skill that
allows you to run operating systems, perform system repairs, or install new
software without altering the computer's internal storage. It is often used to
troubleshoot issues or create portable environments. In this full guide, we
will walk you through the process of booting from a USB drive on different
systems and provide some essential tips and troubleshooting steps along the
way.
1. Understanding USB Booting:
Before we delve into the step-by-step process, let's
understand the concept of USB booting. When you boot your computer, it looks
for a bootable device to load the operating system. By default, it first checks
the internal hard drive or SSD, but you can configure it to search for bootable
USB devices. This process involves creating a bootable USB drive with an
operating system or software of your choice.
2. Preparing the Bootable USB Drive:
To boot from a USB drive, you need to make it bootable by
preparing it with a bootable image. There are various methods to create a
bootable USB, but one of the most common and user-friendly approaches is using
the "Rufus" software on Windows or the "Etcher" application
on macOS, Linux, and Windows.
Here's how to produce a bootable USB drive using Rufus:
Download Rufus from the official web site and install it on
your Openings computer.
Insert the USB drive into an available USB port. Make sure
it's empty, as the process will erase all existing data.
Open Rufus. It should automatically detect your USB drive.
If not, select it from the "Device" drop-down menu.
Click on the "Select" switch next to "Boot
selection" and choose the ISO file of the operating system or software you
want to boot.
Adjust any additional settings, such as partition scheme and
file system, according to your needs.
Click "Start" and confirm that you want to format
the USB drive. The process may take a few minutes to complete.
If you're using Etcher, the process is similar:
Download Etcher from its official website and install it on
your computer.
Insert the USB ambition into an existing port.
Open Etcher and select the downloaded bootable image (ISO
file) and the target USB drive.
Click on "Flash" to start the process. Etcher will
format the USB drive and copy the bootable image.
3. Changing Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI:
Once you have your bootable USB drive ready, you need to
configure your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings to prioritize USB booting. The
process varies depending on your computer's manufacturer, but the general steps
are as follows:
Power on or restart your computer.
As soon as the manufacturer's logo appears, press the
necessary key to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. Common keys are F2, F12, Delete,
or Esc. The specific key is usually mentioned on the startup screen.
Once in the BIOS/UEFI settings, navigate to the "Boot"
or "Boot Order" section.
Look for an option called "Boot Priority,"
"Boot Sequence," or similar.
Move the USB drive to the top of the boot order by selecting
it and using the designated key (often "+", "-", or
"F5/F6") to change the order.
Save the variations and exit the BIOS/UEFI settings. Confirm
the save when prompted.
4. Booting from USB:
Now that you have set up your USB energy as the primary boot
device, you can proceed to boot from it:
Insert the bootable USB drive into an available USB port.
Restart your computer or power it on if it was off.
The computer should nowadays boot from the USB drive. You
may see a message like "Press any key to boot from USB" during
startup. If so, follow the prompt and press any key to start the boot process.
5. Troubleshooting:
In some cases, you might encounter issues while booting from
a USB drive. Here are some common troubleshooting steps:
Check Bootable USB: Ensure that the USB drive is properly
prepared as bootable and that the ISO file used to create the bootable drive is
not corrupt.
Try Different USB Port: If the USB drive is not being
recognized, try connecting it to a different USB port on your computer.
Reconfigure Boot Order: If the computer is not booting from
the USB drive, re-enter the BIOS/UEFI settings and double-check the boot order.
Save changes and retry.
Disable Secure Boot: Some newer systems have Secure Boot
enabled by default, which might prevent booting from unauthorized devices.
Disable Secure Boot in BIOS/UEFI settings.
Enable Legacy Boot: If your computer uses UEFI, try enabling
Legacy Boot or CSM (Compatibility Support Module) if it's available in the
BIOS/UEFI settings.
Check Compatibility: Ensure that the operating system or
software you are trying to boot is compatible with your computer's architecture
(32-bit or 64-bit).
6. Conclusion:
Booting from a USB drive is a valuable skill that gives you
the flexibility to run different operating systems and perform various tasks on
your computer. With the proper preparation and knowledge of your computer's
BIOS/UEFI settings, you can easily set up and boot from a bootable USB drive.
Whether you're troubleshooting, installing a new OS, or simply exploring
different software, this technique opens up a world of possibilities. Remember
to be cautious and create backups when dealing with critical data, as booting
from a USB drive can alter or affect your system. Now that you have this guide,
feel confident in exploring and experimenting with bootable USB drives!