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USB HDD Not Detected in BIOS

FanPc -  
jee pee Posted messages 31884 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   -
Hello,

Recently, I picked up an old PC to install Linux on it.
I started by putting the compatible ISO onto a USB stick using Rufus. Then, I went to the BIOS to choose which device should boot first. However, all the devices were there: N/A, LS120, Hard Disk, CDROM, ZIP100, USB-FDD,
USB-ZIP, USB-CDROM, LAN, and Disabled. But the option
USB HDD was missing. I've tried all the options starting with USB and even used other USB sticks, but it doesn't detect them. I have 2 possible solutions, but I'm not sure if they are feasible:

1. Install or update to a newer BIOS
2. Change the USB stick from USB-HDD to USB-FDD

Let me know if you have any better ideas ;D

And here's the complete PC configuration if needed:

Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 3.06GHz, 3066 MHz, 1 core(s), 1 logical processor(s)
Total Physical Memory (RAM): 1024.00 MB
BIOS Version/Date: Phoenix Technologies, LTD R01-D0, 03/08/2006
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Business
Version: 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2 Build 6002
Manufacturer: ACER
Model: Power S285

And if you want a glimpse of the PC:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-AcerPower-MiniTower-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B000G61GG0

Thank you in advance for your help.

3 answers

  1.
    jee pee Posted messages 31884 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   9 979
     
    Hello,

    In times past, on PCs that did not boot from USB, I used Plop Boot Manager: https://www.plop.at/en/bootmanager/index.html

    An ISO to be burned onto a CD, you boot from the CD and it offers the option to boot from a USB device.

    --
            a stranger is a friend you haven't met yet.
    1
    1. FanPc
       
      Thank you! I just watched a video on this topic and it's really for 90s PCs... I'm sure it's going to work, I'll keep you updated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQN25DeTGAw&ab_channel=MichaelMJDMichaelMJDValid%C3%A9
      0
      1. jee pee Posted messages 31884 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   9 979 > FanPc
         
        it's true it worked well. I looked at a zip of version 5 to download and inside, there's an iso to burn a cd and also a floppy disk image, if your pc has a floppy drive

        the last times I used PLOP it was on virtual machines, VmWare not handling usb boot, it proved useful again.

        in the video, there's a gateway pc ;-) I had the same pc, the first usb ports, we didn't know what they could be for because the OS, the first version of Win95 didn't manage usb, we had to wait for version OSR2 if I remember correctly. Back then, we couldn't imagine that usb would have such importance in the future. Now it launches a usb with Hiren's boot 15.2 a must-have of pc tools, old as well now
        0
      2. FanPc > jee pee Posted messages 31884 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention  
         
        Re-hello! I preferred to take a floppy disk to put the plop iso image on. Here is the iso image that I found to put on a floppy disk (direct download): http://bilougates.fr/files/BootMasterCD/plpbt.img | 1440 KB | Is this the correct iso image to use, and if so, what should I do next?
        0
  2. billmaxime Posted messages 50523 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   6 150
     
    hi

    check if one of these keys gives you access to the Boot Menu, where you can select your USB drive

    Esc, F12, F9

    the link to the page --> click here

    see you

    --
    the radiation level is higher at the employment office than at Chernobyl
    0
    1. FanPc
       
      No, I've already tried, it's the F12 key and it gives me the same options...
      0
  3. billmaxime Posted messages 50523 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   6 150
     
    re

    ok, but have you seen the message from jee pee, whom I greet by the way --> click here

    @+

    --
    the radiation level is higher at the unemployment office than in Chernobyl
    0