Is it possible to boot from USB even it’s not supported by BIOS? Yes it is!
Recently I get to an ancient notebook (Acer Travelmate 2303), where USB booting from BIOS was not supported. I was wondering if some thing like BIOS update can fix it. In my case – it can’t. The options I have are: HDD, CD/DVD, Floppy or Network.
But I’ve found a very nice tool, which can add a booting option to the boot sequence. Thank you Elmar Hanlhofer!
OPTION 1 : Install to Boot menu on HDD
STEP 1: Download Software
To enable booting from an USB key, you will need to download a tool called Plop Boot Manager.
STEP 2: Extract and Install
Once the zip is downloaded extract the contest of the file anywhere in to the PC.
Once extracted just navigate to “Windows” folder and execute “InstallToBootMenu.bat”
You will get a black screen with a confirmation to install. Once all set few files will be saved onto HDD and the boot.ini file will be updated.
STEP 3: Reboot PC and select PLOP Boot Manager
Once all above done, you can restart your PC and you should be able to see Plop Boot Manager during booting of your laptop/pc.
Despite that the BIOS does not have the option, you’re now able to boot anything using the USB drive. Yay!
OPTION 2: Burn Live CD/DVD
STEP 1: Download Software
To enable booting from an USB key, you will need to download a tool called Plop Boot Manager.
STEP 2: Burn to CD/DVD
Once the download is finished, extract the downloaded file. You see the image file: plpbt.iso. Burn the image to a blank CD or DVD using whatever burning software you prefer.
STEP 3: REBOOT PC AND SELECT BOOT FROM CD-ROM
Insert CD/DVD into your PC and enable booting from CD-ROM/DVD Drive
Running PLOP Boot Manager
Other options to start the Boot Manager
But you have more options to run it….
Do you prefer Floppy, PCMCIA card, LAN or something else? For more ways how to run the PLOP please visit link: LiveCD and other ways to start the Boot Manager
Resources/other sites
– Plop Boot Manager
– Boot from USB without BIOS Support via PLoP CD
– Boot From a USB Drive Even if your BIOS Won’t Let You