Booting linux from a USB memory stick

[lemons]

Hi,

I tried searching for this first, several times, but the window just goes blank after clicking search, so I apologise if a similar thread exists; I haven't been able to search for it.

My question is do USB sticks that are used to boot linux from need a particular filesystem, or any other specific requirements, to make them bootable? Or can the BIOS read any/most?

I ask because my BIOS can boot from USB-FDD, USB-ZIP or USB-CDROM. Although I understand that these aren't for USB flash memory, is there any way to make them be picked up by the BIOS? Or could you give me any other interesting info?

I only ask cos I'm going to keep Puppy linux on one, incase I need it for whatever reason.

Thanks very much!

[rokytnji]

If you have a floppy drive also on your computer. Puppy linux has the capabilty of making a Wake Pup floppy disc that will find Puppy on your USB drive and boot it up for you.

unetbootin.com

[lemons]

Ah yes I did read that, but do you know of any other methods or things I could do?

Cheers

[rokytnji]

Not with the bios limitations you have provided. Maybe somebody else has more knowledge of doing this than I.

[Charles4809]

AFAIK you can use USB-ZIP, but you have to set your BIOS to enable USB-keyboard and mouse as well.
Your stick should be formatted as FAT16 before you put your Puppy on it.
I read this info somewhere, but did not try it myself. However it could be worth trying in your case.
Good luck with it.

[lemons]

Thanks, I'll give it a go