Problems Booting DSL (Damn Small Linux) from USB or CD

[r11ckp]

Hey im new to this forum, im currently running Windows XP on my laptop but would like to change over to linux DSL.

is it possible to boot linux from either a cd or USB whilst windows is still on my hard disk?

Ive tried to boot linux from USB and CDR but i think im missing something, im getting a media test failure as it tries to boot up.

How can i boot my computer up in linux with USB?
How can i boot my computer up in linux with CDR?

I have already copied DSL Embedded, and DSL 3.4.4 to my USB deviceneither of them work. IS theresomeother software i need on my USB to help Linux boot it up?

Thanks, all responses are greatly appreciated
Rick

P.s. My computer will boot linux embedded in a window, running in xp but its very slow (1.2ghz processor )

[forever--faithless]

I'm not sure about the usb problem, but its nothing to do with windows being on the hard disk. So long as you are using a 'live' environment i.e. not booted from the actual hard disk, then DSL won't touch the hard disk until you tell it to. You should try checking your BIOS settings to find out what the boot order is, and whether it is compatible with usb booting.