Syslinux - Aug 2007 - [help] Use syslinux but can not boot from USB key

I try two ways to use syslinux for USB key (2GB USB key), and one
approach can boot from machine, another approach can not. Could you
review the following steps and tell me why #2 can not boot? Thanks
very much!

approach #1
steps:
mkfs.vfat -F 16 -n USB /dev/sdb -I (pay attention, it uses "-I" here)
syslinux /dev/sdb (pay attention, it is "sdb", not "sdb1"
here)
mount usb key and copy linux kernel, initrd.gz to usb key
umount usb key and boot from machine
result:  boot OK

approach #2
fdisk /dev/sdb
type d x where x is the partition number (you can simply type d if you
only have one partition), then:
?	n to create a new partition
?	p to make it primary
?	1 so it is the first primary partition
?	Accept the default  to start from the first cylinder
?	Accept the default to end at the last cylinder
?	a to toggle the partition active for boot
?	1 to choose the 1 partition
?	t to change the partition type
?	e to set it to FAT16
?	Finally, type w to write the change to your embedded key
mkfs.vfat -F 16 -n diagnostics  /dev/sdb1  (pay attention, it is
"sdb1", not "sdb" here)
syslinux /dev/sdb1 (pay attention, it is "sdb1", not "sdb"
here)
mount usb key and copy linux kernel, initrd.gz to usb key
umount usb key and boot from machine
result: boot Failed

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bo Xie" <xiebopublic at gmail.com>
To: <syslinux at zytor.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2007 1:19 PM
Subject: [syslinux] [help] Use syslinux but can not boot from USB key

> I try two ways to use syslinux for USB key (2GB USB key), and one
> approach can boot from machine, another approach can not. Could you
> review the following steps and tell me why #2 can not boot?
> Thanks very much!
It does depend on bug on certains bios.
I would guess you have an Award bios, that may not like partionned usb key.
Upgrading the bios may help.
This make a difference to me booting from an Asus A7V8X-X motherboard.
Previous to the bios upgrade, only unpartionned and zip-like partition were
working

Gilles

Hallo, Bo,

Du (xiebopublic) meintest am 11.08.07:
> I try two ways to use syslinux for USB key (2GB USB key), and one
> approach can boot from machine, another approach can not. Could you
> review the following steps and tell me why #2 can not boot? Thanks
> very much!
> approach #1
> steps:
> mkfs.vfat -F 16 -n USB /dev/sdb -I
        Superfloppy
> approach #2
> fdisk /dev/sdb
        Partitions

There are (at least) 4 types of booting via USB, all depend from the  
BIOS:

a) doesn't boot
b) expects superfloppy
c) expects partitions
d) small size: expects superfloppy; big size: expects partitions

Viele Gruesse!
Helmut