[jmc]

I've been trying to get Knoppix working off of a pen drive per these instructions.

This is the first time I've attempted this (Linux on a key, or booting from a USB device). I've tried the instructions a couple of times, on two computers, and even reformatted the key and tried again... but no luck. The only deviation from the instructions is that I have to use syslinux.exe g: -f , since it thinks my key is not a removeable drive.

The "pen" drive is a small 4GB USB HD. It does not say which USB version it is. The two computers are one PC with an Asus K8V deluxe motherboard, and a Fujitsu P1510D laptop.

The laptop can see the USB device in BIOS, and the device is at the top of the boot chain. However, when it boots, at the point it should access the drive, I see no activity, and I get a black screen and a cursor. I can sometimes hear the laptop's HD make some noise though. I've let it sit a minute or two, but nothing continues to happen.

The PC is more straightforward, but at the same time I'm more confused. I'm pretty sure my motherboard is capable from booting from a USB device, in fact it has refused to boot with certain USB devices installed that don't boot (like my multicard device), but it stubbornly refuses to see the USB key in BIOS and of course it's then ignored on boot.

I didn't think it mattered if a device was USB 1 or 2 for the purposes of boot. I'd appreciate some help in sorting out where this problem might be. Since it won't work on two different machines, I don't know if the fault's with my key, or with the instructions.

Could this be as simple as the fact my device is a mini hard drive, rather than a true flash key? Could using the -f switch when invoking syslinux.exe be causing the problem?

Can someone else try the instructions and let me know if it worked?

Any help or advice is appreciated!