Hi,
Insert a suitable memory stick into your computer. PLEASE NOTE: this method will wipe ALL data on the memory stick, so make sure you back it all up first! In theory, you can still use it as a normal memory stick, making sure you don't overwrite any important files etc., but it is slightly more difficult than normal.
Download the HP tool included as an attachment. Although it is HP, it will still work perfectly well on Dell or Acer etc. Once the extraction and install has finished, run:
"C:\DriveKey\HPUSBFW.exe" (assuming you installed it in the default location. HPUSBFW.exe is the GUI version of the command line HPUSBF.exe, and is slightly easier to use.
- BACKUP YOUR MEMORY STICK DATA!
- Select your memory stick (get the right one!).
- Select FAT.
- Type a short Volume Label if you wish.
- Check "Create a DOS startup Disk"
- Browse to your DOS files, the basic DOS files included, or the advanced DOS files included.
- Click Start
- When finished, close, and browse memory stick from Computer, to add any extra DOS programs you wish.
Do not worry which set of DOS files you use. You can always add more tools from Windows later.
You may use:
- Your own DOS files.
- The basic DOS files (no tools included, you can only view the black screen - you cannot even write a batch file etc.) + your own tools from Windows.
- The advanced DOS files (basic DOS files plus many tools, Microsoft and useful third party) + your own tools from Windows. Richard Recommend.
To open your new memory stick, when your computer is booting, select Boot Menu then USB bootable media (or similar). You need a compatible motherboard, though all modern motherboards are.
Hope this helps, any problems, post back.
Richard
P.S. In theory at least you could somehow run this from a Virtual PC, and you could in theory still store data on the memory stick, maybe in a new directory.