Many OS contain bootable CD or DVD that PC can boot from if OS goes bad. Many netbooks and ultraportable laptops, though, no longer contain optical drive needed to utilize these discs. Luckily, if PC has no optical drive, you can still utilize boot disc created from cheap USB flash drive. You want to utilize PC with optical drive to set USB drive up, but after it's bootable, you can use it on any new PC.

Instructions

Windows

Step 1

Place CD into optical drive and connect flash drive in USB port. Start Command Prompt.

Step 2

Type "diskpart" at command prompt and push "Enter". Type "list disk" and push "Enter." Locate and note number beside flash drive in list that shows. If you are not sure which entry signifies flash drive, try looking at disk capacity part of list?

Step 3

Type "select disk 1", alternating number by flash drive for "1". Type following commands separately and push "Enter" after every command: "clean", "create partition primary", "select partition 1", "active", "format fs=fat32", "assign" and "exit".

Step 4

Type "xcopy d:*.* /s/e/f g:", with drive letter of CD drive rather than "d" and drive letter of flash drive rather than "g". Push "Enter." When files have copied, flash drive is bootable.

Macintosh

Step 1

Put in Mac OS disk and join USB flash make in USB port. Connect "Utility", and then choice "Disk Utility."

Step 2

Tick flash drive's icon, then click "Partition". Select "1 Partition" from menu "Volume Select."

Step 3

Click "Options" select "GUID Partition Table" if Mac utilizes an Intel processor, then click "OK."

Step 4

Click "Erase" on "Disk Utility" screen. Pick proper option from "Volume Format" menu. Click "Erase" and let PC complete formatting flash drive.

Step 5

Tick "Restore". Drag Mac OS disc icon to "Source" region, then drag flash drive's icon to "Destination" region.

Linux

Step 1

Put in Linux CD in CD drive and connect USB flash drive.

Step 2

Download ISO builder. MagicISO is exceptional free option; however its functionality is comparatively restricted. For those who want more functionality, Nero is better choice, however it is not free. Install program you have selected and make an ISO file from disc in CD drive.

Step 3

Start web browser and download proper Pen Drive installer from list on main page. Open program and click "..." button to find ISO file. Click "OK," then "Next." Follow instructions to finish process. When files complete copying, flash drive is bootable.