They fit in your pocket, go anywhere, and can carry up to about a week's worth of music ... or video ... or just about anything. USB Flash drives, based on solid state technology, are one of computing's hottest items. They're also extremely versatile marketing tools. Imagine sending your key clients and hot prospects an audio/video, customized presentation about your company, its services or new products and innovations, contained in a gift that will continue marketing your company as it is used again and again.
Solid State Storage
If you think you're hearing a lot about Flash memory these days, you probably are. Flash memory is a type of solid-state technology, one of the hot new technological advancements in computing today. A Solid State Drive (SSD), which basically means there are no moving parts, works much faster than traditional hard disc drives (HDD).*
Enter the USB Flash drive
USB Flash drives, Jump drives, Pocket drives, Pen drives, Thumb drives, keychain drives, disk-on-key ... whatever the name, they spell speed and mobility.
USB Flash drives are small, lightweight, removable and rewritable, solid-state storage devices integrated with a USB (universal serial bus) interface. Flash drives are a popular type of portable storage for small digital devices, such as digital cameras. You may know Flash memory products as SmartMedia, CompactFlash, Sony's Memory Stick, PCMCIA memory cards, and memory cards for video game systems. All are a form of Flash memory.
The perfect portable powerhouse.
We know that solid state drives are fast and have no moving parts. But USB Flash drives are also small, lightweight and noiseless. They are compact, easy to use and available in capacities up to 64 gigabytes. Connected to your computer, they work like any other drive - except they weigh about as much as a key, are usually smaller than your index finger, and are rugged and durable so you can stick them in your pocket, on a key chain, or hang them around your neck.
Anywhere and Everywhere
USB ports appear on almost every current mainstream PC and laptop, and some peripherals. Just plug in your Flash drive and go. Many printers now come with a Flash drive included. Pop the card from your camera right in the slot and print vacation photos before you even get home.
Custom Flash Drives Market Branded Products
The lack of moving parts combined with a durable design make USB Flash drives great marketing tools. They'll hold anything a regular drive will hold: music, video, photos, applications, presentations, etc. - and they're more than just great tradeshow goodies.
How can you put these zippy little drives to work?
* Pre-load your Flash drive with video, slide shows, music or other promotional content - perhaps a video brochure complete with music and narration.
* Customize drives with your logo, corporate colors and even special shapes for a fun and useful gift. USB Flash drives can be pre-loaded with an auto-run video brochure, or thank you to loyal clients.
* Pre-loaded, custom Flash drives offer tremendous impact, more than flyers or brochures. USB Flash drives can be programmed to present customized messages or auto-load your website.
* Use them for training videos that can be distributed with course materials.
* Your company branded USB Flash drive in the hands of key customers and prospects continues to promote for you every time they use the Flash drive to backup data or transfer some files - real value that they will use again and again.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Companies, from small businesses to large industries, seeking a way to stand out from the crowd, are finding new and creative ways to communicate their unique message using Flash drives. Think about your own company's marketing. How would you use a USB Flash drive to tell your company's story? Photos, video, music, maybe all three? Say thanks, present a new product or innovation? How would your key clients like to get an audio/video thank you card on a reusable Flash drive?
*To learn more about how the technology works, see http://www.howstuffworks.com/flash-memory.htm or http://www.howstuffworks.com/rom.htm
Want more tips and tools for effective graphic design, Web site development and search engine optimization, brand marketing and communication? Then learn more about small business marketing and advertising at pinscreative.com. Sign up for a Free Analysis of your current Web site or marketing materials at http://www.pinscreative.com/reviewreq.htm Subscribe to the Ballyhoo Blog or read our newsletter for more information and tips on marketing, graphic design and Website development.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cynthia_Pinsonnault
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
How to Create an XP Bootable USB Flash Drive
By Derek Rogers
An XP bootable flash drive is a flash memory device that has been configured to allow you to boot up Windows XP on a computer by plugging in your flash drive device into the USB port. An XP bootable flash drive is highly useful for two purposes:
1. Booting up XP to troubleshoot on any computer that permits the boot.
2. Transporting Windows applications between different physical locations such as home and the office.
To create an XP bootable flash drive, you first need a computer that has BIOS that will permit you to configure its USB port as a configurable device. Then you need a flash memory drive that is set up to be able to act as a booting device. It might not be readily known at first if you have a flash memory drive that is going to boot; one thing to look for when you access a computer's BIOS is whether or not the plugged-in flash drive appears in the listed items on the setup screen. Hopefully this happens, and you can then select this as the first device to check during your boot sequence. Some computers might require that you hit F10 to select your flash memory device.
Assuming that you have the computer and the drive that you need, now you need to get the software that will permit you to condense Windows XP onto your flash memory device. This includes: PE Builder, which is easy to install just by following the directions; you need to install it into your root directory and make a folder in C:PEBUILDER3110a called SRSP1. This will enable you to download Windows Server 2003 Service Pack One to this place. There are only two files you need from it: setupldr.bin and ramdisk.sys. Don't extract anything else, because you may totally corrupt your current version of Windows if you do. Specifically, never run the Windows Server 2003 SP1 executable file.
Once you have these files, run your PE Builder CD (Windows XP Professional CD). Make sure you hold down the [Shift] key to prevent Autostart from launching the CD. Launch PE Builder manually. When the Source field on the main PE Builder screen, enter the letter of the drive in which you put the CD. Check to see that the Output box contains BartPE and that the "None" option is selected in the Media Output panel. Once you have all this squared away, click Build. You can watch the progress of the compression.
When it's complete you're prepared to format and copy the Windows XP Professional bootable image to the UFD with the BartPE USB Installer. Open a Command Prompt window and use the CD command to switch to the pebuilder3110a folder. Next, insert the UFD into a USB port; note the drive letter to which it is assigned, as you'll need to enter it into your next command prompt that you type.
Let's imagine that it was assigned to drive E. You will now type the following command (take note of the last letter in the command). pe2usb -f e:
When Bart is all done, you just hit any key to exit the program, and you have your XP bootable flash drive.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For logo branded USB Flash Drives, he recommends Flashbay.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers
An XP bootable flash drive is a flash memory device that has been configured to allow you to boot up Windows XP on a computer by plugging in your flash drive device into the USB port. An XP bootable flash drive is highly useful for two purposes:
1. Booting up XP to troubleshoot on any computer that permits the boot.
2. Transporting Windows applications between different physical locations such as home and the office.
To create an XP bootable flash drive, you first need a computer that has BIOS that will permit you to configure its USB port as a configurable device. Then you need a flash memory drive that is set up to be able to act as a booting device. It might not be readily known at first if you have a flash memory drive that is going to boot; one thing to look for when you access a computer's BIOS is whether or not the plugged-in flash drive appears in the listed items on the setup screen. Hopefully this happens, and you can then select this as the first device to check during your boot sequence. Some computers might require that you hit F10 to select your flash memory device.
Assuming that you have the computer and the drive that you need, now you need to get the software that will permit you to condense Windows XP onto your flash memory device. This includes: PE Builder, which is easy to install just by following the directions; you need to install it into your root directory and make a folder in C:PEBUILDER3110a called SRSP1. This will enable you to download Windows Server 2003 Service Pack One to this place. There are only two files you need from it: setupldr.bin and ramdisk.sys. Don't extract anything else, because you may totally corrupt your current version of Windows if you do. Specifically, never run the Windows Server 2003 SP1 executable file.
Once you have these files, run your PE Builder CD (Windows XP Professional CD). Make sure you hold down the [Shift] key to prevent Autostart from launching the CD. Launch PE Builder manually. When the Source field on the main PE Builder screen, enter the letter of the drive in which you put the CD. Check to see that the Output box contains BartPE and that the "None" option is selected in the Media Output panel. Once you have all this squared away, click Build. You can watch the progress of the compression.
When it's complete you're prepared to format and copy the Windows XP Professional bootable image to the UFD with the BartPE USB Installer. Open a Command Prompt window and use the CD command to switch to the pebuilder3110a folder. Next, insert the UFD into a USB port; note the drive letter to which it is assigned, as you'll need to enter it into your next command prompt that you type.
Let's imagine that it was assigned to drive E. You will now type the following command (take note of the last letter in the command). pe2usb -f e:
When Bart is all done, you just hit any key to exit the program, and you have your XP bootable flash drive.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For logo branded USB Flash Drives, he recommends Flashbay.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers
Bootable USB Flash Drives and How to Create Them
By Derek Rogers
A USB flash drive is thought to be a much better alternative than a floppy disc or a CD. It can be dropped or scuffed without being damaged due to the durable outer shell. They are also portable and can be placed anywhere, from your key chain to your pocket. The storage possibilities are endless and many people do not even use the whole amount that is available on the USB flash drive.
When the USB flash drive was first introduced by IBM, they were as simple in colour as they were in style and memory storage. You are now able to purchase one in any colour of the rainbow and any size of memory that you desire. The price that you pay will depend on how much storage the removable device has. Not only does a USB flash drive save paper, but you can have all of your important programs at your fingertips no matter which computer you are sat at.
The technical words for USB are a "Universal Serial Bus" device. Making a bootable USB flash drive is not as easy it may look. It is much harder than making a bootable disc or a floppy disc. A bootable USB flash drive can come in handy, but creating one could cause you to become very stressed out. A bootable USB flash drive simply means that you can upload important programs to a computer from your removable memory storage device, or as we know it the USB.
The following are directions for a Windows computer:
Your first step should be to download and install the Windows Automated Installation Kit. This also contains Windows PE 2.0. Open a command and execute the following:
* There should be a list of disks with information about each one. Select disk 1, assuming that the USB key is disk 1. This has to be correct or you could accidentally erase the hard drive instead.
* Clean or remove any information from the disk and create a partition primary.
* Select partition 1 and use format fs=fat32. You will then exit.
Your next step is to setup and customize Windows PE with the following steps:
* Click on the Windows Start menu, open "All Programs", and then the Windows AIK program folder. Select and click "Windows PE Tools Command Prompt". Run command: Copype.cmd x86 c:winpe_x86.
* Insert the USB flash drive into the computer and run the following command to copy WinPE and its contents to the USB flash drive: xcopy c:winpe_x86iso*.* /s /e /f e:
A bootable USB flash drive also makes it easy to cancel out an old computer and switch in a new one. You do not have to have a boot disk if you have a bootable USB flash drive. There are many tutorials out there that can help you to create a bootable flash drive; some are more successful than others. The bottom line is that after you have created this, you will be able to boot all of your regular programs from an advanced menu. Plus you can still use your USB flash drive on any computer that you wish.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For logo branded USB Flash Drives, he recommends Flashbay.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers
A USB flash drive is thought to be a much better alternative than a floppy disc or a CD. It can be dropped or scuffed without being damaged due to the durable outer shell. They are also portable and can be placed anywhere, from your key chain to your pocket. The storage possibilities are endless and many people do not even use the whole amount that is available on the USB flash drive.
When the USB flash drive was first introduced by IBM, they were as simple in colour as they were in style and memory storage. You are now able to purchase one in any colour of the rainbow and any size of memory that you desire. The price that you pay will depend on how much storage the removable device has. Not only does a USB flash drive save paper, but you can have all of your important programs at your fingertips no matter which computer you are sat at.
The technical words for USB are a "Universal Serial Bus" device. Making a bootable USB flash drive is not as easy it may look. It is much harder than making a bootable disc or a floppy disc. A bootable USB flash drive can come in handy, but creating one could cause you to become very stressed out. A bootable USB flash drive simply means that you can upload important programs to a computer from your removable memory storage device, or as we know it the USB.
The following are directions for a Windows computer:
Your first step should be to download and install the Windows Automated Installation Kit. This also contains Windows PE 2.0. Open a command and execute the following:
* There should be a list of disks with information about each one. Select disk 1, assuming that the USB key is disk 1. This has to be correct or you could accidentally erase the hard drive instead.
* Clean or remove any information from the disk and create a partition primary.
* Select partition 1 and use format fs=fat32. You will then exit.
Your next step is to setup and customize Windows PE with the following steps:
* Click on the Windows Start menu, open "All Programs", and then the Windows AIK program folder. Select and click "Windows PE Tools Command Prompt". Run command: Copype.cmd x86 c:winpe_x86.
* Insert the USB flash drive into the computer and run the following command to copy WinPE and its contents to the USB flash drive: xcopy c:winpe_x86iso*.* /s /e /f e:
A bootable USB flash drive also makes it easy to cancel out an old computer and switch in a new one. You do not have to have a boot disk if you have a bootable USB flash drive. There are many tutorials out there that can help you to create a bootable flash drive; some are more successful than others. The bottom line is that after you have created this, you will be able to boot all of your regular programs from an advanced menu. Plus you can still use your USB flash drive on any computer that you wish.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For logo branded USB Flash Drives, he recommends Flashbay.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers
Monday, 18 May 2009
How to Boot a USB Flash Drive in Floppy Mode
By Derek Rogers Platinum Quality Author
USB flash drive has become a commonly used device that acts as a "travel filing cabinet". In replacing the bulky stacks of CDs, this compact device makes it easier for everyone to have their important files and documents on the go. And since this device has replaced whatever we used to place in our "once floppy disks", perhaps it is the best time to transfer all files into this innovative data storage device. This usually calls for the need to boot USB flash drive in floppy mode.
When we say boot, it basically means manipulating the features and settings of computer hardware and software to serve our purpose. This is also applicable to external hard drives such as USB flash drives. In successfully booting the flash drive in floppy mode, you get to access a:drive and get the images from your floppy disc. In this manner, you can make use of the image to make a bootable CD. The other great thing that you get out of this is the use of "raw write". This is a utility for windows that allows the computer to write the floppy image to the USB flash drive. Even without the hard disk utility, making the USB thumb drive bootable can do just the trick.
Here are some of the things that you need in doing this project:
* A PC that supports booting from USB flash drive. Check the BIOS for details. No problem for newly bought computers for recently manufactured units supports this functionality.
* A flash drive that supports booting applications in general; contains boot/system files and bootsector area.
* References to A: drive lines.
* A formatted floppy disk in WinXP when using XP as bootdisk.
To actually boot a USB flash disk into Floppy mode, it needs to be made bootable first.
Here is how to manually make your USB flash disk bootable:
* Make the USB drive lead the drive sequence. The flash disk will not allow any of the partition to be active or bootable in any other way. To do this, simply plug the drive in, power the computer and go to the BIOS and initiate boot sequence. If this did not work, disable or unplug the other drives in the system.
* Boot your computer to a DOS shell from the bootable floppy disk or CD and make sure that the USB flash drive is already plugged in.
* Run the flash disk.
* Initiate setting of primary partition on the USB drive by click on the "set active partition" option in flash disk. If your USB flash disk does not have a primary partition, then use the flash disk to create one.
* Exit flash disk.
* Reboot the computer this time with a DOS shell from a bootable floppy disk or CD with the USB already plugged in.
* Verify the contents of the primary partition of the USB drive, you can use of the DOS command "dir c:"
* Format and copy the boot file to the primary partition of the USB flash drive, you can use the DOS "format /s c:" command.
Write the master boot record to the USB drive by running "fdisk /mbr", do this without altering the partition table.
* Restart the computer after booting the USB drive. If everything went well, the c:> command prompt will appear.
These tips may or may not be effective, even when done correctly. In any problem regarding your USB flash drive booting problems, you may consult a qualified technician.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For logo branded USB Flash Drives, he recommends Flashbay.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers
USB flash drive has become a commonly used device that acts as a "travel filing cabinet". In replacing the bulky stacks of CDs, this compact device makes it easier for everyone to have their important files and documents on the go. And since this device has replaced whatever we used to place in our "once floppy disks", perhaps it is the best time to transfer all files into this innovative data storage device. This usually calls for the need to boot USB flash drive in floppy mode.
When we say boot, it basically means manipulating the features and settings of computer hardware and software to serve our purpose. This is also applicable to external hard drives such as USB flash drives. In successfully booting the flash drive in floppy mode, you get to access a:drive and get the images from your floppy disc. In this manner, you can make use of the image to make a bootable CD. The other great thing that you get out of this is the use of "raw write". This is a utility for windows that allows the computer to write the floppy image to the USB flash drive. Even without the hard disk utility, making the USB thumb drive bootable can do just the trick.
Here are some of the things that you need in doing this project:
* A PC that supports booting from USB flash drive. Check the BIOS for details. No problem for newly bought computers for recently manufactured units supports this functionality.
* A flash drive that supports booting applications in general; contains boot/system files and bootsector area.
* References to A: drive lines.
* A formatted floppy disk in WinXP when using XP as bootdisk.
To actually boot a USB flash disk into Floppy mode, it needs to be made bootable first.
Here is how to manually make your USB flash disk bootable:
* Make the USB drive lead the drive sequence. The flash disk will not allow any of the partition to be active or bootable in any other way. To do this, simply plug the drive in, power the computer and go to the BIOS and initiate boot sequence. If this did not work, disable or unplug the other drives in the system.
* Boot your computer to a DOS shell from the bootable floppy disk or CD and make sure that the USB flash drive is already plugged in.
* Run the flash disk.
* Initiate setting of primary partition on the USB drive by click on the "set active partition" option in flash disk. If your USB flash disk does not have a primary partition, then use the flash disk to create one.
* Exit flash disk.
* Reboot the computer this time with a DOS shell from a bootable floppy disk or CD with the USB already plugged in.
* Verify the contents of the primary partition of the USB drive, you can use of the DOS command "dir c:"
* Format and copy the boot file to the primary partition of the USB flash drive, you can use the DOS "format /s c:" command.
Write the master boot record to the USB drive by running "fdisk /mbr", do this without altering the partition table.
* Restart the computer after booting the USB drive. If everything went well, the c:> command prompt will appear.
These tips may or may not be effective, even when done correctly. In any problem regarding your USB flash drive booting problems, you may consult a qualified technician.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For logo branded USB Flash Drives, he recommends Flashbay.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers
USB boot or dual boot
Dual booting your laptop is it a thing of the past?
For those who have a portable computer provided by their business it is simply an impossibility.
Your IT will most likely not tolerate you concurrently installing a second operating system and thus changing the partition layout of your work PC.
If you do not want to carry 2 laptops, your personal one and your business one while on the move
If you want to store your personal data safely away from your IT department’s prying eyes
If you want to have more control of your machine – i.e. have administrator rights and be able to change some files on your local hard drive
The answer is simple: boot another operating system from a USB device, such as a flash drive or a USB hard drive.
With the advent of desktop Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Knoppix, Fedora and others most modern (and old) laptop hardware drivers are already covered by these operating systems. In other words all devices integrated with your Dell, HP, Toshiba or IBM will be automatically identified and operational. All you need to do is obtain a live CD of one of the above distros and install it on your pen drive.
Hey!.. If Linux sounds like too much work you can even boot XP from your flash drive! There are Howto’s available, just google it.
One thing left to verify is if you can boot from a USB device on that PC of yours. Your IT department should be able to answer that question.
For those who have a portable computer provided by their business it is simply an impossibility.
Your IT will most likely not tolerate you concurrently installing a second operating system and thus changing the partition layout of your work PC.
If you do not want to carry 2 laptops, your personal one and your business one while on the move
If you want to store your personal data safely away from your IT department’s prying eyes
If you want to have more control of your machine – i.e. have administrator rights and be able to change some files on your local hard drive
The answer is simple: boot another operating system from a USB device, such as a flash drive or a USB hard drive.
With the advent of desktop Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Knoppix, Fedora and others most modern (and old) laptop hardware drivers are already covered by these operating systems. In other words all devices integrated with your Dell, HP, Toshiba or IBM will be automatically identified and operational. All you need to do is obtain a live CD of one of the above distros and install it on your pen drive.
Hey!.. If Linux sounds like too much work you can even boot XP from your flash drive! There are Howto’s available, just google it.
One thing left to verify is if you can boot from a USB device on that PC of yours. Your IT department should be able to answer that question.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)