How do your make a bootable usb flash drive

[2311]

Ok I have a acer one net device, I'll like to upgrade the bios, but tech help told me I need to get a bootable flash drive an install the files there, then boot from it. ect ect, I understand everything, but how do I make a flash drive bootable, is there a special brand I need to buy?
my flash drives are all SanDisk UltraŽ CruzerŽ usb 2.0 4 gig with u3

thanks for the help

[TheApprentice]

I believe you have to simply put the install files on your current flash drive.

Turn off pc.
Plug in the flash drive, start it up.
The pc should ask you if to boot from the flash drive or external storage, or removable hardware...etc..

In the event that it doesn't boot automatically.
Boot up your mobo's bios and change the boot priority, that is put removable hardware or external storage device (not sure which name will be displayed.)
above your disc drives (cd rom drives and harddrives).
That way the pc will boot from the flash drive on the next start up..

I think I'm correct....someone else correct me if I'm wrong.

[Netizen1]

uhm, doesn't he still need to format it to make it bootable? you know, MSDOS.SYS, IO.SYS, or NTLDR or somthing???

[Saxito Pau]

This link:

http://www.weethet.nl/english/hardware_bootfromusbstick.php

.. and this link:

http://www.bootdisk.com/pendrive.htm

... may have the tools you require. I have not verified them myself, so I assume no liability for info provided or consequences of using such info.

[Doomtack]

I use a program called HP Drive Key: http://files.filefront.com/HPUSBFWEXE/;8576665;/fileinfo.html

What it does is take the boot files from a floppy (so u have to create a bootable floppy first) and formats the flash drive with it. I use this for my Tool kit USB, you could probably check it out, and lemme kno if u need further help

[SPK]

Since we're on the topic, for a while now I've been wondering if anyone here knows how to allow a USB drive to act as a Windows XP/Vista installer, bootable and everything?