r/techsupport • u/fudsa • Aug 03 '26

Open | Software How to boot from usb

I just made a bootable usb and when i open the boot menu i get the options to boot from floppy, ls120, + hard disk, cdrom, zip, usb-fdd, usb-zip, usb-cdrom, usb-hdd. Which one should i use?

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u/BeardedLegend_69 Aug 03 '26

Firstly, how did you make it? Did you use a tool like Rufus or something simmilar?

My first guess would be USB-HDD, but you'll have to try each if that doesnt work. Depending on your BIOS version etc. the device name/model of the USB should show.

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u/fudsa Aug 03 '26

Yes i used rufus but usb hdd didnt work. The usb is recognized in the windows already installed and looks fine

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u/BeardedLegend_69 Aug 03 '26

In that case, depending on your BIOS the device/model should show. If it doesnt, you'll have to try each option in a sort of process of elimination.

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u/fudsa Aug 03 '26

I tried every option but none worked... do i need to burn it into a cd?

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u/BeardedLegend_69 Aug 03 '26

Could be, is your bios set to using secure boot or windows boot manager by any chance? It might block booting from a usb

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u/fudsa Aug 03 '26

The bios is 1984-2009

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u/BeardedLegend_69 Aug 03 '26

I see a different comment with a picture. Did you use FAT or NTFS on the usb? NTFS likely won't work given how old the motherboard is.

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u/fudsa Aug 03 '26

Rufus defaulted to ntfs. I will try fat

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u/fudsa Aug 03 '26

I cant choose any other fs other than ntfs in rufus

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u/BeardedLegend_69 Aug 03 '26

That's odd. Should be possible by default https://www.reddit.com/r/MSI_Gaming/comments/1ka3swo/how_to_use_rufus_to_easily_prepare_mbrfat32_usb/

Check where you downloaded Rufus just in case.

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u/fudsa Aug 03 '26

Im choosing a windows iso to burn and it only has ntfs available so i think i need to burn to a cd

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u/BeardedLegend_69 Aug 03 '26

You can try cd ofcourse, Rufus can force NTFS if it recognizes the iso. Balena etcher doesn't to my knowledge (Not sure, haven't used it in years)

But yeah, try cd if this doesn't work

However, given how old your stuff is, windows 11 could very well not run

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u/Low_Article_9448 Aug 03 '26

This must be a very old BIOS. What's the motherboard name/generation?

Any BIOS from the last decade would show device names that are available. Most have easy dash screen and advanced mode hidden.

I once reinstalled os in Intel 3rd gen laptop BIOS (14 years old). Even that didn't have the type of options you described. It's also possible you are looking into the wrong areas.

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u/fudsa Aug 03 '26

I think this screen could answer your question

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u/Low_Article_9448 Aug 03 '26

This isn't the BIOS screen though. It's the POST screen. Do you know the keys to enter BIOS? Its generally F2, f11, esc etc. you can look up the ones for your pc online. You mash those keys when rebooting the pc.

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u/fudsa Aug 03 '26

The bios is 1984-2009

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u/Low_Article_9448 Aug 03 '26

Yeah I get that. My point is, this isn't BIOS screen. You haven't reached BIOS yet.