Has anyone tried MemTest86+ "Pre-Compiled EXE file for USB Key (Pure DOS)"

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C

computer

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Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but it looks like "Pre-Compiled EXE file for USB Key (Pure DOS)" would work on a USB flash drive. But it doesn't. I get an "invalid boot disk". I tried clicking the d'loaded file thinking it would extract to the USB drive but it does nothing but flash a cmd DOS type screen.

So, how does this work?

On a similar note, does anyone know of a way to get the "Windows Memory Diagnostic" on a this kind of device?

(All of my floppies are fried is why I'm having to try this USB device. CD is not an option because ECDC keeps crashing).
Thanks.
 
bruceb

bruceb

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Just use the normal iso version .. set the BIOS boot order to CD, HDD
It will boot up into DOS mode to run the test
 
C

computer

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Thanks for replying, but I said the CD is not an option. I can boot from a CD, but I can't create a CD. I need to be able to boot from the USB flash.
 
C

computer

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Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
What flash drive are you using? Not all of them have boot capability.
Click to expand...
Hmm, good point....but wouldn't that only depend on the files placed on one? I'd think if you could put the contents of a bootable floppy on one (instead of a floppy by a batch file's or exe's file extractor) that would work. It's a Patriot. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220154 (BTW, that thing is FAST!!!!)

The mobo DOES have the option to boot from a USB thumb drive/flash/key.
 
C

computer

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Originally posted by: biostud
have you tried to run the exe from a CMD window?
Click to expand...

Just did: "You cannot run Memtest86+ if the system already is in protected mode".

Doing that with the WMD program of course does the exact same thing as clicking it, it wants to either create a floppy or CD image. (I would think M$ would have made a version for a flash drive by now).
 
Fullmetal Chocobo

Fullmetal Chocobo

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Originally posted by: computer
Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
What flash drive are you using? Not all of them have boot capability.
Click to expand...
Hmm, good point....but wouldn't that only depend on the files place on one? I'd think if you could put the contents of a bootable floppy on one (instead of a floppy by a batch file's or exe's file extractor) that would work. It's a Patriot. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220154 (BTW, that thing is FAST!!!!)

The mobo DOES have the option to boot from a USB thumb drive/flash/key.
Click to expand...

I know the review is old, but check out this usb key review. Look at how few have boot support. I don't know if it has changed now or not, but finding the information is hard to find on current USB keys. Something to look into though, as it might be your problem...
 
C

computer

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At least from that (old) article, it seems to imply that possibly special software is required for bootable support, since that Mushkin it talked about had the special 'ware. BTW, when I right click the drive in Windows and "format", there IS NO "create an MS-DOS startup disk"!! It's grayed out!
 
Fullmetal Chocobo

Fullmetal Chocobo

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Originally posted by: computer
At least from that (old) article, it seems to imply that possibly special software is required for bootable support, since that Mushkin it talked about had the special 'ware. BTW, when I right click the drive in Windows and "format", there IS NO "create an MS-DOS startup disk"!! It's grayed out!
Click to expand...

I might be able to help you with that one. Give me a second to get the link. (I'll edit here in a second when I find it)

Boot disks. Unfortunately, you will need a floppy drive to make these. But it makes a bootable floppy, and then using the software of the USB key, you should be able to transfer the system files over to your USB key...

I use the USB floppy that I have with an old P2 laptop for making disks and such like this. I never thought I would need this old P2 laptop so much. LOL
 
C

computer

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Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
I might be able to help you with that one. Give me a second to get the link. (I'll edit here in a second when I find it)

Boot disks. Unfortunately, you will need a floppy drive to make these. But it makes a bootable floppy, and then using the software of the USB key, you should be able to transfer the system files over to your USB key...
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch, that will certainly help make it bootable at least. Is this something similar? http://www.informationweek.com/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=177102101 . So that still leaves me having to find out if this one is bootable. I emailed Patriot and asked them.



 
Fullmetal Chocobo

Fullmetal Chocobo

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FYI, I now have two Corsair Voyager flash drives. One is 2gb, and that is the one I've been using for a while. I just bought a 128mb one for ~$18, and it is going to be just for booting, loading drivers, updating firmware, etc. And I have successfully booted into DOS, as well as booted into the Acronis True Image restore software off of the Corsair Voyagers. :) They are awesome drives.
 
C

computer

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Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
FYI, I now have two Corsair Voyager flash drives. One is 2gb, and that is the one I've been using for a while. I just bought a 128mb one for ~$18, and it is going to be just for booting, loading drivers, updating firmware, etc. And I have successfully booted into DOS, as well as booted into the Acronis True Image restore software off of the Corsair Voyagers. :) They are awesome drives.
Click to expand...

Does Corsair mention anywhere at their site or datasheets about them "being bootable"? Have you tried that MemTest USB image on them? If it works for you, then obviously this Patriot POS isn't bootable.
 
C

computer

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My post above that says "Thanks a bunch, that will certainly help make it bootable at least. Is this something similar? Link" is all screwed up. First it was not parsing the URL correctly, this site was adding an icon IN the URL!! Then I tried the link script and that screwed up the HTML code so much now the post is different and I can't fix it! So let's try this: http://www.informationweek.com/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=177102101 (I was originally using G's cached page so words would be highlighted. I fixed the original post).
 
C

computer

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Originally posted by: computer
Originally posted by: Zap
This may or may not help.
Click to expand...
Isn't that only for HP USB drives? I'll give it shot anyway, thanks.
Click to expand...

Oh well, that didn't work. Strange that page didn't specifically mention HP USB drives, so from the sound of it it should have worked. I did everything it said, and when I put the USB drive back in, it was blank! No files on it.
 
C

computer

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I tried it again it worked this time. So, I'll see if I can get the programs to run on it.
 
bruceb

bruceb

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Just a note ... if ECDC keeps crashing, I would fix that problem first
with either a reinstall of it or an upgrade ... if not fixable get rid of it
and install Nero .. Roxio should not be causing any problems
Do you have Packet Writing Software installed (such as Roxio Direct CD
or Nero INCD) ... If so, you can only have one of them installed, not both
or they will conflict with each other
 
C

computer

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Something is screwed up bad. The 1gb flash drive is now....the size of a floppy! 1.38mb! WTF?? Is that normal? Geeze, I hope I can get it back to 1gb!

This just ain't gonna work. I tried putting the MemTest USB file on it, and when booting it said "NTLDR is missing". For the hell of it I also tried the WMD ISO image file, said the same thing. Now in the BIOS, it's not even listed under Hard drives! So I even tried booting from "USB floppy", same thing. The files ARE on the USB drive, but it just won't boot.
 
C

computer

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Originally posted by: bruceb
Just a note ... if ECDC keeps crashing, I would fix that problem first
with either a reinstall of it or an upgrade ... if not fixable get rid of it
and install Nero .. Roxio should not be causing any problems
Do you have Packet Writing Software installed (such as Roxio Direct CD
or Nero INCD) ... If so, you can only have one of them installed, not both
or they will conflict with each other
Click to expand...

I'm on a temp HD and I have the new Roxio version, so I'm not all that concerned with that now. ;)

No, I never liked Nero (sorry), but Roxio's drag 'n drop STILL works. It's just the ECDC interface that keeps crashing every time I open it.
 
Fullmetal Chocobo

Fullmetal Chocobo

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This is so weird. I got my 1gb Flash Voyager yesterday in the mail. So I pulled it out and was trying to set it up to boot different things, but it doesn't have the "Corsair Flash Voyager Utility" on the CD, and the one I have installed (I used it for the 2gb one that I have) doesn't work. So I can't format, adjust partition sizes, or make it bootable. WTF? The only utilitiy it has on the CD is some encryption utility...

Anyone else run into this? Did they completely change their software or something?
 
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