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General discussion

Can't Boot from USB on Gateway

by bobdobob5 Jan 24, 2011 2:21AM PST

I am trying to boot from a USB flash drive on a Gateway E Series. In the BIOS, USB Boot is enabled, but it does not show up as an option in the boot menu, all I have is CD, Hard drive, Network, and Floppy Drive. How can I get the USB to show up as an option? The USB works just fine on other computers. Any ideas? Thanks.

Discussion is locked

10 Posts
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If said USB stick works on other machines
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 24, 2011 2:22AM PST

Then that's a BIOS bug. Only the maker can fix that.

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Other computers are the same
by bobdobob5 Jan 25, 2011 2:25AM PST

Thanks for the response, I have more than one of these E Series Gateways and they are all the same. I don't really see how that could be a bug. The USB works fine on other models of Gateways. Any other ideas.

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Differences
by Willy Jan 25, 2011 4:24AM PST

Don't compare one Dell model with another, that's why they're different models, all specs aren't the same. If all those E-models are reporting the same result, that suggests either it isn't supported or a bios update is required. the bios may not address the issue as Dell usually doesn't say what a bios update does. But, you should check the current bios level amongst the same Dell model. AND NO, this still not the same bios update on a different other models. It may not be a bug but the E-model doesn't support booting from a USB drive or you need to set it within the bios if applicable. An actual bug maybe involved and only Dell can address that, so check thier support forum or the Dell forum here for further help.

tada ------Willy Happy

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(NT) Opps- replace Dell w/Gateway name
by Willy Jan 31, 2011 11:56PM PST
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Remember this is a series.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 25, 2011 6:29AM PST

One model may be fine, the next not. I fear that many consumers would think the models in a series have the exact same behavior and features.

That would be untrue.
Bob

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Flash the BIOS
by chamaecyparis Jan 28, 2011 12:40PM PST
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Agree with POST 6 ....might check the BIOS
by VAPCMD Jan 28, 2011 10:18PM PST

and update if appropriate.

VAPCMD

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Found the problem
by bobdobob5 Feb 5, 2011 11:56AM PST

Thanks for all the replies. Fortunately, the BIOS was fine. There was a setting in another part of the BIOS (not under Boot) where I had to set it to emulate the USB as a hard drive. Once this was done it showed up in the boot menu.

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Where did you find that
by lmartinezpr Mar 25, 2013 9:56AM PDT

I just bought a gateway but I am trying too boot from usb and all that the screen does is turn on and off.. help please

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Bios
by g2g2g3 Sep 9, 2013 5:27PM PDT

When you select usb emulation as HDD from bios setup then shut down, and power back on the machine, should give you the option to choose usb as boot up device.
also not sure if the usb has to be set up with mbr to be bootable, or makes no difference for win xp?

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