Guideline to Create a Bootable USB for Legacy BIOS Systems

Creating a bootable USB for legacy BIOS systems can be a daunting task if you are not familiar with the process. However, with the right tools, you can easily make a bootable USB to install an operating system or run an application. This guide will walk you through the process of creating a bootable USB using different tools, including Rufus, UNetbootin, and Command Prompt.

Introduction

Legacy BIOS, also known as Traditional BIOS, is an older version of the Basic Input/Output System that is still used in some computers, especially in devices where modern UEFI firmware is not supported. To create a bootable USB for such systems, you need to follow specific steps to ensure the USB drive is formatted correctly and the ISO file is properly copied to it.

Method 1: Using Rufus

Rufus is a popular and easy-to-use tool for creating bootable USB drives. Here’s how to create a bootable USB using Rufus:

1. Download Rufus

First, download Rufus from its official website. This tool simplifies the process of creating bootable USB drives and supports various operating systems.

2. Insert Your USB Drive

Connect your USB drive to your computer and make sure it is properly inserted. Check that it is visible in the File Explorer or Disk Management tool.

3. Open Rufus

Run the Rufus application. It should automatically detect your USB drive.

4. Select ISO File

Under the Partition Scheme option, choose MBR for legacy BIOS support. Depending on the size of the ISO file, select either FAT32 or NTFS. There are no specific requirements for the size of the ISO, but for most ISO files, 4GB is sufficient.

5. Start the Process

Click on START. A warning will appear, confirming that all data on the USB drive will be destroyed. Confirm to proceed.

6. Wait for Completion

The process will take a few minutes to complete. Once done, you will have a bootable USB drive ready for legacy BIOS systems.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

For those comfortable with command-line interfaces, using Command Prompt can be a viable option.

1. Open Command Prompt

Run Command Prompt as an administrator. You may need to follow the necessary steps to run it in administrator mode.

2. Launch Diskpart

Run the following command to launch Diskpart:

bash diskpart

3. List Drives

Run the following command to list all available drives:

bash list disk

4. Select USB Drive

Identify your USB drive from the list and select it by running the following command, replacing X with the disk number of your USB:

bash select disk X

5. Clean the Drive

Run the following command to clean the drive and remove all partitions:

bash clean

6. Create a New Partition

Create a new primary partition by running the following command:

bash create partition primary

7. Format the Drive

Format the drive as FAT32 by running the following command:

bash format fsfat32 quick

8. Set the Partition Active

Make the new partition active by running the following command:

bash active

9. Assign a Drive Letter

Assign a drive letter to the USB drive by running the following command:

bash assign

10. Exit Diskpart

Exit Diskpart by running the following command:

bash exit

11. Copy the ISO Files

Mount the ISO file and copy its contents to the USB drive. You can use Windows Explorer for this.

Method 3: Using UNetbootin

UNetbootin is another tool that can create a bootable USB drive. Here’s how to use UNetbootin:

1. Download UNetbootin

Get UNetbootin from its official website. UNetbootin supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.

2. Insert Your USB Drive

Connect your USB drive to your computer and make sure it is properly inserted.

3. Select Distribution or ISO

Open UNetbootin. You can either select a distribution or choose “Diskimage” to select your ISO file.

4. Choose USB Drive

Ensure the correct USB drive is selected in the “Drive” dropdown.

5. Create Bootable USB

Click “OK” to start the process. Wait for it to complete.

Final Steps

Safely eject the USB drive after the process is complete. Your USB drive should now be bootable on legacy BIOS systems.

Tips

1. Always back up any important data on the USB drive before proceeding as these methods will erase all data on the drive.

2. Ensure the USB drive is at least 4GB for most ISO files but larger files may require more space.

Conclusion

Creating a bootable USB for legacy BIOS systems can be straightforward using the right tools. Whether you choose to use Rufus, UNetbootin, or the Command Prompt, the process is well-documented and easy to follow. Make sure you have the correct file and enough space on your USB drive before you begin. If you encounter any issues, refer to the documentation or seek help from forums and communities.