[syslinux] Multi boot device choice : linux - dos

[Gene Cumm]

On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 05:16, MONDON Daniel
<Daniel.MONDON at lpgtechnologies.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have a machine with live CD application: syslinux boot
>
> I have to update the BIOS: I need a keyboard and an USB key (win 98
> boot) with only 1 usb port :(

1 port?  That's very unfortunate.

> But my usb key is not visible for boot choice behind usb hub: I need an
> usb keyboard to enter and configure bios...
> (The boot is on an inside USB key - hdd)

Are you saying that you have an ISO that you're loading with Memdisk
from a UFD (USB Flash Drive) that has Syslinux installed onto it?

The UFD not being visible from behind a USB hub is a BIOS issue.

> I think the solution is to (install and) configure the internal boot to
> choice to boot on my external dos usb key (with autoexec.bat for bios
> update).
>
> How can I do that?

Create a small partition with a FAT or EXT filesystem, install
Syslinux to it, copy chain.c32 into it,. create a simple config file
to chainload the UFD.  More than likely, you won't see the UFD in
order to chainload to it.  You can also check out PLoP and try
automatically loading PLoP.
http://syslinux.zytor.com/wiki/index.php/Hardware_Compatibility#USB_related_problems

Am I correct in assuming that you can't just put the BIOS update
either onto a CD or onto a floppy image on a CD (or even on a real
floppy) and load it from the CD rather than attempting a UFD?

-- 
-Gene