Steve Jobs 1955 – 2011
Source:Â Apple.com.
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Source:Â Apple.com.
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Bootable Windows 8 Off USB
Microsoft is looking to make their OS more portable. With Windows 8, one of the features the Redmond, Washington company is introducing is a bootable OS off USB. True, we’ve seen both Windows and Linux distributions bootable off a flash drive before, but what makes this different is 1) it’s legal and 2) officially supported. This is a smart move to keep Microsoft positioned as a strong option as virtual desktop and thin client systems continue to rise in popularity.
Many power users already run virtual laptops off USB flash drives, enabling them to work on a single consistent environment at both home and work without fussing with a laptop or briefcase. An official bootable Windows 8 USB version should cement this concept and help Microsoft move towards more secure OS options comparable to VPMs.
With an official version of bootable Windows OS on USB, IT managers could now use a Nexcopy USB Duplicator to mass-produce their installation and/or restore media in a much faster time frame than using an old-school optical duplicator.
An additional caveat of the portable Windows system is the speed of the environment. Granted, there is nothing like running off a hard disk, but running off NAND flash will be almost as smooth… and with memory performance getting better with USB 3.0 flash drives, it will soon become virtually the same experience.
Video of Bootable Windows 8 running on a MacBook Pro via USB after the jump:
Source: EverythingUSB
Bootable USB Drive Articles on GetUSB.info
GetUSB.info has published several articles and tutorials related to bootable USB drives, covering setup guides, troubleshooting tips, and reviews of popular utilities. Below is an overview of their most useful content.
Bootable USB Guides on GetUSB.info
- Ultimate Boot CD from a USB Pen Drive: A tutorial explaining how to make the Ultimate Boot CD boot from a USB flash drive by formatting, extracting, and using Syslinux to make it bootable.
- How To: Check if My USB Flash Drive is Bootable: A step?by?step walkthrough using Windows tools to verify whether a USB is configured with boot?code/MBR.
- Make USB Flash Drive Bootable in Anything: A review of using Ventoy, an open?source tool for making a USB drive bootable with ISO, IMG, VHD, and EFI files, supporting multi?boot and persistence options.
Other Related Articles
- Review of Rufus Utility: Explains how Rufus writes bootable ISO files to USB and clarifies common misunderstandings.
- USB Boot Troubleshooting: Tutorials about BIOS boot order issues, clearing boot code from USB drives, and proper formatting steps.
Summary Table of Bootable USB Articles
| Topic | Published On | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Boot Ultimate Boot CD from USB | 2006 | Hands-on guide using Syslinux and ISO extraction to create a bootable USB version of the Ultimate Boot CD. |
| Check if USB is Bootable | July 2020 | Methods using Windows Disk Management to verify MBR/boot code on a USB drive. |
| Make USB Bootable Using Ventoy | 2022 | Multi?boot support, handles ISO/IMG/VHD/EFI files, no need to reformat for new images. |
| Review of Rufus Utility | 2021 | Explains how Rufus writes bootable code and compares it with other tools for ISO installation. |
| USB Boot Troubleshooting | 2021–2022 | Guides for BIOS issues, clearing bootstrap code, and proper bootable USB formatting methods. |
For more tutorials, reviews, and troubleshooting guides on creating and using bootable USB drives, visit GetUSB.info.
Dream Cable: iPhone, microUSB And miniUSB All In One
I’m sure we all have our own definition of an ideal cable, meaning a cable which connects to more then one device. For me, the new 3-in-1 cable from USB Fever is it. The 3-in-1 cable works with any iPhone or iPad type product, any device using a microUSB connector or any device which uses miniUSB connector. What is great about this cable is that three different connectors are seamlessly integrated with the end part of the cable. You do not see three wires splitting off for different connectors. All in-line, tight and organized. Here take a look:
In addition the iPhone 3-in-1 cable is tethered to a retractable assembly to pull the wires in when not in use.
For me, all of the above is ideal because I have one station at home which charges my kids DS, my iPhone and my Nikon point-n-shoot camera. Now I can power all three with only one cable.
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Skinny Jeans 2TB USB Flash Drive
Transcend and Taiwan’s ITRI are doing a joint venture design on an ultra slim 2TB USB flashdrive. The “Thin Card” was shown at the Display Taiwan convention. Not sure why the release was at a flat screen convention, but I guess a moot point.
Nothing official from either company in regards to specs or a simple introduction, nor does the high-capacity USB 3.0 stick appear on Display Taiwan’s trade show website. So adding this all up, it could be nothing more then a USB case and a trade show hottie giving out false information.
If you watch the video [here] you can hear the girl say things like “this could be a 2TB drive” well no sh!t I could pull out any sized drive and claim it “could be 2TB” and follow up with a release date of March 2015.
However, lets keep a positive attitude about this and hope a 2TB drive isn’t too far off.
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Windows 8 To Offer USB 3.0 Stack
One of the main goals for Windows 8 with respect to peripheral support, is the robust support for USB devices. From the first 1.1 standard, the high speed 2.0 standard and the newest addition of SuperSpeed USB 3.0.
Microsoft expects to see all new PCs have a USB 3.0 port by 2015…but I think we’ll see USB 3.0 in all PCs before the end of 2013. Microsoft also forecasts a number of 2 billion USB 3.0 devices to ship in 2015 as well.
Microsoft’s game plan is keeping their current USB stack for 1.1 and 2.0 devices as it’s proven and stable, while incorporating a new USB stack for 3.0 devices.
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Whos’ Got More Cash – Apple or US Government?
If you guess Apple, you are correct. The US Treasury released their cash savings numbers yesterday and it appears US has about 73.7billion in cash. Compare that to Apple’s cash in the back at 76.4billion and it’s clear who’s got more green. Just 9 years ago, Apple had several hundred million in the bank. This just goes to show you what a decade of strong sales can do for a retail product line such as Apple’s. Just last quarter Apple sold 20.3 million devices and with the minimum price of a couple hundred bucks per unit, that’s a big number.
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Imation Acquires IronKey Hardware Security Solution
IronKey has long been known as the ultimate in data storage and security for content loaded on a flash drive. With hardware encryption, self destruct safety protocols for incorrect passwords and AES 256 data encryption it’s no wonder those who need the ultimate in data security go to IronKey. Well no longer says Imation.
Under the agreement, Imation will receive exclusive license rights from IronKey for the secure storage management software and service along with licensing to use the IronKey brand for its secure storage products.
While Imation is bringing the IronKey brand to a global distribution channel, IronKey will accelerate their focus on cloud-based security tools and features. IronKey will support
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Jelly Batteries – A Better Solution
In a jelly battery the jelly would replace the liquid electrolytes currently used in most lithium batteries. University of Leeds dreamed up a very unique solution to our never-ending-quest for more battery power.
A new prototype of battery, the jelly battery, avoids what the pros call “thermal runaway.” The thermal runaway is what causes batteries to over heat and [sometimes] catch on fire.
The Leeds research team says their secret to success lies in the blending of a rubber like polymer with a conductive, liquid electrolyte into a thin, flexible file of gel. That film sits between the battery electrodes.
“Safety is of paramount importance in lithium batteries. Conventional lithium batteries use electrolytes based on organic liquids; this is what you see burning in pictures of lithium batteries that catch fire. Replacing liquid electrolytes by a polymer or gel electrolyte should improve safety and lead to an all-solid-state cell,”said Professor Peter Bruce from the University of St Andrews, who was not involved in the study. Continue Reading
USB Light Back For TV or Monitor
I think we can agree that “USB light back” is not a common tech term among the geeks out there. What I mean is a LED system powered by USB which provide background lighting to your TV or monitor. USB light back takes your TV one step further by supply complimentary tones and colors to what is currently being displayed on your TV. Gives you a theater effect. The only way to fully understand, is to watch: A quote from the creator:The software analyzes the image on your monitor and transfers its data by USB to the Lightpack board. This board lights the surface behind a monitor, TV or laptop by means of RGB LEDs of the corresponding colors. The effect reminds us of the illumination of Phillips Ambilight TVs most of all.The lightpack is available for all via Google Code download link. For the more advanced, but an very effective tool to enhance your TV experience. Continue Reading
USB-IF Releases USB 3.0 OTG Specification
The USB Implimentors Forum announced the availability of the USB On-The-GO [OTG] specification for embedded USB host controller applications where a PC is not required.
The supplement ensures that mobile devices such as phones or cameras are able to use a SuperSpeed USB link in both USB host and USB peripheral roles through a single receptacle. OTG and Embedded Host Devices requiring fast synchronization or streaming of rich data will benefit from this feature.
The USB OTG 3.0 and Embedded Host supplement offers power saving features equivalent to those available in USB OTG 2.0, enabling the adoption of SuperSpeed USB in mobile devices. Additionally, USB OTG 3.0 provides backward compatibility with USB OTG 2.0.
To learn more about the specification,
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New USB Power Specification – Dreamy
Cell phone standards ditched the AC/DC adapter about a year ago and it’ll be a requirement all cell phones power only via USB. Now it looks like we could do the same for computers. The USB 3.0 Promoter Group introduced a new specification to offer up to 100watts of power over a USB 3.0 cable. How convenient would that be!
Lets ditch the AC/DC power block with most laptops and just plug into one of those USB wall mount power stations. Or recharge your laptop directly off your tower PC. Or easily power an unlimited number of USB devices via your USB laptop USB 3.0 port.
This means more and more peripherals will be powered via USB and not require the extra power adapter. This ultimately mean less cost and less hassle for the average computer user.
“Building on the rapidly increasing industry momentum for using USB bus power to charge a broad range of mobile devices, the new USB Power Delivery specification extends USB’s cable power delivery capabilities beyond simple battery charging,” said Brad Saunders, USB 3.0 Promoter Group chairman, in a statement. “For example, charging the battery of a notebook PC, or simply powering that notebook PC while actively using the USB data connection, would be possible. Conceivably, a notebook PC could rely solely on a USB connection for its source of power.”The preliminary spec indicated power is bi-directional and therefore no need to switch or swap the USB cable. The new specification would be compatible with Continue Reading
DIY: Keychain Made of Dice and USB Drive
These days it’s popular to take just about any house hold item, a USB flash drive, and mill out a space to make a USB mod case. Today’s post is no exception. Using just two dice and a mini USB, in four easy steps you can make a USB dice key-chain.
Step 1: Get your items. Dice, USB, Dremel, blue or epoxy and a file.
Step 2:Â After some measurements, mill out the hold where the USB will be inserted.
Step 3: Repeat step 2 for the second die as this will be your cap. You also need to drill a hole on a dice side for the lanyard which will attached to your key-chain
Step 4: Epoxy the USB drive into the base die, and attached the lanyard to the cap die. Now you’ve got a USB dice key-chain.
You might want to take things a step further and
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