Are all usb storage sticks flash drives?

[Dana]

or is there a difference?

 

[HK]

I always thought they were the same :dunno

 

[Dana]

i assk because im trying to boot from one and it doesnt seem to be working

 

[Darrell]

As far as I know they are the same.

 

[HottyToddyChick]

I thought they were the same too

 

[HK]

I don't understand the phrase 'boot from one' in this context, can you explain further?

 

[NuckingFuts]

I don't understand the phrase 'boot from one' in this context, can you explain further?

I think he is trying to load something from it to his computer.

 

[HottyToddyChick]

Could it just be that you don't have the program you need on your computer?

Or can you not get to the folder?

 

[Darrell]

I don't understand the phrase 'boot from one' in this context, can you explain further?

It sounds like he probably die a fresh OS install or he plans to. So he created a boot disk on the flash drive, meaning he wants the computer to boot the OS from that stick rather than the HDD.

 

[Dana]

It sounds like he probably die a fresh OS install or he plans to. So he created a boot disk on the flash drive, meaning he wants the computer to boot the OS from that stick rather than the HDD.

yes. Trying to test out Linux

 

[retro]

You have to change the BIOS settings to be able to boot from it. Most modern motherboards will support that option.

Not all drives are created equal though... older ones use the USB 1.1 standard (like, really older ones), newer run USB 2.0, and even newer are starting to have USB 3.0. The other difference is the speed of the memory chips contained within each drive, how fast it can write and access data depends on the speed of the chip and chipset involved.

 

[Dana]

I thought i did that but the BIOS on this laptop is different from my old desktop

 

[Ammonite]

A flash drive is the same as a USB storage device. Other common names for such devices are USB key, memory stick, pen drive, and more. Either name can be used, as the device has flash memory but connects to a USB port.

As for the booting problem, you must properly format the USB drive to be bootable. If you are trying to boot an OS from it, such as a Linux distro or Windows nLite, it must be properly formatted and prepared. The files must also be bootable on the device, I'm sure you know. Also ensure your computer supports booting from USB, I assume it does if you have already checked the BIOS. Most laptops should boot the USB device on start-up if you hold down a certain key, it should say on the screen what to press as you boot.