Windows XP Embedded soon to be USB bootable

**tmar89** · 10-31-2006, 09:17 AM

From Engadget:

There doesn't seem to be any shortage of products based on Windows XP Embedded, with everything from laptops to LCDs to an array of devices outside our scope of coverage running on the thing. But it looks like we could soon be seeing even more of the embedded OS if the latest service pack update is any indication. Among other things, the excessively-named Windows XP Embedded SP2 Feature Pack 2007 (set to be released next month) adds USB 2.0 boot functionality, which means that a full-fledged version of the OS can be booted from any old USB Flash drive, opening up a range of new possibilities including, as jkOnTheRun speculates, quick-boot environments for games and other applications. Possible, yes, but with runtime licenses that costs $90 per unit, it may not be the most feasible solution for casual purposes.

reference: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogs...t/~3/43542755/

**matt11601** · 10-31-2006, 04:38 PM

I don't know much about OS booting, but does this mean a faster boot time into Windows?

**SFiorito** · 10-31-2006, 06:30 PM

it depends. i've booted XP from USB flash drives and it's pretty damn fast as long as you use a fast drive.

**matt11601** · 10-31-2006, 07:46 PM

Pretty interesting. I hope some forum members can come back with some results.

**liquid_smoke** · 11-01-2006, 01:02 PM

yeah this is pretty cool, and not just for car pc use.

**dreadnort** · 11-02-2006, 08:15 AM

don't forget that most usb drives have a read write life
they would be constantly written to

**SFiorito** · 11-02-2006, 09:20 AM

that's why you use EWF of FBWF to limit the write operations to the drive

**RedGTiVR6** · 11-02-2006, 09:37 AM

good find!

Guess I'll wait on the CF boot thing then!

**SFiorito** · 11-02-2006, 04:46 PM

be aware there are some issues to USB booting....specifically that your mobo BIOS needs to support hi-speed USB booting. Even if your mobo has USB2 ports, the BIOS may not initialize them in hi-speed mode. This will force you to run at 12Mbps versus 480Mbps.

For more info on this, see my old posts on booting my uDOC: Finally got to test the uDOC on XP