Any other way I can boot a PC (besides of HDD, FDD or CD)

[theplanb]

Now I have a problem..
Ok my seagate baraccuda 4 HDD has some bad sectors.
I've checked out seagate website and did all the test I could find from there and it says I have possible failing HDD..
And I'm 99% sure that this is causing frequent lock ups of the Windows.

Now, I can't RMA it. I can't wait for it to be sent and returned.
I have no way to back up the datas in the first place since my CD-Writer bit the dust some time ago and I have no spare HDD or even a FDD (some ruddy idiots suggested that I don't need a FDD )

There is one possibility, I can use their diagnostic tool and if somehow it fixes it, I might be able to reinstall windows with the possibily bad sector ignored.

But this tool can't be run on windows.
The PC has to be booted from the specially prepared floppy disk or a CD which has the tool on it.

I have no FDD or CD-Wrtier to make this.. (no, I'm not buying a floppy drive..)
I'm stumped.

Is there any other way that I can boot this thing from USB memory device (which I own) or any others?

 

[EeyoreX]

Maybe you can boot from a USB drive, if your BIOS supports it. Of course, my first inclination would be to advice you to get a floppy drive. They are what, five bucks? And your opinion in your post is contradictory. First you call the people who advised against a floppy "ruddy idiots" and now you proclaim you won't buy a floppy. Which is it? Obviously a floppy would be a help here yet you didn't listen to the "idiots" the first time, and you don't seem to want to listen to the "non-idots" this time. Oh well, see if your BIOS supports booting from USB. Good luck.

\Dan

 

[jlr69t]

Why not just spend the 15 dollars and get a floppy? And I don't think you can boot from your UBS mini drive.

 

[5mudge]

http://www.gearxs.com/gearxs/product_info.php?cPath=90&products_id=1823

Found the FDD for $7.95, includes free shipping. If a FDD cable is needed, they'll throw one in for $1.99. You don't need to "install" it - just attach it to the FDD controller and a power cable and let it sit on bubble wrap while you use it. Once the machine is booted and you've done your business, power down, unattach the FDD and the cable and throw both of them in your parts cabinet until you (or perhaps a friend) need them again.