The Universal TCP/IP Network Bootdisk is a DOS bootdisk that provides TCP/IP networking support. It's designed for use in Microsoft networking environments, on either peer-to-peer or domain based LANs. Currently 98 different network card drivers all included, all on the single 1.44MB disk! Most people use this bootdisk for "Ghosting" PC's over a network connection. This disk will provide the DOS networking and drivers to allow the mapping of a network drive containing your imaging software and files. TCP/IP based image transfers, like GhostCast is also supported!
USB Booting
YES! it is possible to convert the bootdisk so it runs off a bootable USB memory stick (or flash disk). The process varies from slightly for each USB memory manufacturer. Unforeauntely there doesn't seem to be a one-size-fits-all formatter, otherwise I would've had this a automated this feature long before now :)
The basic process, for advanced users is this:
Step 1) Format the USB memory stick has a bootable disk using the manufacturers formating program. This often comes on a CD that's included with the Win98 drivers for your memory stick.
Step 2) Transfer the NetBootDisk files to the disk, either manually by copying them off an existing NetBootDisk floppy, or by editing the drv= value in MAKEDISK.BAT and using that.
Step 3) Fix any error that may have been introduced. Check command.com's location and any config.sys file references.
Prewritten Guides
Here is Berry ten Caat's guide for creating a USB bootable NetBootDisk. He has used the HP's USB formatter successfully on his non-HP branded USB memory sticks!
Formatting as USB-FDD, USB-HDD, or USB-ZIP
What ever you format the USB disk as, you'll need to make sure the computer's BIOS is set to boot off the same type. For example: If you format the USB as a floppy, you'll need the PC's BIOS set to boot to USB-FDD. If the BIOS is set to boot to USB-HDD or USB-ZIP then it won't work.
To make matters worse, I've previously found that some computers will boot a USB disk when formatted as one type, where as others won't. Might've just been my USB stick, but annoyingly unreliable never the less
I would try formatting as a USB-FDD first.
Another really simple way to USB boot...
A colleague of mine USB booted the NetBootDisk by using a USB Floppy drive. Simple uh :) Naturually it's not as fast as native USB booting, but it sure saves a lot of time mucking around if you only need it for a five minute job!
