Creating a MS-DOS bootable flash drive

2. Unzip these files and remember where each is located. Connect the USB Flash Drive to be used and execute HPUSBFW.EXE.

How do I Create a DOS Bootable USB Flash Drive?

1. To create a bootable USB memory stick, download the files attached to this article (hpusbfw.zip and dos.zip).

2. Unzip these files and remember where each is located. Connect the USB Flash Drive to be used and execute HPUSBFW.EXE.

3. Click on Create a DOS startup disk, then choose using DOS system files.

4. Browse to where the DOS boot up files were unzipped and press OK.

5. To begin creating the DOS bootable USB flash drive, press Start.

6. When prompted to confirm that all items on the USB drive will be deleted, press OK.

7. When this process completes, the USB drive will be able to boot the machine into a DOS environment. This becomes a useful tool for running diagnostic software (Seatools, memtest, etc) or for flashing the latest BIOS. Depending on the model, the setting in the BIOS to choose in order to boot from a USB key is USB-ZIP or the manufacturer of the USB drive itself.

Creating a MS-DOS bootable flash drive

Booting MS-DOS from a USB drive can be useful for applying BIOS updates and other tasks.

Required Tools

• USB flash drive (32GB or smaller)
• A Windows 7/10 PC

Creating the drive

• Download the Rufus tool from rufus.ie

• Launch Rufus
• Under “Device” select your USB drive
• Under “Boot selection” choose “FreeDOS”

• Click START at the bottom of the window

• Double check you have selected the correct drive and press OK to proceed

• When the status bar says READY, the process is complete

• Copy any files you will need in DOS to the flash drive. If you are applying a BIOS update, copy those files now.
• Eject and unplug the flash drive

Booting to the drive

• Connect the flash drive to the target PC and power it on. Go into the BIOS (Typically F2/Del/Esc) and set it as the primary boot device.
• On newer systems, it is necessary to enable CSM / legacy boot mode as shown.

• If successful, you will be greeted with the familiar old DOS prompt.
• Use the dir command to confirm what files are on your USB drive.
• Update .bat files can be executed by typing the filename.

Updated on October 5, 2021