T&T: Alternative to hard drives in computers

[George Rankin]

>From: Rich Werner [mailto:poco@werner2.com] 
>
>Here is a link for setting up a bootable USB "key".  It's functionality is
>dependent on your computer.  Have not tried it yet.

>From a quick reading, this method is only for data recovery.  It boots a
minimal (non-Microsoft) operating system with network support that allows
you to retrieve files from your hard disk that would be otherwise lost if
the OS was corrupt.   Sort of like the emergency recovery CD.   This would
not get you to where we want to be, which is running Coastal Explorer under
Windows XP without a hard disk attached.

As of 2004, Microsoft wasn't quite there with booting the operating system
from USB devices.   ("Current versions of Windows should not be installed to
USB hard disk drives because Windows does not support USB hard disk drives
as the primary boot device.")  I would guess that could be one of the
features of Vista, but will have to see.   

Note that to even get to first base requires support from the BIOS (the
built in layer of hardware support) on your machine for booting from a USB
device.  If the BIOS doesn't support USB as a boot option then you are
stuck.  In some cases there may be a more recent version of the BIOS with
this support that you can flash to your machine, but now we are way into
computer land and far from the water.

See: 
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/usb-boot.mspx

-----Original Message-----
From: Rich Werner [mailto:poco@werner2.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 3:21 PM
To: 'George Rankin'; trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com
Subject: RE: Alternative to hard drives in computers

Here is a link for setting up a bootable USB "key".  It's functionality is
dependent on your computer.  Have not tried it yet.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2041234,00.asp

Rich Werner
GB32-277
 

-----Original Message-----
From: trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces@lists.samurai.com
[mailto:trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces@lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of
George Rankin
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 01:06 PM
To: trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com
Subject: T&T: Alternative to hard drives in computers

I don't know how many computers can boot from a memory stick, which would be
a requirement if you want to replace the disk drive.    I see from the all
knowing google that some do, but it probably has to be a pretty recent
model. 

You can get a solid state replacement to your hard disk, which is something
that I am planning for my next boat computer.    

You can find solid state disk drives at places like
http://www.computer-memory-store.com/ide-laptop-flash-drives.html (I haven't
bought from them, no idea how reputable they are.)   The upside is that it
is a plug in replacement to your IDE drive, is fast, low power, and  has no
moving parts.  Being a direct replacement for the IDE drive is good, because
then no computer software can even tell that you have a nontraditional disk.
Booting off of CF or a memory stick is one of those things that "ought to"
work, which generally translates to "you are the guinea pig."


The downside is that they are expensive and are of relatively limited size.
You can get 4gb which should be enough for navigation and Windows XP for
about $250 and prices seem to still be dropping.    I would guess that you
would want to make sure that the computer power supply was well isolated,
but other than that it should be more reliable in a marine environment than
a disk spinning at 10,000 rpm.   

I'm still trying to find out if heat rejection is an issue.


(Side note, I remember being completely thrilled that 100 megabyte disks
were available even though they were incredibly expensive.   Now I'm
complaining that four gigabytes is too small.   Times change.)

George Rankin
Waiting on new boat.
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