A list of devices/machines known to definitely be able to legacy boot

[PHolder]

Because there can be some difficulty figuring out how to get your machine to do a legacy boot from a USB stick to run ReadSpeed or SpinRite, you might have struggled. If you did struggle, but eventually figured out the steps, please share the wealth here. Post your motherboard model or OEM machine model to help others search to find and figure it out. On the other hand, if you definitely learned it can't be done, there is another thread here where you can list those machines. If you're simply not sure, please ask for help to figure it out, don't start with a post in one of these two threads unless you KNOW it works or does not work.

 

[Mervyn Haynes]

Dell XPS 7590 laptop

 

[millQ]

CD/DVD ISO

https://forums.grc.com/threads/dell-studio-1737-no-usb-boot.323/#post-2816

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Macintosh:
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#1
CD/DVD Boot (no luck booting from USB)
macOS High Sierra
version 10.13.6
iMac 21.5" middle 2011 (8Gb Ram)
model name: iMac
model identifier: iMac12,1
2,7Ghz Intel core i5 (4 cores)
Boot Rom 87.0.0.0.0


#2
CD/DVD and USB Boot works
2008 Macbook 5.2 using Mac OS 10.6.8
Boot Rom MB52.0088.B06

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PC
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Asus Crosshair VII Hero (USB legacy boot)

Asus X99-Deluxe II (USB legacy boot)

 

[AlanD]

Custom PC with Asus Prime X570-P motherboard and AMD Ryzen 3700X CPU

 

[rfrazier]

Asus K52F laptop. BIOS in legacy mode. Don't even know if it does UEFI.

May your bits be stable and your interfaces be fast. Ron

 

[DanR]

Dell Optiplex XE DT
Dell Dimension 780 Tower
Dell Inspiron N7010 LT
Dell Inspiron SE7720 LT
Dell Latitude E6420 LT

No configuration changes or other tweaks on any of these machines.

 

[Dave]

HP ProDesk 400 G4 Microtower PC

Product Number: Z2H65UT

Hit ESC 873 times during boot to get to the first menu. Then select Boot Menu.

Note: FYI: Boot menu missing some "Legacy" boot entries

 

[BobJ]

Because there can be some difficulty figuring out how to get your machine to do a legacy boot from a USB stick to run ReadSpeed or SpinRite, you might have struggled. If you did struggle, but eventually figured out the steps, please share the wealth here. Post your motherboard model or OEM machine model to help others search to find and figure it out. On the other hand, if you definitely learned it can't be done, there is another thread here where you can list those machines. If you're simply not sure, please ask for help to figure it out, don't start with a post in one of these two threads unless you KNOW it works or does not work.

HP ProBook 450 GS

The instructions in the attached file:

Booting to USB on HP ProBook 450 G5

In order to run utilities such as SpinRite it is necessary to change the default boot settings on this laptop, here is a guide as to the steps needed.

1. Power up the laptop and press (fn+) F10 to enter the BIOS menu
2. Select the “Advanced” tab (on the top)
3. Select “Secure Boot Configuration”
4. Configure Legacy Support & Secure Boot by setting it to “Disable UEFI boot and Enable Legacy boot”
5. Select the “Main” tab
6. Select “Save Changes and Exit”
7. Press “Yes” to save changes
8. Enter the four digit code displayed on screen then press “Enter”
9. The PC restarts, as it does so, press (fn+) F10 to enter the BIOS menu
10. Select the “Advanced” tab (on the top)
11. Select “Boot Options”
12. DESELECT “UEFI Boot order” (this means it MUST do a legacy boot)
13. Under “Legacy Boot Order” ensure “USB” is first in the list
14. Select the “Main” tab
15. Select “Save Changes and Exit”
16. Press “Yes” to save changes
17. The PC restarts, as it does so, press ”Esc” to enter the “Start-up menu”
18. Select “Boot Menu (F9)”
19. Select the “USB” option

The laptop will now boot to your USB device

To revert back to secure UEFI booting:
1. Power up the laptop and press (fn+) F10 to enter the BIOS menu
2. Select the “Advanced” tab (on the top)
3. Select “Boot Options”
4. SELECT “UEFI Boot order” (to re-enable it)
5. Press the back arrow (top left of screen)
6. Select “Secure Boot Configuration”
7. Configure Legacy Support & Secure Boot by setting it to “Enable UEFI boot and Disable Legacy boot”
8. Select the “Main” tab
9. Select “Save Changes and Exit”
10. Press “Yes” to save changes
11. The PC restarts as normal

 

[dragosmp]

Working:
Dell Latitude 7280
Alienware 15 R3
Dell Latitude 5470
Custom PC on AM1 socket - motherboard ASUS AM1-M - boots only off the USB2.0 ports

 

[danlock]

Booted from a Gigabyte G1.Sniper Z87 motherboard's front USB 3.0 port (1 of 2) using its F12 Boot Menu after changing some BIOS options (press Del at powerup to access BIOS options) to enable the port at powerup.

The Win 8.1 boot menu might have worked also, but I didn't have to stoop that low. I think LEFT SHIFT+F8 loads that menu. *shrug*

 

[RogParish]

2012 MacBook Pro (9,1) from USB stick

I get about 17 messages "BIOS reported 0 sectors/track, assuming 63!" during the initial boot process, over about 5 minutes, but if I wait it out, it eventually runs okay. Even SpinRite, up until I have to select a run mode. Since SpinRite can't read from the USB keyboard, it all ends there.

 

[LikesCookies]

Dell XPS 8500

 

[pflack]

Dell Latitude 5285 tablet

 

[MacNala]

PCs based on the P9X79 LE motherboard from ASUS.
The various BIOS options are believed not to include native USB. boot capability. However it has been found that if there is a bootable CD/DVD in an attached CD/DVD drive that a bootable USB can be booted and has been proven to be able to run FreeDOS and WinPE

 

[Tazz]

ASRock Z590 Pro4 motherboard with Secure Boot off and CSM enabled.
F11 during startup to get to boot options.