clueless in NJ - obviously

[sorahl]

Ok. I am feeling fairly stupid at this point because i'm anticipating someone giving me the DUH do this, stupid. But i'm frustrated.
I have purchased SpinRite 6.1.. have a usb stick . I've done a number of things - ran SpinRite and had it create the bootable image on the USB stick. it doesn't work. I am using a laptop to test, where it is attempting to boot from usb but it says it is not bootable. When i look at the directory listing for the the stick i agree. All i see there a File called EDIT and SPINRITE
I next tried the BootAble, again had it create a USB and no change.
WHAT am I missing?
Thanks In advance..

 

[Tazz]

SpinRite will not boot if your PC is in UEFI boot mode.
BootAble was made for users to test if their PC can be set to "Legacy" or "BIOS" boot mode before purchasing SpinRite. Most newer PCs do not have the option for "Legacy" or "BIOS" boot.

If you post your PC specs or motherboard model we can help to identify the issue.


***IF YOU USE BITLOCKER be sure to read the part about half way down the BootAble download page about
"Secure boot and BitLocker DANGER WILL ROBINSON !!!" ***

From the BootAble download page:
“Secure Boot” and Legacy / BIOS / CSM mode

Microsoft created “Secure Boot” specifically to prevent unsigned operating systems (like DOS or FreeDOS) from booting on modern computers, and Intel has replaced the original BIOS startup firmware (which all DOS's require) with UEFI.

In order to boot FreeDOS – which BootAble and SpinRite require – “Secure Boot” must be temporarily turned off (if it's on), and a system's startup firmware must have Legacy, BIOS, or CSM boot mode enabled. (Do not turn off secure boot until you check for BitLocker. See below.) Some systems refer to “CSM” which stands for Compatibility Support Module – another name for BIOS – so that's what you want.

Therefore, to boot FreeDOS and run BootAble or SpinRite: If “Secure Boot” is ON it needs to be turned off (but see the important details below, first!) and if a system has UEFI firmware its ability to also boot Legacy, BIOS, or CSM must be enabled.


edit: Added link to BootAble download page.

 

[PHolder]

I would augment @Tazz 's warning to be "If you don't know that you don't use BitLocker, check to make sure it wasn't automatically enabled by the OS."