How to boot USB devices?

Discussion in 'Other Virtual machines' started by viola, Mar 14, 2020.

  1. viola

    viola Hunter

    Messages:
    149
    I find myself frequently building and testing USB boot devices. Usually they are DOS booting USB flash drives.
    Parallels seems to make this task very difficult. Can someone please share step by step instructions on how to make a Parallels guest machine that always boots USB flash drives in a straightforward fashion?
     
  2. Hi, did you try to change VM configuration -> hardware -> Boot order -> and lift up the external device?
    Will it work for you?
     
  3. LeticiaM1

    LeticiaM1 Junior Member

    Messages:
    13
  4. Could you please share with us your Parallels Desktop and macOS versions?
     
  5. NellieH

    NellieH Bit poster

    Messages:
    1
    I also want to know about this.
     
  6. marys5

    marys5 Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    Connect the USB flash drive to a new PC. Turn on the PC and press the key that opens the boot-device selection menu for the computer, such as the Esc/F10/F12 keys. Select the option that boots the PC from the USB flash drive. Windows Setup starts.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 2, 2020
  7. codiant

    codiant Member

    Messages:
    32
    To boot USB devices :
    1. Insert the USB flash drive. It's recommended that you remove all other drives, memory cards, printers, scanners etc.
    2. Reboot the computer
    3. Press any key to boot from an external media, if you are prompted to do so
     
  8. WalterR7

    WalterR7 Member

    Messages:
    26
    Reminder: the question is about how to configure a Parallels VM to boot from USB device, not how to boot a full PC.
     
  9. Elric

    Elric Parallels Team

    Messages:
    1,718
    This depends on whether you are trying to boot UEFI or conventional bootable image. I can't remember all the details. But likely this information can help you a bit.
    - Plug the device to Mac.
    - Go to VM Configuration -> Hardware -> Boot Order -> Advanced.
    -- If you are using Conventional BIOS bootable USB, Type a line in "Boot flags" (without quotes)
    "vm.bios.efi=0"
    - Check the "External device" option in Boot Order list and choose your USB in "External boot device" combo.

    This should make your VM boot from the USB.
    Also you can experiment with "Select boot device on startup" option
     

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