Creating a Bootable USB Key for Updating a PXI Controller
Hardware: PXI/CompactPCI>>Controllers
Problem: I would like to create a bootable USB key for updating my PXI controller’s BIOS in DOS, but I do not have the tools to do so and do not know how. How do I create a bootable USB key to update my PXI controller’s firmware?
Solution: To create a bootable USB key for your PXI controller, you will need to use the three programs provided below in the Bootable_USB_Files.zip.
Step 1: First, you will need to create a virtual floppy drive.
NOTE: If you already have a real floppy drive, you can skip to Step 2.
- Extract
virtual floppy.zip and run Virtual Floppy Software provided
- Run
Vfdwin.exe
- Under Driver Tab, select Start
- Under Drive0 Tab, select Open » Leave Image File Blank » click Create
- Under Drive0 Tab, select Format
- Under Drive0 Tab, select Change (Drive Letter) and change it to A: (or whatever you want)
You now have a virtual floppy drive that should show up under My Computer
Step 2: Next, you will need to format your virtual floppy drive or real drive with the Boot98 software provided.
- Extract
boot98.zip
- Run
boot98.exe and format the floppy drive.
Step 3: Finally, you will create a bootable USB key.
- Extract
usbmemkeyboot.zip
- Install
SP27608.exe
- Run
HPUSBFW.exe
- Insert USB Flash Drive to be formatted
- Select File System to be FAT32
- Under Format options, select Create a DOS startup disk
- Select Browse, under using DOS system files located at:, and point to the Floppy drive that was formatted in Step 2
- Once the formatting has been completed, you can copy the PXI BIOS files (see link below for more details) or any other files to the USB key.
Related Links: KnowledgeBase 2GIGKD0Z: Determining and Upgrading PXI and VXI Embedded Controller BIOS Versions
Attachments: 
Report Date: 12/05/2006
Last Updated: 02/05/2009
Document ID: 444A570L
