Use Your Bootable USB Drive

Follow the steps below to boot from your pre-made Beamo USB drive. Select your current operating system to get started. (The OS you're switching from).

Windows Instructions

What You'll Need

  • Your Beamo Bootable USB Drive (ready to use, no setup required)
1

Prepare Your Computer

Plug your Beamo USB drive into any available USB port on your computer. Shut down the computer completely (don't restart β€” fully shut down).

2

Access the Boot Menu

Turn on your computer and immediately start pressing the boot menu key for your manufacturer (see the table below). Press it repeatedly until the boot menu appears.

If you miss it and Windows starts loading, shut down and try again. Timing can be tricky β€” start pressing the key as soon as you hit the power button.
3

Alternative: Advanced Startup (Windows 10/11)

If the boot menu key doesn't work, you can use Windows Advanced Startup:

  1. Open Settings β†’ System β†’ Recovery
  2. Click "Restart now" under Advanced startup
  3. Select "Use a device" and choose your USB drive
4

Select Your USB Drive

In the boot menu, select your Beamo USB drive. It may appear as "USB HDD", "USB Storage Device", or show the brand name of the USB drive.

If the USB drive doesn't appear in the boot menu, you may need to disable Secure Boot in your BIOS/UEFI settings. Restart and press your BIOS key (usually F2 or Del) to access these settings.
5

Troubleshooting

USB not showing up? Try a different USB port β€” preferably a USB 2.0 port (usually black, not blue). You may also need to enable Legacy Boot or CSM in your BIOS settings.

Screen is black after selecting USB? Try adding "nomodeset" to the boot parameters. At the GRUB menu, press 'e', find the line starting with 'linux', and add 'nomodeset' before 'quiet splash'.

Boot Menu Keys by Manufacturer

ManufacturerBoot Menu Key
DellF12
HPF9
LenovoF12
ASUSF8
AcerF12
MSIF11
GigabyteF12

Need Help?

Our expert support team is ready to assist you. Reach out via email or text, Mon–Sat 10AM–7PM CST.

Text (615) 983-0838 or email beamobeamosupport.com.

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Note: our support number is text-only β€” please do not call.