Dumping *.img to USB flash drive with /bin/dd

Erik_the_Red · 10-19-2008, 12:58 PM

I'm currently using Ubuntu, but I'd like to give Arch Linux a try.

Their Wiki gives the following command for dumping an *.img file to a USB stick:

Code:

dd if=archlinux-2008.06-[core_or_ftp]-i686.img of=/dev/sdx

They warn that this will "...destroy all data on your USB stick."

Does that mean that if I do this, I can't use the USB stick for anything else?

Total-MAdMaN · 10-19-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik_the_Red

Does that mean that if I do this, I can't use the USB stick for anything else?

It just means any data currently on the stick will be lost.

Erik_the_Red · 10-19-2008, 01:08 PM

Great. I was afraid the command would brick the USB stick. Thanks!

onebuck · 10-19-2008, 01:35 PM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik_the_Red

I'm currently using Ubuntu, but I'd like to give Arch Linux a try.

Their Wiki gives the following command for dumping an *.img file to a USB stick:

Code:

dd if=archlinux-2008.06-[core_or_ftp]-i686.img of=/dev/sdx

They warn that this will "...destroy all data on your USB stick."

Does that mean that if I do this, I can't use the USB stick for anything else?

You could create partitions on the USB. Then write to the partition of choice. Make sure to have enough space for the partition to cover the size of the image. For the other partition(s) be sure to format with the filesystem of choice.

jschiwal · 10-19-2008, 02:56 PM

By this "if=archlinux-2008.06-[core_or_ftp]-i686.img" they may mean if=archlinux-2008.06-core-i686.img or if=archlinux2008.06-ftp-i686.img depending on which image you want on the usb pendrive. You probably already know this from the file that you have.