How to, bootable thum drive?

dad · 10-18-2009, 03:50 PM

Ok I have another one. I want to buy a netbook and install 2009.1 on it or try anyway. I copied the files from the dvd on to the thum drive but it doesn't boot. Is it possible to do this?
thanks

htnakirs · 10-19-2009, 01:13 AM

Use PCLinuxOS live Cd to boot, and then use the inbuilt makeusb tool to create a bootable USB. Other distros like Puppy also have this tool. From my experience, Puppy's tool is better.

james2b · 10-19-2009, 01:35 AM

This is a great site for USB flash help; http://www.pendrivelinux.com/ and this here; http://www2.mandriva.com/flash/ , and good luck.

ongte · 10-19-2009, 03:44 AM

The Mandrive One ISO files are bootable from USB. All you need is to write the image into a thumbdrive using dd, something like this:

Code:

# dd if=MandrivaOne2009.iso of=/dev/sdc bs=1024 count=1

This will wipe ur thumbdrive and put the iso into it. Be careful with the device name. Don't accidentally wipe ur harddrive. Also make sure to unmount it first.

If ur using the Mandriva Free DVD, then u'll need unetbootin.

dad · 10-20-2009, 01:50 PM

Somebody on the Mandriva forum told me to use this command...dd if=mdvimage.iso of=/dev/sdb
but I got an error about mdvimage.iso not being on the disk.
I just don't want to buy a dvd drive just for one install, I could spend the money on my kids car parts!

rolf · 10-20-2009, 08:27 PM

I suspect that adviser used mdvimage.iso as a generic name and you would use, for example mandriva-linux-free-2009.1-i586.iso or whatever is the file you have in your working directory. You can use the ls command, then copy/paste the file or type the first few letters and press Tab for Tab completion....

Code:

[rolf@localhost mandriva-linux-free-2009.1-i586]$ ls
135959-mandriva-2009-spring-x64-kde-4-2-2-18537.jpg  mandriva-free-1024x7681.jpg
2009.1-boot-Free_theme.png                           mandriva-linux-free-2009.1-i586.idx
2009.1_free.glabels                                  mandriva-linux-free-2009.1-i586.iso
3249123814_c8042ea6c1.jpg                            mandriva-linux-free-2009.1-i586.iso.md5
Install_boot.jpeg                                    mandriva-linux-free-2009.1-i586.iso.md5.asc
mandriva_20091_beta.jpg                              mandriva-linux-free-2009.1-i586.iso.sha1
Mandriva-2009-1-RC2-Screenshot-Tour-17.jpg           writecd.cmp.log
Mandriva-2009-1-RC2-Screenshot-Tour-31.jpg

Also, /dev/sdb is, likely, generic. You have to be certain of the device name. Become root and do,

Code:

# tailf /var/log/messages

Plug the usb key and watch what the kernel names the device.

ctrl-c will quit the tail program.

You have to be root to run the dd command in all cases I have used it, anyway.

Another method is to use the Mandriva Seed program. If you read the entire following thread, you should have enough information to do that: http://forum.mandriva.com/viewtopic....er=asc&start=0

dad · 10-20-2009, 08:54 PM

I posted also on Linuxquestion.org and some posted this below and it worked first time. I took the drive an put it another computer and it worked.

The problem with generic things at least for me is I don't always identify whats genetic. I'm going to follow the steps as close as possible so I don't screw up.

As root I cd to /media/cdrom and ran the command below about 10 minutes later it was done.

dd if=/dev/sr0 of=/dev/sdb

this is perfect for the new netbooks to get rid of billy's windoz's stuff,. no need to buy that $80 external cdrom!!!!

Thanks everyone