[SOLVED] openSUSE LiveUSB boot problem

wishingstar · 06-20-2011, 12:30 AM

Hello everyone,

I recently decided to try out openSUSE after spending two good years with k/ubuntu. I followed the tutorial posted here for creating a bootable USB disk for openSUSE:

http://lizards.opensuse.org/2008/05/...d-fastest-way/

However, whenever I try to start the computer from the flash drive, this is what happens (note: my computer IS able to boot from flash, so it's not a BIOS problems, and the openSUSE LiveUSB is formatted to FAT32 and has syslinux):

1- After the computer starts, I hit F12 to change the boot device and select USB Memory.
2- Syslinux 4.04 starts correctly, I enter: openSUSE_Live_KDE and hit return (as per the instructions shown on boot to pick an image to run from the flash disk)
3- Syslinux then loads the linux kernel and initrdud correctly, then starts spitting out lines of terminal-like code.
4- the last few lines it displays are:

Code:

Waiting for USB device(s) to appear.....
Failed to detect USB drive!
shellException: providing shell...
(none):/ #

5- After that the computer completely stops responding.

I cannot use a LiveCD because the drive on my computer stopped working a while back, so I NEED to use the LiveUSB. I wanted to switch to openSUSE because I heard it's much more stable with KDE than Kubuntu, but I am discouraged now after not being able to even boot into it!

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Wishing Star

corrytonapple · 06-20-2011, 05:13 PM

My experience with trying to boot OpenSUSE KDE via USB is that it will not work. Trust me, I have tried every way possible, from a GUI app to a CLI code strand. I eventually went out of my way to put it on a CD, and it booted fine. I believe that openSUSE does not like USB drives....
Good Luck!

wishingstar · 06-21-2011, 08:22 AM

So as far as you know there's no way to boot openSUSE from USB stick?

If that's the case, i'm gonna be stuck with kubuntu until I get a new laptop...oh well!

Thanks for the help
WishingStar

yancek · 06-21-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

So as far as you know there's no way to boot openSUSE from USB stick?

There are numerour sites describing exactly how to do it. The problem is that a lot of them require it to be done from a Live CD and yours is not functioning. You can also do it from an Opensuse install as described here:

http://www.ehow.com/how_6871881_inst...ash-drive.html

Have your tried unetbootin?

wishingstar · 06-21-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yancek

There are numerour sites describing exactly how to do it. The problem is that a lot of them require it to be done from a Live CD and yours is not functioning. You can also do it from an Opensuse install as described here:

http://www.ehow.com/how_6871881_inst...ash-drive.html

This is actually the same method I followed (from the lizards blog)--> see above for resulting error

Quote:

Originally Posted by yancek

Have your tried unetbootin?

That was my first try, kept getting "no operating system found" on the DOS screen when booting from USB.

londy · 06-28-2011, 07:08 PM

Quote:

This is actually the same method I followed (from the lizards blog)--> see above for resulting error

They don't look like the same method to me.

I've successfully created a live usb by following the Linux console instructions here:

http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:Live_USB_stick

Larry Webb · 06-28-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by londy

They don't look like the same method to me.

I've successfully created a live usb by following the Linux console instructions here:

http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:Live_USB_stick

I have created three for friends using this tutorial and all have worked.

jefro · 06-28-2011, 08:20 PM

I'd wonder if the download is good. It seems like the usb should have booted but it may be an issue with how some bios's work on live usb's.
It might be that you need to change how your usb is viewed. I think the flipbit from pendrivelinux may change it to a hard drive instead of a usb removable storage. http://www.getusb.info/flip-your-bit...e-local-drive/

The official OpenSuse page is the one that is rather complex but should work.

wishingstar · 06-29-2011, 09:00 AM

jefro, thanks a bunch! Your tip about flipping the bit worked perfectly, I was finally able to boot from USB!

For reference, in case anyone runs into this problem:

1) Use windows to prepare the USB stick
2) Install and use the flip bit executable on your USB stick. Link:
http://www.getusb.info/flip-your-bit...e-local-drive/
3) install imagewriter (from the opensuse website)
4) Run imagewriter.exe and format the USB stick WHILE IMAGEWRITER IS OPEN
5) follow the next steps as on the opensuse website and boot from USB

Thanks all for the help

Jetchisel · 11-25-2011, 11:34 PM

Hi folks you can install Opensuse directly on USB.

---------- Post added 11-26-11 at 12:34 AM ----------

http://jason.ferrer.com.ph/2011/08/o...loaded_16.html