OpenBSD-create bootable flash drive

CaptainKidd · 06-24-2016, 10:05 AM

I have downloaded OpenBSD install59.fs, now to create a bootable flash drive.

OpenBSD literature says: dd if=/dev/location/install*.fs of=/dev/rsd6c bs=1M

My usbstick, (dd'd with zeroes) is /dev/sdb. I have tried all kinds of substitutions for /dev/rsd6c with no luck.

Should have mentioned, my computers boot .iso install files from usb. I even tried to copy install59.iso to flash drive, but install not work.

Maybe just some simple thing I'm not seeing.

Emerson · 06-24-2016, 11:59 AM

Quote:

My usbstick, (dd'd with zeroes) is /dev/sdb. I have tried all kinds of substitutions for /dev/rsd6c with no luck.

The only valid device is /dev/sdb then.

CaptainKidd · 06-24-2016, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emerson

The only valid device is /dev/sdb then.

Working in the directory holding the input file, first thing I did was:
dd if=install59.fs of=/dev/sdb bs=512
Not work.

CaptainKidd · 06-24-2016, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainKidd

I have downloaded OpenBSD install59.fs, now to create a bootable flash drive.

OpenBSD literature says: dd if=/dev/location/install*.fs of=/dev/rsd6c bs=1M

My usbstick, (dd'd with zeroes) is /dev/sdb. I have tried all kinds of substitutions for /dev/rsd6c with no luck.

Should have mentioned, my computers boot .iso install files from usb. I even tried to copy install59.iso to flash drive, but install not work.

Maybe just some simple thing I'm not seeing.

I solved it. I did rtfm where it instructs as I wrote above. And, not understanding what the fm means, I tried many substitutions for /dev/rsd6c to no avail. Finally, I did as the FreeBSD users do and I entered:
dd if=install59.fs of=/dev/sdb bs=1M conv=sync. No thanks to the instructions, I'm now installing OpenBSD.

cynwulf · 06-30-2016, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainKidd

No thanks to the instructions, I'm now installing OpenBSD.

You will find that the documentation for OpenBSD applies to OpenBSD. So it is correct, as is the syntax, just not for whatever OS / version of dd you were using.