Ubuntu :usb startup disk creator problem
 

I've tried to create a USB StartUp disk using Ubuntu 9.04.
Everything appeared to proceed flawlessly and I downloaded the OS etc.
When I tried to boot the USB disk, I got the Err.: unknown keyword in configure file.
This sounds like a generic, trifling problem, if I knew a bit more about it. Any suggestions of how I should proceed to edit what file, where?
Matthew

Yes, it is just a "bug"
If you post your syslinux.cfg I can tell you whats wrong...?

Thanks Linus,
not having much luck here though. This is what I get when I troll for the syslinux.cfg file in a shell.


"mjh@mjh-desktop:~$ whereis syslinux.cfg
syslinux: /usr/bin/syslinux /usr/lib/syslinux /usr/share/man/man1/syslinux.1.gz
mjh@mjh-desktop:~$ "

Matthew

the syslinux.cfg is on the USB
either in a syslinux folder or just on the root / of the usb

try to copy/paste it into your next post

Sorry about that:o

This is what I get:


include menu.cfg
default vesamenu.c32
prompt 0
timeout 300
gfxboot bootlogo

yes
the dreaded multi-piece Ubuntu isolinux/syslinux .cfg's:(

Its OK though
as I will give you my tweaked ones
a 3 piece

OR

I can tell you how to fix yours?

in the syslinux folder should be a menu.cfg, syslinux.cfg, prompt.cfg, text.cfg
and others

I have located menus,stdmenu,text and prompt} .cfg

Which would be preferrable, to make changes in some of these files or to use your fix?
Matthew

My fix is is I just combined them all into a simple isolinux.cfg and syslinux.cfg
as they should be...

For my Phalanx-9.04 project
http://linux.softpedia.com/get/Syste...DE-52442.shtml

http://linux.softpedia.com/progViewO...DE-52442,.html
I made the menu's 3 seperate pieces
isolinux.cfg
menu.cfg
vesamenu.cfg

and the same for the syslinux folder(which no other Ubuntu has.

I had to do this as Ubuntu still uses a hacked version of syslinux 3.63
very old (current is 3.83+)

so, if you use Unetbootin inside Ubuntu or USB-Creator, it will install
old 3.63 syslinux and you wont have graphical boot menu

so, I had to make a text boot menu (menu.cfg)
and a graphical boot menu (vesamenu.cfg)
both tied to the isolinux.cfg/syslinux.cfg

if you have a syslinux version of 3.72+ you can use graphical menu

anyway, I can supply you with just a graphical isolinux.cfg/syslinux.cfg if you have a new syslinux installed to usb?

or the 3 piece or text?

Here is Phalanx-9.04 text and graphical boot menus
http://multidistro.com/distros/ubunt...d/menu.c32.png

http://multidistro.com/distros/ubunt...samenu.c32.png

Big difference huh??

I'm afraid you lost me there. That's not hard to do.
Can't seem to determine what ver. syslinux I have installed on the USB.
I have not used unetbootin either inside Ubuntu or on the USB disk.
Your question: "anyway, I can supply you with just a graphical isolinux.cfg/syslinux.cfg if you have a new syslinux installed to usb?"

How will I determine what version I have. My question with --version gets an err msg: "/usr/lib/syslinux: is a directory"

Matthew

If you used any Ubuntu to install syslinux or ubuntu to usb then you have old 3.63 hacked ubuntu version

Best version I have used is 3.83, which Debian Lenny uses.

Very easy to install syslinux to usb, and I can provide 3.83 syslinux and syslinux.exe
you want them?

Do not try to install syslinux to Ubuntu via ./make or any other way
it will end in errors
you are stuck with 3.63 unles you use higher syslinux

I used a Ubuntu disk to install my current Ubuntu v. 9.04 and created the USB disc with that.
I would love to have your syslinux 3.83 but please make your instructions kindergarten dumb. I'm very unaccomplished at the command line:(
I tried to upgrade to Ubuntu v. 9.10 but had to remove it because it didn't recognize my nvidia card/settings/drivers/?? and I was greeted with a blank screen.
Your help is much appreciated.
Matthew.

OK

here's syslinux & syslinux.exe 3.82 or 3.83 from PartedMagic 4.5
http://multidistro.com/syslinux-3.82.zip

get that and to install it from:
both Linux and Windows(syslinux.exe)
http://syslinux.zytor.com/wiki/index.php/SYSLINUX

Short version:
To install newer syslinux from within Linux(Ubuntu)

1) download.zip above to your Ubuntu Desktop
extract it to Desktop (right-click/extract-here)

2) Open a terminal from Accessories menu
"cd" change-directory, to the Desktop, syslinux-3.82 extracted folder
3) Insert USB and have it mounted

4) Find where USB is mounted and USB device name:
Enter "mount" into terminal
It should say
Device name may be sda1,sdb1,sdc1,etc
mountpoint may be /media/disk

5) Knowing USB device name;Invoke syslinux in syslinux-3.82 folder:
you must use
or it will just install Ubuntu's normal syslinux:(

Now you have syslinux-3.82/.83 installed to USB!

Now, a Graphical boot menu!?

Get my isolinux/syslinux folder's and put them on USB
Move existing isolinux/syslinux off USB to somewhere

Pick out your fav wallpaper, darker is better
using Gimp, scale wallpaper to 640x480 and save as .png

Then edit my syslinux.cfg and replace
with yours
Heres my Phalanx-9.04 isolinux/syslinux folders with goodies inside
Plop bootmanager
NetbootCD-3.1.2
and configs
http://multidistro.com/904cfgs.zip

so try all that and in the isolinux folder
you will find 2 scripts to make iso images
gen_iso.sh
make_iso.sh

In Ubuntu you probably have genisoimage vs mkisofs
so use gen_iso.sh
double-click and select "run in terminal"
give iso a name that ends in .iso
myubuntu.iso

also, if in the "preseed" folder it has a text file
if it's not named "ubuntu.seed"
then rename syslinux.cfg entries as they say
so, see if that helps?

Gulp!

I'll need two days or so to work through that:D
But I'll give it a try and get back to you.
Matthew

OOps!
I don't have a windows OS on my computer. Does this make a difference?
Matthew

You dont need windows