[SOLVED] installing linux from disk on key usb disk

lin66uxx · 05-10-2021, 09:52 AM

Hi all,

I want to ask regarding how can I install a full linux distribution from an .iso file on a laptop that does not have dvd writer, offcourse it has usb, so after saving the distro .iso file on the usb disk how can I install it on the new laptop ??

Thanks,

DavidMcCann · 05-10-2021, 10:56 AM

Don't just save the iso file to the usb stick — all you'll have then is the iso file on the usb as well as on your hard drive. You need to create an iso image on the usb stick so that it is bootable and looks like a DVD.
1. Insert the usb stick and use the mount command to see what it's mounted as — like /dev/sdb
2. Unmount it with umount.
3. Run as root

Code:

dd if=/path_to_file.iso of=/dev/sdb status=progress

(or whatever /dev/ you got from 1)

michaelk · 05-10-2021, 11:02 AM

Not enough information provided.

It depends, did you download the ISO file on the new laptop and do we assume it runs Windows? If so you can create the USB flash drive using win32diskimager or other utility like Etcher as recommended by the distribution's documentation.

If you downloaded the ISO file to a linux PC you can create a bootable USB drive using the dd command. Be sure you use the correct device ID for your USB drive or you could potentially overwrite your operating system.

lin66uxx · 05-10-2021, 11:48 AM

I have debian 10 on the old laptop and want to create bootable usb drive, but I will not install it on the same laptop but on a new one that does not have dvd writer, never installed a os on a laptop with no dvd writer.

thanks,

lin66uxx · 05-10-2021, 12:01 PM

Quote:

2. Unmount it with umount.

I do not understand why I need to un mount it?
How can write to it while it is un mounted ?

Thanks,

jefro · 05-10-2021, 02:48 PM

https://linuxize.com/post/create-boo...tick-on-linux/ May be a way if you are careful.

ondoho · 05-11-2021, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin66uxx

I do not understand why I need to un mount it?
How can write to it while it is un mounted ?

Thanks,

DavidMcCann gave you the correct answer.
Graphical applications that effectively do the same as the dd command exist.

Although I need to stress that you shouldn't rely on the USB drive being /dev/sdb - could just as well be sdc, sdd etc... Check with

Code:

sudo fdisk -l

Learn to read the wiki before asking questions: https://www.debian.org/CD/faq/#record-unix

fatmac · 05-11-2021, 03:27 AM

You 'image copy' an .iso file to your pendrive, then it acts just like a DVD when you boot up from it.

It is a complete system image within the .iso file, so it needs to be exactly the same on your pendrive.

DavidMcCann · 05-11-2021, 11:50 AM

You mount it to discover the device name so that you write to the USB stick and not your hard drive by accident. But you have to unmount it because of the way dd works: it doesn't copy files, but just moves data from one place to another without bothering about the nature of the target. If you do that to a mounted device, the system probably couldn't work out what had happened when it tries to unmount it.