[SOLVED] A bootable usb is done by Unetbootin which doesn't work

IcomeFromVN · 05-25-2021, 05:50 AM

I formatted a flash drive

Code:

$ sudo wipefs --all --force /dev/sdb
$ sudo umount /dev/sdb /dev/sdb1
$ sudo parted -s -a optimal -- /dev/sdb mklabel msdos
$ sudo parted -s -a optimal -- /dev/sdb mkpart primary fat32 1MiB 100%
$ sudo parted -s -- /dev/sdb align-check optimal 1
$ sudo mkfs.vfat -F32 /dev/sdb1

And I made a bootable usb with Unetbbotin. But when I boot it from BIOS, it doesn't work, the words "Operating system not found" appear, and the BIOS boot from hard drive. I tried other distro's iso but hasn't changed. So anyone know the problem? Thank.

PROBLEM: I forgot set bootable partition after make partition

Code:

(parted) set 1 boot on
# "1" is the first partition

use

Code:

command (m for help): a

if you use fdisk

michaelk · 05-25-2021, 06:40 AM

What distributions have you tried?

Unetbootin is known not to work with some ISO files. Using dd can be scary but is my choice when running linux.

pan64 · 05-25-2021, 06:59 AM

you do not need to make partitions, just copy the iso file. How did you use unetbootin ? (yes, would be better to use another tool).

fatmac · 05-25-2021, 01:06 PM

There are still a few distros that don't work with unetbootin, try a different imager, (or learn to use dd).

(Nearly all distros are 'hybrid' these days so should work.)

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-too...-usb-iso-file/

If you want to try out a lot of different distros, this has been recommended by quite a few people.
https://www.linuxuprising.com/2020/0...by-simply.html

beachboy2 · 05-25-2021, 01:28 PM

IcomeFromVN,

As mentioned by michaelk, dd is a reliable route, but do be careful when are selecting the USB drive (sdc1?).

Open Terminal:

Code:

sudo su
fdisk -l

(will list ALL drives including your USB drive which will be shown as /dev/sdc1 or similar)

NB Do NOT format sda or sdb etc which are your existing drives!!

Next, unmount the device:

Code:

umount /dev/sdc1

Next, format device to FAT32:

Code:

mkdosfs -F 32 -I /dev/sdc1

For user fred and the ISO file in Downloads (change to Desktop or other directory as required):

Code:

sudo dd if=/home/fred/Downloads/linuxmint-19.3-mate-64bit.iso of=/dev/sdc bs=4M

Then wait for a few minutes until the records in and out are shown.

Code:

root@akasa:/home/fred# sudo dd if=/home/tivy/Desktop/linuxmint-19.3-mate-64bit.iso of=/dev/sdc bs=4M

501+1 records in
501+1 records out
2101542912 bytes (2.1 GB, 2.0 GiB) copied, 150.788 s, 13.9 MB/s

Note that records in and out must match.

jefro · 05-25-2021, 05:04 PM

I will suggest a slightly different approach.

Power down system, remove power/data from internal drive, boot to linux media with usb installed. Install system to usb flash drive. Update it and you have a fully working upgradable portable linux distro.

Assumes a few things.

As others have noted. Live usb creators are not 100% effective. Pendrivelinux.com has some web tutorials.