Bootable USB
 

I was trying to make a bootable usb using unetbootin, after booting using that usb, I got an error.

No file system found
Sleeping forever.

Is there a problem with the iso file or is anything wrong with my usb stick.

we would need more info bro

what distro?
is boot flag set active on usb?
did you use Unetbootin in windows or linux?

Some usb flash drives are real stinkers.

We can't guess if your install failed or the flash drive failed.

Did the flash drive ever boot? Might have to use HP tools on it or see the maker of the flash for tools. Some have an app to flip the bit.

Some flash drive may never work.

Second is your bios.
I'd actually start here.
Might have to cold boot to bios screen. See if the flash shows up under hard drive's and not under usb. Might also be listed or have to selected as usb-zip or usb-cd even.

If you see it as a hard drive option then move it up above the normal installed hard drive.

The only way that you can boot from a USB device is if your BIOS (or system firmware) supports that.

Earlier-vintage computer systems probably can't do that. Later-vintage systems possibly can.

In any case: the BIOS must be smart enough to locate the USB device, identify it, and be able to "boot from" it. Rather a tall order, actually.

You might find that there's a "flash ROM update" available for your machine . . .

You don't need "unetbootin". Just get the .iso of the desired GNU/Linux distribution and use dd to put it on the stick; like so:

It was a Fedora 12 iso file, and a 4GB kingston usb and I was using unetbootin on windows 7, well my BIOS does support it, and I have done it successfully in the past for ubuntu 9.10 using a usb, using unetbootin, but that was a different stick, so my guess was that there might be some problem with the usb.
Anyways, thank you all for your repiles.

I again tried it using dd, but still got an error, no root device found . Sleeping forever, I have tried it using another USB, (sandisk), but failed, however when I try to boot using a Network, I can do it easily.
Is there anything which I'm missing while creating the live usb using unetbootin.
The file system is set to FAT32 and there is 2GB of free space available.

Do me a favour, blank it, delete all partitions on it, unplug, plug, make sure you're getting the correct device, dd to it and try again.

Follow those examples to the letter, please. Report any and all errors/ outputs. No exceptions.

Use md5/shal to test download if unsure.

Since it did boot before that is a good sign. If you dd'ed it you might have to use gparted to fix partitions. Unetbooten or fedora's live usb creator are fine apps.

Might burn the iso to cd and boot. Actually get the latest version and be sure it matches your system if you only have x86.
I know you can boot it to a live cd and then make a bootable flash as it has creator on it.

I had issues using sandisk USB drives. I got the same errors you're getting. Goggle HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool. Format the disk with that and try again. There's some kind of screwy partition that sandisk puts on the drives that causes the issue. You will lose the space in that small partition when you format, but it should work. I use Verbatim drives and they work every time.

usb boot
 

I have used Kingston pendrives to boot and have been ok. Full version of Knoppix has a facility to make a bootable pendrive making program. Easy as point and click.

Fred.