Can't get Rufus to work for *UEFI only* on 32bit (I'm probably LOST here)

GentleThotSeaMonkey · 11-05-2017, 01:32 AM

(Note: this isn't a 'dup' of my other tablet install thread)

I'm trying to learn to create=burn bootable USB pendrive=stick.

Rufus was suggested. (I chose p=portable version; probably doesn't matter)

Which Partition scheme and target system type should I choose?
MBR or GPT; BIOS-UEFI or just UEFI?

Rufus seemed to suggest non-BIOS (uefi-CSM?) UEFI (only): see pic.
BUT, then *ALL 32bit* .iso (yes, Mint too) get this Unsupported ISO error:
https://superuser.com/questions/7423...n-gives-errors

So, I moved from 32bit XP netbook to 64bit Win7 laptop (non-UEFI)
and UEFI-only wrote some
but still fails with this: https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/issues/170
So, I can't create=write=burn a 'good' UEFI USB with Rufus.

Also, I was missing GPT (vs MBR) option, when running on 32bit.

I also fell down the rat-hole of choosing dd instead of iso
because it suggested trying DDmode IF (iso mode) doesn't "work", meaning "boot" I think.
Also, choosing dd-mode will force XP to write a 32bit .iso in UEFI-only! Is this 'bad'?
Choosing dd-mode initially, only allowed a .img file (no! .iso)

Sorry I'm sooooo LOST. Patience please

I can test-boot UEFI-only USB in VBox, IF I could ever get Rufus to work.

ondoho · 11-05-2017, 02:22 AM

there was NO need to start a new thread for this.

original thread:
https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...et-4175616974/

GentleThotSeaMonkey · 11-05-2017, 02:38 AM

Sorry, I disagree. Other thread is about tablet boot; this is about Rufus writing.
Understanding the options Rufus gives, esp. running Rufus on an old XP 32bit netbook (and Rufus's MBR vs GPT options, on a non-UEFI Win7 laptop), has nothing to do with: getting a Win10 tablet's UEFI?BIOS to see and boot from a USB device (when ?tablet? may need ?signed? UEFI-only). The XP 32bit netbook has 3 usb ports, kbd, touchpad, &power-connector; the Win10tablet has one microUSB port, for only 1 of: power, USBstick, kbd, mouse. I'll probably end up returning the tablet; if I do, does that mean I can't use Rufus any more? No. Is EFIshellPrompt == Rufus? No.

Probably Rufus won't work for what I want. (And it doesn't run on Linux nor do multiboot)
Still, I'd like to learn/understand how to use Rufus, for any&ALL situations, UNrelated to any 1 tablet. And, the other thread is messy enuf already, without a Rufus-issues tangent.

My Conclusion: no one knows how to create the 'right magic' UEFI usb.

jefro · 11-06-2017, 03:32 PM

Some of these windows 10 tablets have an odd deal about the loaders. Did you check on this issue? Some need a (I forget) 64 bit loader to run a 32 bit os or the other way?

Can't say that I fully understand what you are asking or doing.

If one took an iso file of ubuntu and used a working dd command to a usb drive it should result in a bootable (on some systems at least) usb drive. I've not tested dd4windows on any modern linux. Last time I used it was on a floppy.

colorpurple21859 · 11-06-2017, 07:37 PM

I have always selected "MBR partition scheme for BIOS or UEFI" and iso mode. This usually works on both efi and non-efi system. Basically what it does is formats the usb as fat32, installs syslinux for booting non-efi systems, and extracts contents of iso to the usb.

aragorn2101 · 11-07-2017, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentleThotSeaMonkey

Probably Rufus won't work for what I want. (And it doesn't run on Linux nor do multiboot)
Still, I'd like to learn/understand how to use Rufus, for any&ALL situations, UNrelated to any 1 tablet. And, the other thread is messy enuf already, without a
...
My Conclusion: no one knows how to create the 'right magic' UEFI usb.

First, I would like to say that, from experience, UEFI does not work in 32-bit. I'm not Rufus expert, but whatever software you use, you cannot make a bootable USB for a 32-bit OS with UEFI compatibility. From explanation on Rufus website, the Windows on which Rufus is running can be 32-bit, but the iso you are burning must be 64-bit UEFI compatible, obviously.

Now, for that "right magic" part. Since you mentioned "doesn't run on Linux", actually, if you are using Linux, you can make a bootable UEFI USB quite easily. There are several ways, but probably the easiest way is to use the dd command:

Code:

dd if=PATH_TO_ISO of=/dev/sdX

sdX is replaced with the appropriate device (e.g. sdb, sdc ...)
IMPORTANT: the iso must be a UEFI compatible OS.

If you only have Windows and Rufus, just ensure you have an iso for an OS which is 64-bit and UEFI compatible and that you choose GPT.

GentleThotSeaMonkey · 11-07-2017, 01:07 PM

Thanks #5&6. Tried UDF. Tablet wouldn't even see the 'MXT' (usb pendrive)
('Win7' non-uefi laptop won't boot GPT=UEFI UDF, of course, since non-efi bios

Tried MBR BIOSorUEFI UDF combo

Worse: laptop booted internal hdd Win7 when I chose the MXT, and Win7 is going to spend the rest of the day M$updating itself

)

So many combinations (of choices in Rufus) to try

And, I'm betting, NONE are what the evil Tablet wants

Completely OT st00pid?: linuxmint18.2xcfe64bit.iso on the Win7 laptop (NOT the evil tablet!)
it (live, again on laptop, NOT tablet) asks for F1 to login; username mint, <enter> for no pwd
isn't valid. So, how do I login?