|
Installing from a USB Thumb Drive
New User here - thanks for replies. I am an experienced MS user, but have never done anything with Linux.
I have an older Toshiba laptop that I want to use to learn the processes of Linux. Problem is, the disk drive doesn't work. I do have a USB slot and a USB thumb drive I can use. I have downloaded an ISO file and put it on the thumb, but from that point I don't know what to do to start the installation process. Clicking on the file on the thumb brings up the CD recorder program (as if I wanted to burn a new CD). I assume I somehow have to get the computer to recognize the ISO file on the thumb drive when it first boots up. I know in the setup I can arrange the order of what the computer sees first, then second, etc. But, before I did that I wondered if there was an easier way to boot the Linux install process. Again, thanks for your thoughts. |
Welcome to LQ!
First, it has to be an hybrid ISO to be bootable from USB. Second, you do not copy this ISO to USB as a file, you have to write to the raw device. Methinks there used to be applications like rawrite for DOS you could use. |
One suggestion for creating a bootable USB drive using windows.
https://unetbootin.github.io/ rawrite was for creating a floppy disk. |
Sorry, I've been separated from Windows world for long time.
|
Download Rufus, it is the best USB writer for Windows...
|
Quote:
Quote:
But this requires you to have a rw optical drive and a spare CD/DVD. The second option will need 2 USBs (not 1). Like others have mentioned, you can use a multi-boot program downloaded from Windows (e.g. Unetbootin, Yumi etc). This will allow you to boot from USB to a 'live' version of a linux distro. A 'live' version has no persistence and so will not save any files when you re-boot. The 'live' version is offered to familiarise yourself with a linux distro and ensure you can get all your hardware working properly (e.g sound, video). It's also handy for troubleshooting if your installs to a hard-drive don't work. Once you boot into the 'live' linux distro, you can download a 'full' linux .iso file. This can be copied onto your second USB (4GB will be fine) using the 'dd' command. You can then boot from the second USB and an installer will open allowing you to install a 'full' linux distro onto your hard-drive. Do you have 2 USB ports? |
You mean the disc drive doesn't work correct?
In linux there are two common types of iso files. You would be better off picking a distro and using their recommendations for placing it on a usb. Not all iso images will ever easily go to a usb flash drive. First lets start off with the specs on this system. What are they? |
|
pull that old drive out to save power for your USB circuit...
Do you have more than one USB port? Specs would help, a few years old covers USB 3, quite a few years old and we're talking 486 chips... |
Quote:
|
I appreciate all the responses. I will digest all the info given and see what I can do. The laptop is a Toshiba Satellite P35-S611. I bought it in the early 2000's, so, yes. it has some age. It is running XP right now. I have a total of three USB ports on it.
Again, thanks for the suggestions. After the Easter holiday I'll try to get it done!! |
toshiba says you have a cd too it says it is a burner. go get some free software search it, "download cd burning software windows xp" I got plenty of hits using them key words. then burn a copy to a CD that may work too.
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
Does it even spin? Have you tried cleaning off the reader, that little clear pin head looking thing where your cd sits over it? still not working, then time for the BFH! Unplug it then clean it up a little plug it back in? still not working. time for the BFH! |
If everything fails there are USB sticks with Linux available for $$. From osdisc.com, amazon.com, etc.
|
| All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:01 AM. |