OS missing?!
 

Hello,

I'm new to the Linux world so be nice!

Followed this how to http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2007/01...-x-ubuntu-610/ and used kubuntu-8.04.1-desktop-i386.iso

All was good until booting from USB.The stick is being read however the Machine is saying "OS missing?" I've rebooted in to windows to check for OS and it is on the stick.Any ideas or is it because I'm using Kubunte and not Ubuntu?

Sorry if I sound stuiped!

AceCrosley.

Either your system does not support usb booting or you have not correctly configured the os on the stick. Why not just use the Kubuntu guide?

I think I've run into this before, using the same sort of process on xubuntu and regular ubuntu. I'm not sure what the problem was, but re-doing it fixed it for me. I'd just wipe the flash drive, make the relevant partitions, make sure the main partition has a boot flag set, and then go through the process again. To do this, I'd recommend using GParted, then following the tutorial. Do you need more information?

Thanks for the Kubuntu link.. All but "wget pendrivelinux.com/downloads/ku8/initrd.gz" worked however i guess it wanted the file download and put into casper directory however on reboot again same issue.

I'm going to try to a build a DOS boot USB stick to test the USB boot option on my laptop then get back to you all.

I didn't try GParted however I may do if all esle finals.

Ace Crosley.

OK. Same issue with kubuntu link so now will try Gparted path.. Almost sure that the laptop I'm using can be boot from usb and the USB stick is ok.

also the Kubuntu guild link "wget pendrivelinux.com/downloads/ku8/initrd.gz" is 404 error so tried to copy using PC and move file however i don't know if this is a major part and is the problem or something else. Anyway the file it wanted is in the right place.. I think

anarchic_birdsong any more info would be great!

Has anyone tried using the Kubuntu link and can download initrd.gz in Konsole?

Before I say anything else, I would like to say, please please please please be very careful when using gparted: that is, make sure you know which drive you are messing with before you carry out any procedures. It's very easy to nuke your computer's file system by choosing the wrong one. There is a reason it warns of being a weapon of mass destruction on terminal programs (probably including Konsole). If you have any doubts about which one is your regular drive and which is the flash drive, please ask in advance. It's easy to forget to check, but just make sure before you go through with anything. You don't have to be afraid or anything, just make sure you know which drive you're formatting. :) Linux isn't a scary thing to use.

Okay, now about procedure: first of all, I'd try opening gparted and destroying all partitions on the usb, then make one small partition (any format, say, fat32). Then go with the same instructions you followed before using fdisk, making sure to delete that partition you just made (it's the first thing on the instructions on flashdrivelinux). Then, do everything up to the point where it talks about wget.

Next I would try downloading initrd in your standard web browser to, say, your Desktop (just open pendrivelinux.com/downloads/ku8/initrd.gz and it should offer to download it). I just tried downloading it through Firefox and it went through okay, so the server doesn't seem to be having issues at the moment. I believe you can just put initrd and syslinux.cfg in the root folder of your usb drive by hand, probably something like /media/kubuntu8/ when you're done with the partitioning process. That is, you can drag/drop it *or* put a copy there with
cp /home/you/Desktop/initrd.gz /media/kubuntu8
cp /home/you/Desktop/syslinux.cfg /media/kubuntu8
If it asks about overwriting, it's a good thing, since you're meant to overwrite what was already there.

At that point it would hopefully have worked, but open gparted again and make sure that the big partition has a boot flag by right-clicking on it and hitting "manage flags". It should have "boot" checked.

I don't know why sometimes it does the whole "cannot find OS" thing, but I've found that trying the process again tends to fix it.

If you encounter difficulties or have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. We're really here to help. Also, if it works, please let us know here on the thread.

> If this doesn't work, we can try making the partitions entirely with gparted.