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mchenier 06-19-2016 08:14 PM

Trouble starting from full install on usb
 
Hello there,

I want to expose my little problem and see if anyone have a solution.

I just did a full install of Ubuntu Mate 16.04 on a 64G USB key. I don't understand why I can start a Windows computer but not my computers (Linux system) when booting from my USB key.

When I did the USB install, I tried two ways: with the computer hard disk connect and with computer hard disk disconnect. But the result is the same. The booting process just stop on a black screen with a white cursor blanking. But strangely, no problem to start on a Windows computer.

I tried to disable the hard disk in the bios, but it didn't work either. Any clues?

Thanks,

Martin

Shadow_7 06-19-2016 09:09 PM

Various possibilities. You don't have a bootloader on the usb. The bios/uefi doesn't support booting GPT partitions. The bootloader points at /dev/ names that don't match when you reboot or use the key on a different computer. Or the kernel / initrd image does't have hardware support built in for the storage device and cannot read the usb storage device to boot from it. And probably some other quirks.

I had to slap a wheezy kernel on a jessie install for my older machine with a parallel port. I have to MBR partition for this gateway desktop. My hp stream 11 seems happy with anything you throw at it, but is quirky on kernel version for the touchpad and wifi. Various ways to work around these quirks. Or try another distro which might not have the same issues or any issues.

colorpurple21859 06-19-2016 09:26 PM

Quote:

The booting process just stop on a black screen with a white cursor blanking.
could be a video problem. What video card is in the computer that your having trouble with? add nomodeset to the linux line of grub entry your trying to boot may help.

yancek 06-20-2016 07:38 AM

The most likely scenario is failure to properly install the bootloader. Windows by default will not be able to boot Linux although if you go through the proper process, you can chainload a Linux from bcdedit. You neglected to mention which windows version you are using and whether it is an EFI install and in that case, was Ubuntu also EFI?

mchenier 06-20-2016 10:12 AM

Thanks for all the answers. I will have to do some research to analyze and understand your answers.

GPT partition?

The bootloader points at /dev/ names that don't match when you reboot or use the key on a different computer?

Or the kernel / initrd image does't have hardware support built in for the storage device?


Bootloader: if I don't have a bootloader, how come it boots on Windows computers and not on Linux one?

You can chainload a Linux from bcdedit?

EFI install?

Some precision: I install the full version of Ubuntu Mate on a USB key with a live version on Ubuntu Mate boot on a Linux computer. I don't have any trouble to boot with the live usb key. Also, I can start computers with Windows XP or 7 on them but not my System76 laptop and Asus Desktop with Ubuntu 16.04 on them.

Come back soon, Thanks

Martin.

yancek 06-20-2016 11:10 AM

Quote:

I can start computers with Windows XP or 7 on them but not my System76 laptop and Asus Desktop with Ubuntu 16.04 on them.
Is this an Ubuntu installed on a hard drive or on the flash drive you refer to? If it is the flash drive, you need to set it to first boot priority in the BIOS.

Quote:

Bootloader: if I don't have a bootloader, how come it boots on Windows computers and not on Linux one?
What is the "it" you are referring to booting on a windows computer and not a Linux one?

Quote:

You can chainload a Linux from bcdedit?
Yes, although it is not a simple process.

mchenier 06-20-2016 11:59 AM

Is this an Ubuntu installed on a hard drive or on the flash drive you refer to? If it is the flash drive, you need to set it to first boot priority in the BIOS.

I can start (a Windows computer) and load Ubuntu Mate with the USB key (Ubuntu Mate fully installed on the USB key). But can't do the same on my Linux computer. And yes the first boot priority was the USB key.


What is the "it" you are referring to booting on a windows computer and not a Linux one?


''It'' referring to the USB key where Ubuntu Mate is fully installed.


Thanks,

Martin

colorpurple21859 06-20-2016 01:46 PM

If the computers that the key won't boot on are in efi mode, then maybe setting bios to boot in legacy mode will work. If it is a booting problem and not a video hardware problem

mchenier 06-20-2016 03:14 PM

Thanks.

I am trying something because I think I made a mistake when I decided where to put the bootloader.

My USB key (sdd) is divided in 3 partition made with Gparted:

First one with a boot flag in ext4 = sdd1 = 50G (Ubuntu Mate install)
Swap for the second one with (2G)
Third one in FAT32 = sdd5 = 10G for copying files if I need it.

I put the bootloader on sdd1 instead of sdd. I'm reinstalling to see if it will correct the problem.

mchenier 06-21-2016 08:05 PM

Well, my last move was the good one. Putting the bootloader on ssd, made it work.

So now, I can bring ''my computer'' in my pocket...But surprisingly it's very slow, much much slower than a live distro. I don't know if it's possible to make it work faster, but this is another question...I might go back with a live distro on my USB key. Will see...,

Thanks for all your help.


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