Find the answer to your Linux question:
Results 1 to 6 of 6
I have tried to install Unbuntu 8.10 on a USB flash drive without success. I used 8.10 to create a USB startup disk but it fails. It will not boot ...
  1. 01-19-2009 #1
    jtheb
    jtheb is offline
    Just Joined!
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    22

    Failure to install Ubuntu 8.10 on flash drive

    I have tried to install Unbuntu 8.10 on a USB flash drive without success. I used 8.10 to create a USB startup disk but it fails. It will not boot and message says the dirve is destroyed or corrupted. I have done this excercise three times and all failed. The flash drive is ok and accepts other files as tested. I also used Pendrive instructions for installing a script to create this project but it also failed. The computer bios is set to boot first the USB.

    Help appreciated
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. 01-19-2009 #2
    D-cat
    D-cat is offline
    Linux Guru
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Dover, NH
    Posts
    1,633
    "Installing" a linux OS on to a USB stick is a little tricky. If you use the CD install program as if it was a hard disk (if it'll let you), it'll get reformatted as ext3 or the like, which linux can read and write fine, but most BIOS will refuse to boot any USB device that's not formatted VFAT (typical Windows format), and vice versa, Linux will not run directly from a vfat partition. The typical solution to building a bootable Linux USB key is something similar to building a bootable Live CD.

    There is a site that deals specifically with installing Linux to USB flash devices I hope this will be helpful to you:
    Ubuntu 8.10 Persistent Flash Drive Install from Live CD | USB Pen Drive Linux
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  3. 01-19-2009 #3
    jtheb
    jtheb is offline
    Just Joined!
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    22

    Still need thoughts on flash drive install

    Thanks for the reply. I had done the Pendrive procedure but maybe there is a sequence to it. I burned the 8.10 to the stick then did the script from Pendrive. Maybe I need to do the script first then burn 8.10??? I'm sure you are right about needing vfat in order to boot. That must be the scripts job??

    Any other thoughts?
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. 01-19-2009 #4
    scutiform
    scutiform is offline
    Linux Newbie scutiform's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Halifax West Yorkshire
    Posts
    132
    If you can get 8.10 to work, it has a built in program for making bootable pen drives. At the moment 8.10 can be a tricky to install on some machines.
    The world is run by educated idiots - you can't argue with idiots, they have had years of practice.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  5. 01-19-2009 #5
    jtheb
    jtheb is offline
    Just Joined!
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    22

    Ubuntu is installed and working

    The program is installed and working but the start up disk installs files but it won't boot
    Pendrive script didn't work either
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  6. 01-20-2009 #6
    D-cat
    D-cat is offline
    Linux Guru
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Dover, NH
    Posts
    1,633
    With Ubuntu CD running and the pen drive plugged in, launch a terminal, and at the $ prompt, type sudo fdisk -l (lower case 'L') and post the output... I have the sneaking suspicion the pen drive has already been reformatted, but I don't want to jump to conclusions yet.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Forum Rules

...