Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

t4n017 · 2012-11-03 15:16:10

Hi,
I'm trying to install Arch in a NETbook but I can't boot from the usb. I tried all the methods. When it boot I only see a black screen with a blinking cursor and I can only shutdown pressing the button. I tried with the same usb in my NOTEbook and it works.
Sorry for my bad english.

Last edited by t4n017 (2012-11-03 15:33:00)

Trilby · 2012-11-03 15:38:51

We'd need a lot more information to be able to help. What model of netbook? What do you think "all" the methods are - what have you actually done?

How did you make the usb drive: `dd` of an iso, unetbootin or another similar tool, or did you partition and install an OS and boot loader on the USB?

Is the black screen the only thing that shows up after power on? Certainly you see the BIOS POST, right? Does any bootloader menu show, even momentarily before the black screen?

t4n017 · 2012-11-03 16:12:33

It's an EXOMATE X355. I tried with `dd` and with unetbootin. I tried partition the usb (sdb1) and also without partition it (sdb).

I only see the BIOS POST and then a black screen (there isn't a bootloader menu). At this moment the only thing I can do is shutdown the netbook.

Last edited by t4n017 (2012-11-03 16:14:09)

DSpider · 2012-11-03 16:18:45

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/US … tion_Media

Unetbootin sucks. Use something else.

Edit: And download the ISO from the Download page using a BitTorrent client, not by using a direct link (which are prone to CRC errors). Else you will have to check the MD5/SHA1 checksum (BitTorrent clients check this while downloading).

Last edited by DSpider (2012-11-03 16:20:33)

t4n017 · 2012-11-03 16:22:41

DSpider wrote:

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/US … tion_Media
Unetbootin sucks. Use something else.

Edit: And download the ISO from the Download page using a BitTorrent client, not by using a direct link (which are prone to CRC errors). Else you will have to check the MD5/SHA1 checksum (BitTorrent clients check this while downloading).

I tried also with `dd`. But, I think, that's not the problem, because when I use the same USB in another computer it works fine.
Anyway, I'll try " Without overwriting the USB drive ".
The MD5sum match well.

Last edited by t4n017 (2012-11-03 16:30:09)

Trilby · 2012-11-03 16:32:56

If the USB works on another computer, then it works. Don't mess with that.

Is the BIOS set to boot from USB? If the USB is not plugged in, does the netbook boot to the OS on the harddrive?

djgera · 2012-11-03 16:37:24

Hola

Just for information: such netbook works, I have the same machine

PS: The only way to boot from USB is touching F11-key at POST, because BIOS is locked.

Last edited by djgera (2012-11-03 16:39:49)

t4n017 · 2012-11-03 16:42:26

Yes, the BIOS is set. Without an USB the GRUB appear.

t4n017 · 2012-11-03 16:45:10

djgera wrote:

Hola
Just for information: such netbook works, I have the same machine
PS: The only way to boot from USB is touching F11-key at POST, because BIOS is locked.

Hola, yo también soy de Argentina.

I'm only having problem with Arch. I don't need to press F11 with other distros (Ubuntu, Mint, Debian, etc).

EDIT: My BIOS isn't locked. Anyway, I tried using the F11-key and I'm having the same problem.

Last edited by t4n017 (2012-11-03 17:07:39)

t4n017 · 2012-12-13 19:11:00

I recently tried with "Image Writer" and "Flashnul", but none of them has worked in the Exomate X355 (I tried with two of them). And the LiveUSB is working in my Sony Vaio. I really don't understand what's happening. Sorry for revive the post, but I really want Arch in my netbook, it's a great distro. Hopefully someone have the solution.

Last edited by t4n017 (2012-12-13 19:12:20)

DSpider · 2012-12-13 20:28:53

Set the BIOS boot order to your equivalent of "Removable Dev." first, then "Hard Drive" second, then "CD-ROM" third (even if it doesn't have an optical drive).

Then change the hard disk boot priority to reflect the USB stick's name/brand. Don't forget to exit with saving the settings - F10, if I remember correctly, and don't forget to mark the topic as solved (by editing the first post) so that other people (including yourself sometimes) may find useful.

Last edited by DSpider (2012-12-13 20:31:27)

t4n017 · 2012-12-14 00:16:11

DSpider wrote:

Set the BIOS boot order to your equivalent of "Removable Dev." first, then "Hard Drive" second, then "CD-ROM" third (even if it doesn't have an optical drive).
Then change the hard disk boot priority to reflect the USB stick's name/brand. Don't forget to exit with saving the settings - F10, if I remember correctly, and don't forget to mark the topic as solved (by editing the first post) so that other people (including yourself sometimes) may find useful.

The boot order was ok, and it was working fine with other distros. I also changed the hard disk priority. Unfortunately the problem isn't solved yet.

I can also select with which device I want to boot (with the F11 key at startup), it's an option named "start menu". So I'm sure it's booting from the USB, but it doesn't load anything. Even the USB has a led that blinks when it's working (reading/writing), but it don't blink when the problem occur.

Last edited by t4n017 (2012-12-14 13:44:00)

drobole · 2012-12-14 12:02:40

Is secure boot enabled in BIOS?

t4n017 · 2012-12-14 13:36:09

drobole wrote:

Is secure boot enabled in BIOS?

I don't have these option. I only have "quick boot" and "quiet boot", both enabled. Anyway, I tried disabling both and I'm still having the problem.

I also tried to change the value of the other three options I have ("SATA Controller Mode Option", "SATA AHCI Enable", "DVMT 4.0 Mode") but nothing works. So, I think there is no way to fix it with the BIOS.

Last edited by t4n017 (2012-12-14 13:36:30)

drobole · 2012-12-14 20:22:34

Can you disable UEFI, or choose something else at all?

t4n017 · 2012-12-19 04:45:25

drobole wrote:

Can you disable UEFI, or choose something else at all?

No, I can't do anything more in the BIOS.

I have a friend with the same netbook, and he installed Arch some months ago. Maybe the new ISO is different, the dual architecture, or something.

I'll try with the Netboot install.

DSpider · 2012-12-19 11:34:27

Use a different method then.

Here, try this one: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/US … O_from_RAM

Arch Linux

#1 2012-11-03 15:16:10

Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#2 2012-11-03 15:38:51

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#3 2012-11-03 16:12:33

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#4 2012-11-03 16:18:45

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#5 2012-11-03 16:22:41

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#6 2012-11-03 16:32:56

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#7 2012-11-03 16:37:24

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#8 2012-11-03 16:42:26

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#9 2012-11-03 16:45:10

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#10 2012-12-13 19:11:00

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#11 2012-12-13 20:28:53

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#12 2012-12-14 00:16:11

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#13 2012-12-14 12:02:40

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#14 2012-12-14 13:36:09

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#15 2012-12-14 20:22:34

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#16 2012-12-19 04:45:25

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

#17 2012-12-19 11:34:27

Re: Can't boot from usb in a NETbook

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