Arch Linux

AP81

Member

Registered: 2006-10-01

Posts: 36

Boot from USB

Hi,

I am trying to get booting from USB working and have followed these steps exactly in the Wiki: http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Usb … ch_Install

I still can't boot from USB, so what have I done wrong?  I am using the latest iso (Archlinux-i686-2007.08-2.core.iso).

mucknert

Member

From: Berlin // Germany

Registered: 2006-06-27

Posts: 510

Re: Boot from USB

Perhaps your computer just does not support it?

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Todays mistakes are tomorrows catastrophes.

AP81

Member

Registered: 2006-10-01

Posts: 36

Re: Boot from USB

Perhaps your computer just does not support it?

I have a Win98SE boot disk booting from USB just fine.

lilsirecho

Veteran

Registered: 2003-10-24

Posts: 5,000

Re: Boot from USB

Examine the USB assignments for your system with usbview and lsusb.

In arch, open the flash drive to examine its contents and verify the partitions...use gparted or kde if you use kde.

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Prediction...This year will be a very odd year!
Hard work does not kill people but why risk it: Charlie Mccarthy
A man is not complete until he is married..then..he is finished.
When ALL is lost, what can be found? Even bytes get lonely for a little bit!     X-ray confirms Iam spineless!

lilsirecho

Veteran

Registered: 2003-10-24

Posts: 5,000

Re: Boot from USB

Post info on what happens when you try to boot........error messages?

---

Prediction...This year will be a very odd year!
Hard work does not kill people but why risk it: Charlie Mccarthy
A man is not complete until he is married..then..he is finished.
When ALL is lost, what can be found? Even bytes get lonely for a little bit!     X-ray confirms Iam spineless!

AP81

Member

Registered: 2006-10-01

Posts: 36

Re: Boot from USB

The message I get is:

This is not a bootable disk, please insert a bootable floppy and try again.

I take is that the wiki is missing a step to install a boot sector onto the floppy.

Adam

lilsirecho

Veteran

Registered: 2003-10-24

Posts: 5,000

Re: Boot from USB

AP81;

The wiki you referenced is a wiki describing how to make a USB flash device for booting archlinux.

Is there some error in that post?

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Prediction...This year will be a very odd year!
Hard work does not kill people but why risk it: Charlie Mccarthy
A man is not complete until he is married..then..he is finished.
When ALL is lost, what can be found? Even bytes get lonely for a little bit!     X-ray confirms Iam spineless!

lilsirecho

Veteran

Registered: 2003-10-24

Posts: 5,000

Re: Boot from USB

AP81;

It seems that your bios is set to boot from floppy disk.

Please check your bios to boot first device USBHDD .

There may be other designators for USB boot, mine is USBHDD.

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Prediction...This year will be a very odd year!
Hard work does not kill people but why risk it: Charlie Mccarthy
A man is not complete until he is married..then..he is finished.
When ALL is lost, what can be found? Even bytes get lonely for a little bit!     X-ray confirms Iam spineless!

AP81

Member

Registered: 2006-10-01

Posts: 36

Re: Boot from USB

Guys, I am not that stupid... I have worked with PC's for over 10 years, built some 200+, and been employed as a software developer for 5 years...So I appreciate the help, but I am really not that stupid.

I have my BIOS set to boot usb-hdd, usb-zip, usb-cdrom, boot other devices=enabled.  I can boot from a USB key with Damn Small Linux installed and I can boot from a custom DOS boot disk on a different USB key.

All I am trying to do is boot Arch from a USB pen.  Like I said before, it seems that although the drive is bootable, there is no step for creating a boot sector on the USB device in the wiki.

Thanks.

AP81

Member

Registered: 2006-10-01

Posts: 36

Re: Boot from USB

Tried it on another PC and get a Grub error 15, so my guess is that Grub can't find the kernel.

metalfan

Member

Registered: 2007-11-22

Posts: 99

Re: Boot from USB

Looks like the step is indeed missing.
You can install grub to the device with:

grub-install --recheck --root-directory=/mnt/usbkey /dev/[device root]

/mnt/usbkey        -     mountpoint for your sticks partition (sda1)
device root          -     sticks partition again

this is from the "flash linux" install guide, worked for me to get grub on the stick and boot the kernel.

Theres also another guide, as much confusing as the one you found in my opinion, but maybe worth a look.
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ins … _a_USB_key

Grub error collection:

http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/grub-error-guide.xml

greets
metalfan

Last edited by metalfan (2008-03-25 15:22:44)