Arch Linux newbie - Create a startup disk for Arch Linux from Ubuntu

alex3234134123412&" · 2024-06-13 18:15:11

Hi,

I've been using Ubuntu for years, and now I'd like to move to Arch Linux.
I log in Ubuntu, dl the archlinux-2024.06.01-x86_64.iso file, and launch Startup Disk Creator.
But it doesn't recognize the iso file. I can select it but it does not appear in the source disk image! Is there a reason?

- So I try to create a USB startup manually, following https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/USB_fl … ion_medium :

$> sudo dd bs=4M if=/home/alex/Downloads/archlinux-2024.06.01-x86_64.iso of=/dev/sda1 conv=fsync oflag=direct status=progress

It writes well but it doesn't boot when I reboot my laptop.

- I also tried copying all the files from the .iso to a newly FAT formatted USB device.

What did I miss? How would I make my USB stick bootable?

Thanks

feinedsquirrel · 2024-06-13 18:27:59

It could be that you need to pass the whole disk to dd instead of the first partition.
Note, there is not a "1" after sda:

$ dd ... of=/dev/sda conv=....

Though I don't think it should matter, it might also help to know if you're booting to BIOS or UEFI.
Additionally, try to use your BIOS/firmware selector for boot drive, selecting the usb drive.

alex3234134123412&" · 2024-06-13 20:45:04

1- Changing /dev/sda1 to /dev/sda does not change anything.
There is a partition with all the files like if I had copied all of them to this partition.
What's missing in the manual installation process?

2- What I don't understand is why I can't select Arch Linux .iso file in Startup Disk Creator? What is the difference between a .iso file from Arch Linux and one from Ubuntu?

3- I just tried again (to check) with the Ubuntu .iso file downloaded from Ubuntu. Startup Disk Creator accepts the .iso file. And it boots and I can try or install Ubuntu from the USB stick.

4- About BIOS/UEFI my laptop use UEFI. When I boot Ubuntu from the USB it recognize that it had to boot on this disk.
And the 2 USB sticks I used (Ubuntu and Arch Linux) are the same brand/model.

MrTheFourth · 2024-06-13 21:00:02

I, too, am experiencing this same issue of Ubuntu 22 Startup Disk Creator not accepting the archlinux .iso. I went ahead and used

sudo dd if=/path/to/distro.iso of=/dev/<device_name> bs=1M

Last edited by MrTheFourth (2024-06-13 21:05:09)

alex3234134123412&" · 2024-06-13 21:30:13

sudo dd if=/path/to/distro.iso of=/dev/<device_name> bs=1M

Doesn't change anything.

feinedsquirrel · 2024-06-13 21:51:51

Did you verify the checksum of your downloaded iso file?

(I've never used Startup Disk Creator, so cannot help you there.)

Last edited by feinedsquirrel (2024-06-13 21:52:17)

alex3234134123412&" · 2024-06-14 02:53:10

Yes signature is good

Any other idea?

MAYBL8 · 2024-06-14 03:21:37

It appears you might have to click "other" to see the Arch iso.

Select USB and ISO image
Although the Startup Disk creator will automatically show all the connected USB drives and even available ISO images on the system. However, in case it not then to select the ISO file click on the “Other” button and select the bootable ISO file of the OS that you want to write on your flash drive.

kermit63 · 2024-06-14 03:26:43

Some ideas:

1. If you have access to other computers, check if the USB boot on these other computers.
2. dd always worked for me, but I've also used Ventoy successfuly in the past.
3. If your plan is to dual-boot ubuntu with arch, you can just Install arch from existing Linux.
4. If you have GRUB in ubuntu, you can also try using GRUB's iso-booting capability to boot directly from the downloaded ISO file.

Lone_Wolf · 2024-06-14 09:11:24

The archlinux install iso is configured as a hybrid iso to be bootable from optical (dvd) and usb flash media without needing changes .

Just writing it using the correct command from https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/USB_fl … ion_medium is enough.

Please stop trying to use a program (startup disk creator) that is not listed on that wiki page.

alex3234134123412&" · 2024-06-14 23:04:08

My USB stick is working perfectly because I can set up a bootable ubuntu and run it.
The Startup Disk Creator accept .iso from Ubuntu and Debian but not Arch Linux.

The Arch Linux installation process doesn't work properly.

So I go for Debian

Bye Archy!

Lone_Wolf · 2024-06-15 11:07:05

The Arch Linux installation process doesn't work properly.

You didn't manage to perform the first step of it.
Although you used the correct comand to write the iso one time you only stated doesn't work .
No error messages or descriptions of your HW that might have allowed troubleshooting were posted.

Insisting to use an ubuntu specific program that has to the best of my knowledge never been used to write archlinux isos successfully also didn't allow us to help you.

Archlinux is not a good fit for everyone and you are clearly not a good fit for archlinux .

Good luck with debian.

Arch Linux

#1 2024-06-13 18:15:11

Arch Linux newbie - Create a startup disk for Arch Linux from Ubuntu

#2 2024-06-13 18:27:59

Re: Arch Linux newbie - Create a startup disk for Arch Linux from Ubuntu

#3 2024-06-13 20:45:04

Re: Arch Linux newbie - Create a startup disk for Arch Linux from Ubuntu

#4 2024-06-13 21:00:02

Re: Arch Linux newbie - Create a startup disk for Arch Linux from Ubuntu

#5 2024-06-13 21:30:13

Re: Arch Linux newbie - Create a startup disk for Arch Linux from Ubuntu

#6 2024-06-13 21:51:51

Re: Arch Linux newbie - Create a startup disk for Arch Linux from Ubuntu

#7 2024-06-14 02:53:10

Re: Arch Linux newbie - Create a startup disk for Arch Linux from Ubuntu

#8 2024-06-14 03:21:37

Re: Arch Linux newbie - Create a startup disk for Arch Linux from Ubuntu

#9 2024-06-14 03:26:43

Re: Arch Linux newbie - Create a startup disk for Arch Linux from Ubuntu

#10 2024-06-14 09:11:24

Re: Arch Linux newbie - Create a startup disk for Arch Linux from Ubuntu

#11 2024-06-14 23:04:08

Re: Arch Linux newbie - Create a startup disk for Arch Linux from Ubuntu

#12 2024-06-15 11:07:05

Re: Arch Linux newbie - Create a startup disk for Arch Linux from Ubuntu

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