Arch Linux

hyperflexed

Member

Registered: 2010-10-16

Posts: 10

[SOLVED]booting arch64 from usb w/ unetbootin (can't select x86_64)

I used unetbootin to create a live usb with the arch netinstall dual-architecture iso.

When I start it up and I get to the syslinux menu (asking me to select what I'd like to boot), selecting the 64 bit option just makes the screen flash for a second, and then nothing happens. If I try to select the i686 option, the same thing happens. If I select the Default option, arch gets to a point where I can install it, but it's i686.

I did follow the wiki, and I changed the volume name in syslinux.cfg to match the volume name of my USB stick.

I wish I could give more details, but syslinux isn't really telling me anything. Any suggestions?

for reference:
- machine: AMD64 (Athlon 64 x2, or something in that family, fairly old now)

let me know if you need any more info.

Last edited by hyperflexed (2010-10-17 03:01:31)

kfgz

Member

From: Supraśl, Poland

Registered: 2009-03-02

Posts: 114

Re: [SOLVED]booting arch64 from usb w/ unetbootin (can't select x86_64)

You should really try the other method - dd

hyperflexed

Member

Registered: 2010-10-16

Posts: 10

Re: [SOLVED]booting arch64 from usb w/ unetbootin (can't select x86_64)

You should really try the other method - dd

I just tried this method, and while everything copied fine, my machine didn't see the USB stick as bootable media. Any reason why unetbootin works in this case while dd doesn't? Do you need support for some kind of special feature to boot from ISOs dd'd onto a USB stick?

Or is there perhaps a missing detail on the wiki?

Thanks for taking time to help me with this.

hyperflexed

Member

Registered: 2010-10-16

Posts: 10

Re: [SOLVED]booting arch64 from usb w/ unetbootin (can't select x86_64)

I'm going to rescind my previous statement.

It appears that I did not format my drive properly before the DD.

Instead of showing up as removable media, my live-usb showed up as a Hard Drive.

Thanks so much! solved.

mhertz

Member

From: Denmark

Registered: 2010-06-19

Posts: 681

Re: [SOLVED]booting arch64 from usb w/ unetbootin (can't select x86_64)

You shouldn't need to format before dd'ing! If following instructions to the letter, then it should work! Normally the problem is dd'ing to sdx(n) instead of sdx!

Radioactiveman

Member

From: Germany

Registered: 2010-05-13

Posts: 388

Re: [SOLVED]booting arch64 from usb w/ unetbootin (can't select x86_64)

I have a related question:

Is it possible to have two partitions on an USB-drive for that?
One small partition for Arch and the other one for data?
I think no because dd deletes everything (also the partition table) ...

kfgz

Member

From: Supraśl, Poland

Registered: 2009-03-02

Posts: 114

Re: [SOLVED]booting arch64 from usb w/ unetbootin (can't select x86_64)

Is it possible to have two partitions on an USB-drive for that?
One small partition for Arch and the other one for data?
I think no because dd deletes everything (also the partition table) ...

Actually you can do it. After dd

cfdisk /dev/sdX

Create a partition (don't forget to write), reinsert usbstick and format partition

mkfs.vfat /dev/sdXY

I don't know if that partition will be accessible in Windows, Problably not.

Last edited by kfgz (2010-10-18 18:45:38)

Radioactiveman

Member

From: Germany

Registered: 2010-05-13

Posts: 388

Re: [SOLVED]booting arch64 from usb w/ unetbootin (can't select x86_64)

Thanks, works fine. gparted shows no partition but this is no real problem.