Install 11.1 from usb - Boot error

[ferpadro]

Hi guys, first time poster here

I downloaded the gnome-cd version of opensuse yesterday and i was planning to "burn" it (if that's the apropiate expression) to my usb drive because i don't have a CD/DVD burner. I searched for guides with google and also used the search function of this forum and came to the solution of unetbootin.
The thing is, i let unetbootin copy my .iso image to the usb drive but when i rebooted the computer it showed the "boot error" message. The computer is an old one (2003, ASUS P4SPMX-SE). I even tried running syslinux but nothing happened. If someone could enlightment me here it'd be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[caf4926]

Have look here: HOWTOs - openSUSE

You are sure you computer supports usb booting??

[ferpadro]

When I enter the BIOS the option of "USB zip/flash" is available, i guess that means my computer supports booting from USB drive, or am i wrong?

[caf4926]

If you make up a pen drive with Unetbootin and use one of of the default downloads from the unetbootin list (eg; knoppix)

It should boot from that. (if you have usb booting)

[ferpadro]

I torrented the gnome version of opensuse 11.1(CD version, couldn't download dvd version because my usb stick has less than 4 GB), formatted the stick like FAT and used unetbootin to copy the image. I did all this but still the "boot error" message appears. Maybe i need to format the stick with a different file system than FAT?

Thanks

[caf4926]

I suggest a different distro like knoppix, folks have been having issues with openSUSE

[ignz]

ferpadro,

fwiw I've not been able to get unetbootin to create a bootable USB from the 11.2 RC1 or RC2 iso's (that's not to say it's not do-able), however it will happily work with (at least some) other (non-Suse) iso's

Using the dd command from a working Linux gets a bootable Suse USB, but the catch22 is that you need the working Linux first. That can be achieved from another Live Linux which I guess is what caf was suggesting, rather than propose you just use Knoppix !

IG

[ferpadro]

Thanks for the replies caf4926 and ignz

Right now i'm downloading Ubuntu 9.04 iso and when finished will copy it to the usb with unetbootin, to see if it is really a problem of the opensuse distro specifically or if it's just my bios who doesn't support usb booting.

What is this dd command you talk about? I have a Hardy Heron CD which i could use to use this command. Care to explain me how it works?

[ignz]

nice explanation of using dd here

take note of the cautions re. target definition; it's a "no questions asked" bitstream copy function

there seem to be a few different suggested processes to get a bootable Suse USB; I'm only proposing what worked for me

IG

[ferpadro]

A little update:

I gave up to boot anything from my usb. Apparently booting from usb drive is not supported by my bios (even though the option appears on the bios, i'm not quite sure about this)
Yesterday i tried to use unetbootin in my hard drive. This is, instead of choosing my USB drive i chose the root (/) partition. Rebooted and the option of "Opensuse Live CD" appeared in GRUB. I selected that option, and the installation started. But at some point the error "Couldn't find live image configuration file" popped up. Any suggestions?