OS 13.1 - Unable to make a bootable usb stick

English Install/Boot/Login
1

Hello.
I have a runnable bootable cd tools.
As I have loose somme src source file, i can’t make any more the ISO file.
I want to make a bootable usb stick from this running cd.
Following this thread : http://forums.opensuse.org/showthread.php/460308-Making-a-bootable-ISO-from-DVD-for-VirtualBox
I made an iso file using my script.

umount /drv/sr0
mkdir -p /tmp/000_tmp_make_new_iso
cd /tmp/000_tmp_make_new_iso

rm -v -r ./keep_eltorito
mkdir -v ./keep_eltorito
rm -v ./my-tools_basic.img
rm -v ./my-tools_basic.iso

echo "doing dd copy ........"
dd if=/dev/sr0 of=./my-tools_basic.img
echo "dd copy is done."

geteltorito ./my-tools_basic.img > ./keep_eltorito/boot.bin

umount -v ./iso_temp
rm  -r ./iso_temp
mkdir -v ./iso_temp
mount -v ./my-tools_basic.img ./iso_temp -o loop

rm  -r ./iso_new
mkdir -v ./iso_new
cp  -r ./iso_temp/* ./iso_new
chmod  -R 754 ./iso_new
ls -C ./iso_new

cp -v ./keep_eltorito/boot.bin ./iso_new

# -iso-level 4 --> because of very long file names
#=================================================

#mkisofs -b boot.bin -no-emul-boot -hide boot.bin -r -relaxed-filenames -joliet-long -D -iso-level 4 -o my-tools_basic.iso ./iso_new
#mkisofs -b boot.bin -no-emul-boot -hide boot.bin -r -relaxed-filenames -joliet-long -iso-level 4 -o my-tools_basic.iso ./iso_new


mkisofs -b boot.bin -no-emul-boot -hide boot.bin -r -relaxed-filenames -iso-level 4 -o my-tools_basic.iso ./iso_new

umount -v /var/run/media/root/load_iso_new
mkdir -v -p /var/run/media/root/load_iso_new
mount -v ./my-tools_basic.iso /var/run/media/root/load_iso_new -o loop
ls -C ./my-tools_basic.iso

# ---------------------------------------------------

using virtualbox as a test, the new iso file “my-tools_basic.iso” is bootable .

If I try to use opensuse imagewriter, it refuse to use my iso and I get a warning

Sorry. I can’t write this iso. You need to use another program to write it it to a DVD

If I use “unetbootin” to write to the usb stick, it seems OK, but I could not boot with the usb stick.

The usb stick is formated fat32 (fdisk type c)
The usb is an EMTEC 8Gb

Any help is welcome

2

Why don’t you just dd the .iso to the USB stick itself?

(or use dd_rescue because it’s even better)

3

Have try your suggestion but does not help.

4

any help is welcome.

5

any help is welcome

6

On 2014-03-13 11:06, jcdole wrote:

> using virtualbox as a test, the new iso file “my-tools_basic.iso” is
> bootable .
>
> If I try to use opensuse imagewriter, it refuse to use my iso and I get
> a warning
>> Sorry. I can’t write this iso. You need to use another program to write
>> it it to a DVD

That does not make sense.

> If I use “unetbootin” to write to the usb stick, it seems OK, but I
> could not boot with the usb stick.

I don’t know exactly what the tool does…

> The usb stick is formated fat32 (fdisk type c)
> The usb is an EMTEC 8Gb

Wait. The procedure should destroy the usb FAT format. It should appear
as an ISO something DVD instead.

What device target are you using for the dd command?

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 13.1 x86_64 “Bottle” at Telcontar)

7

> If I try to use opensuse imagewriter, it refuse to use my iso and I get
> a warning
>> Sorry. I can’t write this iso. You need to use another program to write
>> it it to a DVD
>>>That does not make sense.
It is a popup error message from imagewriter.

>I don’t know exactly what the tool does…
Unetbootin : UNetbootin allows you to create bootable Live USB drives for Ubuntu, Fedora, and other Linux distributions without burning a CD. It runs on Windows, Linux, …

>What device target are you using for the dd command?
dd if=my.iso of=/dev/sdc

I do not understand why an iso bootable file, boots on a virtual machine in virtualbox, but that it is not possible to make a USB stick bootable from the same ISO file.
I have achieved my goal using windows tools within windows XP in virtualbox.

I reached my goal while the thread is not resolved.

I am ready to respond to requests for clarification, or to make other attempts.

For your information, the iso file is a file multiboot application containing various utilities. It uses an ISOLINUX kernel that loads different images according to the need.

Thank you for taking time for helping.

8

UNetbootindose not work with any of the openSUSE images.

dd should work as well as imagewriter.

Are you absolutely sure you are writing to the correct device. let us see fdisk - l with the USB plugged in

If the USB is still formatted FAT after dd-ing you are doing something wrong.

9

On 2014-04-16 16:06, jcdole wrote:

> Unetbootin : -UNetbootin- allows you to create bootable Live USB drives
> for Ubuntu, Fedora, and other Linux distributions without burning a CD.
> It runs on Windows, Linux, …

Unetbootin destroys the openSUSE iso image, and this is documented. Do
not use it to create an openSUSE boot image.

> For your information, the iso file is a file multiboot application
> containing various utilities. It uses an ISOLINUX kernel that loads
> different images according to the need.

So, you are not using the openSUSE ISO image directly and alone. Sorry,
I have no idea if you can make that work.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 13.1 x86_64 “Bottle” at Telcontar)

10

> If I try to use opensuse imagewriter, it refuse to use my iso and I get
> a warning
>> Sorry. I can’t write this iso. You need to use another program to write
>> it it to a DVD
>>>That does not make sense.
>>>It is a popup error message from imagewriter.
>>>>dd should work as well as imagewriter.
Image writer refuse to copy the iso file.

This week-end I will retry with another usb stick and give you more info.

11

Are you running imagewriter from Windows? If so which version there are known problem with Windows 8

12

WARNING 1 : For all the thread in this post, All the boot test from USB STICK I made was not done on the notepad with EFI. But all the work is made on that notepad with EFI. The boot test made from the iso file using windows XP within virtualbox is made from the notepad with EFI.

**WARNING 2 : As I said, although I have reached my goal using windows XP in VIRTUALBOX, all manipulations to make a bootable USB STICK which I am speaking about are now performed under opensuse 13.1
**
Here are asked info :

1°) opensuse studio imagewriter version 1.10 : not usable

2°) fdisk -l :

linux:~ # fdisk -l
WARNING: fdisk GPT support is currently new, and therefore in an experimental phase. Use at your own discretion.

Disk /dev/sda: 1000.2 GB, 1000204886016 bytes, 1953525168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
Disk label type: gpt


#         Start          End    Size  Type            Name
 1         2048       616447    300M  EFI System      EFI system partition
 2       616448      2459647    900M  Windows recover Basic data partition
 3      2459648      2721791    128M  Microsoft reser Microsoft reserved partition
 4      2721792    125601791   58.6G  Microsoft basic Basic data partition
 5    125601792    166561791   19.5G  Microsoft basic Basic data partition
 6    166561792    207521791   19.5G  Microsoft basic Basic data partition
 7    207521792    330401791   58.6G  Microsoft basic Basic data partition
 8   1911561615   1953525134     20G  Windows recover Basic data partition
Partition 8 does not start on physical sector boundary.
 9    330401792    334618623      2G  Microsoft basic primary
10    334618624    334827519    102M  Microsoft basic EFI Opensuse
11    334827520    460664831     60G  Microsoft basic primary
12    460664832    544555007     40G  Microsoft basic primary
13    544555008    628447231     40G  Microsoft basic primary
14    628447232    754284543     60G  Microsoft basic primary
15    754284544    838174719     40G  Microsoft basic primary
16    838174720    964012031     60G  Microsoft basic primary
17    964012032   1089849343     60G  Microsoft basic primary
18   1089849344   1215686655     60G  Microsoft basic primary
19   1215686656   1341523967     60G  Microsoft basic primary
20   1341523968   1404450815     30G  Microsoft basic primary
21   1404450816   1467361279     30G  Microsoft basic primary
22   1467361280   1509306367     20G  Microsoft basic primary
23   1509306368   1551251455     20G  Microsoft basic primary
24   1551251456   1911560191  171.8G  Microsoft basic primary

Disk /dev/sdc: 8099 MB, 8099201024 bytes, 15818752 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk label type: dos
Disk identifier: 0xc3072e18

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sdc1              56    15818751     7909348    c  W95 FAT32 (LBA)

3°) dd_rescue copy :

linux:# dd_rescue  ./UBCD4Win_JCD.iso  /dev/sdc
dd_rescue: (info): Using softbs=131072, hardbs=4096
dd_rescue: (warning): /dev/sdc is a block device; -a not recommended; -A recommended
dd_rescue: (info): expect to copy 801792kB from ./UBCD4Win_JCD.iso
dd_rescue: (info): ipos:    788480.0k, opos:    788480.0k, xferd:    788480.0k
                   errs:      0, errxfer:         0.0k, succxfer:    788480.0k
             +curr.rate:   202402kB/s, avg.rate:   190462kB/s, avg.load: 19.3%
             >----------------------------------------.<  98%  ETA:  0:00:00
dd_rescue: (info): read ./UBCD4Win_JCD.iso (801792.0k): EOF
dd_rescue: (info): Summary for ./UBCD4Win_JCD.iso -> /dev/sdc
dd_rescue: (info): ipos:    801792.0k, opos:    801792.0k, xferd:    801792.0k
                   errs:      0, errxfer:         0.0k, succxfer:    801792.0k
             +curr.rate:   151834kB/s, avg.rate:     7654kB/s, avg.load:  0.8%
             >-----------------------------------------< 100%  TOT:  0:01:45
linux:#

3°) dd_rescue copy with -A option :

inux# dd_rescue -A ./UBCD4Win_JCD.iso  /dev/sdc
dd_rescue: (info): Using softbs=131072, hardbs=4096
dd_rescue: (info): expect to copy 801792kB from ./UBCD4Win_JCD.iso
dd_rescue: (info): ipos:    614400.0k, opos:    614400.0k, xferd:    614400.0k
                   errs:      0, errxfer:         0.0k, succxfer:    614400.0k
             +curr.rate:  2014123kB/s, avg.rate:  2041976kB/s, avg.load: 99.7%
             >-------------------------------..........<  76%  ETA:  0:00:00
dd_rescue: (info): read ./UBCD4Win_JCD.iso (801792.0k): EOF
dd_rescue: (info): Summary for ./UBCD4Win_JCD.iso -> /dev/sdc
dd_rescue: (info): ipos:    801792.0k, opos:    801792.0k, xferd:    801792.0k
                   errs:      0, errxfer:         0.0k, succxfer:    801792.0k
             +curr.rate:  1511048kB/s, avg.rate:     7770kB/s, avg.load:  0.4%
             >-----------------------------------------< 100%  TOT:  0:01:43
linux#

Note 1 :
The USB STICK is not bootable.
The linux box boot directly to hard disk with no error.

Note 2 :
Here is the directory files list of the dvd which boot normaly : http://paste.opensuse.org/49311869
This dvd was burned using the iso file I try to copy to usb stick.](http://paste.opensuse.org/57241379)When I extract the files from this iso using Ark, and then retry to make the corresponding new iso, this new iso is not bootable.
The new iso is not bootable because I did not find the good boot sector parameter to tell mkisofs.

ISOLINUX=???

    mkisofs -r -V "UBCD_JCD2" -cache-inodes -J -R -V -l -joliet-long -iso-level 4 \
    -b **$ISOLINUX**  -c isolinux/boot.cat \
    -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table  \
    -o $OUTPUT_ISO  $SOURCE_FOLDER

Here some error messages when testing the new iso file on windows XP machine in virtualbox :

URL 1 : http://paste.opensuse.org/39764463

URL 2 : http://paste.opensuse.org/26191330

URL 3 : http://paste.opensuse.org/22161793

Any help is welcome.](http://paste.opensuse.org/57241379)

13

On 2014-04-21 11:56, jcdole wrote:
>
> WARNING 1 : FOR ALL THE THREAD IN THIS POST, ALL THE BOOT TEST FROM USB
> STICK I MADE WAS NOT DONE ON THE NOTEPAD WITH EFI. BUT ALL THE WORK IS
> MADE ON THAT NOTEPAD WITH EFI. THE BOOT TEST MADE FROM THE ISO FILE
> USING WINDOWS XP WITHIN VIRTUALBOX IS MADE FROM THE NOTEPAD WITH EFI.
> *WARNING 2 : As I said, although I have reached my goal using windows XP
> in VIRTUALBOX, all manipulations to make a bootable USB STICK which I am
> speaking about are now performed under opensuse 13.1
> *

I’m lost :-}

> Here are asked info :
>
> 1°) opensuse studio imagewriter version 1.10 : not usable

Then use instead
ImageUSB
(osforensics)

It is mentioned on the talk section of the wiki page with usb write
instructions for Windows.

> 2°) fdisk -l :
>
> Code:
> --------------------

> 7 207521792 330401791 58.6G Microsoft basic Basic data partition
…
> 11 334827520 460664831 60G Microsoft basic primary
…
>
> Disk /dev/sdc: 8099 MB, 8099201024 bytes, 15818752 sectors
> Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
> Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
> I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
> Disk label type: dos
> Disk identifier: 0xc3072e18
>
> Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
> /dev/sdc1 56 15818751 7909348 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)
>
>
>
> --------------------

A “Microsoft basic data partition” on GPT disks is simply equivalent to
types 0x06, 0x07, and 0x0B, and equivalent to 0x01, 0x04, 0x0C, and
0x0E. See wikipedia “Microsoft basic data partition”.

The type “Microsoft basic primary” I’m unsure. I think it is a normal
partition, with “basic” being M$ parlance for “not dynamic partition”.

sdc is supposed to be the USB boot stick? It will not work.

This is what the 4 GB image from 13.1 on a USB disk properly done looks
like:


> Telcontar:~ # fdisk -l /dev/sdh
>
> Disk /dev/sdh: 7820 MB, 7820083200 bytes, 15273600 sectors
> Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
> Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
> I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
> Disk label type: dos
> Disk identifier: 0x7e142954
>
>    Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
> /dev/sdh1            3764       11955        4096   ef  EFI (FAT-12/16/32)
> /dev/sdh2   *       11956     8931327     4459686   17  Hidden HPFS/NTFS
> Telcontar:~ #

> 3°) dd_rescue copy :
>
>
> Code:
> --------------------
> linux:# dd_rescue ./UBCD4Win_JCD.iso /dev/sdc
> dd_rescue: (info): Using softbs=131072, hardbs=4096
> dd_rescue: (warning): /dev/sdc is a block device; -a not recommended; -A recommended
> dd_rescue: (info): expect to copy 801792kB from ./UBCD4Win_JCD.iso
> dd_rescue: (info): ipos: 788480.0k, opos: 788480.0k, xferd: 788480.0k
> errs: 0, errxfer: 0.0k, succxfer: 788480.0k
> +curr.rate: 202402kB/s, avg.rate: 190462kB/s, avg.load: 19.3%
> >----------------------------------------.< 98% ETA: 0:00:00
> dd_rescue: (info): read ./UBCD4Win_JCD.iso (801792.0k): EOF
> dd_rescue: (info): Summary for ./UBCD4Win_JCD.iso → /dev/sdc
> dd_rescue: (info): ipos: 801792.0k, opos: 801792.0k, xferd: 801792.0k
> errs: 0, errxfer: 0.0k, succxfer: 801792.0k
> +curr.rate: 151834kB/s, avg.rate: 7654kB/s, avg.load: 0.8%
> >-----------------------------------------< 100% TOT: 0:01:45
> linux:#
>
> --------------------
>
>
>
> 3°) dd_rescue copy with -A option :

Don’t.

…

Are you altering the ISO image in any manner? Just copy the original ISO
as downloaded to the USB stick witout altering it in any way, per the
approved instructions.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 13.1 x86_64 “Bottle” at Telcontar)

14

Just to say that the following “fdisk -l” show an EFI dual boot “windows 8 / opensuse” box but I did not try to boot with my usb stick on it. I use this system to make my USB stick bootable.

Ok, I will have a try.

Yes sdc is the USB boot stick .
But I can’t make it bootable. But it is not a harware problem.

Somebody asked me for giving result from fdidk -l . I did it.
That just prove that the usb key is /dev/sdc, and that I did not make device error when using dd ( or dd_rescue ).
This key is just new out of the box and is formated with filesystem of typeId : c (W95 FAT32 (LBA))

I show the two dd copy because of this warning :
dd_rescue: (warning): /dev/sdc is a block device; -a not recommended; -A recommended

I am not trying to alter any thing.
I try using linux tools to make a copy to an USB stick from a bootable iso which contains some tools.
The contents of the iso can be see here : SUSE Paste

15

I have not bothered with GPT partitioning, so am not familiar with it.

… but, I know that in partitioning HDs in MBR, the limit for proper operation is a maximum of 4 Primary Partitions per drive.

Does GPT change that?

All those primaries listed in the OP’s output boggled my mind!:open_mouth:

16

On Mon 21 Apr 2014 07:56:01 PM CDT, Fraser Bell wrote:

I have not bothered with GPT partitioning, so am not familiar with it.

… but, I know that in partitioning HDs in MBR, the limit for proper
operation is a maximum of 4 Primary Partitions per drive.

Does GPT change that?

All those primaries listed in the OP’s output boggled my mind!:open_mouth:

Hi
GPT (gdisk) enables 128 partitions, rather than the 15 (primary
and logical) allowed with an extended partition via the old method
(fdisk)

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.1 Kernel 3.11.10-7-desktop
If you find this post helpful and are logged into the web interface,
please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!

17

Yes in essence you can have as many primaries as you want. There is a limit but it is much much bigger then 4

To the OP

No one else seems to be having this problem if they faithfully follow the instructions.

If it is a EFI machine you boot in efi mode
You must make an exact non changed copy of the iso to the device not to a partition. The copy will replace any partitions on the device. If after the copy you still see a fat partition on the device you did something wrong

18

Thanks, Malcolm.

I did not know that.

To an old boot like me, that output looked scary!:wink:

19

On 2014-04-21 20:26, jcdole wrote:

> robin_listas;2638191 Wrote:
>> On 2014-04-21 11:56, jcdole wrote:
>>
>> robin_listas;2638191 Wrote:
>> sdc is supposed to be the USB boot stick? It will not work.
>>
>>
>
> Yes sdc is the USB boot stick .
> But I can’t make it bootable. But it is not a harware problem.
>
> Somebody asked me for giving result from fdidk -l . I did it.
> That just prove that the usb key is /dev/sdc, and that I did not make
> device error when using dd ( or dd_rescue ).
> This key is just new out of the box and is formated with filesystem of
> typeId : c (W95 FAT32 (LBA))

If the stick shows formatted as “W95 FAT32 (LBA)” it will not work at all.

> robin_listas;2638191 Wrote:
>> On 2014-04-21 11:56, jcdole wrote:
>> robin_listas;2638191 Wrote:
>> Are you altering the ISO image in any manner? Just copy the original ISO
>> as downloaded to the USB stick witout altering it in any way, per the
>> approved instructions.

> I am not trying to alter any thing.
> I try using linux tools to make a copy to an USB stick from a bootable
> iso which contains some tools.
> The contents of the iso can be see here :
> http://paste.opensuse.org/49311869

Assuming the iso is in “/pathtoiso/image.iso” do:


fdisk -l /pathtoiso/image.iso
file -s  /pathtoiso/image.iso

Look at mine:


> cer@Telcontar:~> fdisk -l /data/storage_b/Isos/isos_13.1/openSUSE-13.1-DVD-x86_64.iso
>
> Disk /data/storage_b/Isos/isos_13.1/openSUSE-13.1-DVD-x86_64.iso: 4572 MB, 4572839936 bytes, 8931328 sectors
> Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
> Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
> I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
> Disk label type: dos
> Disk identifier: 0x7e142954
>
>                                                       Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
> /data/storage_b/Isos/isos_13.1/openSUSE-13.1-DVD-x86_64.iso1            3764       11955        4096   ef  EFI (FAT-12/16/32)
> /data/storage_b/Isos/isos_13.1/openSUSE-13.1-DVD-x86_64.iso2   *       11956     8931327     4459686   17  Hidden HPFS/NTFS
> cer@Telcontar:~>
> cer@Telcontar:~> file -s /data/storage_b/Isos/isos_13.1/openSUSE-13.1-DVD-x86_64.iso
> /data/storage_b/Isos/isos_13.1/openSUSE-13.1-DVD-x86_64.iso: DOS/MBR boot sector; partition 1 : ID=0xef, start-CHS (0x1,53,21), end-CHS (0x5,53,20), startsector 3764, 8192 sectors; partition 2 : ID=0x17, active, start-CHS (0x5,53,21), end-CHS (0x3ff,63,32), startsector 11956, 8919372 sectors
> cer@Telcontar:~>

That’s what the openSUSE install iso should look like.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 13.1 x86_64 “Bottle” at Telcontar)