Cannot boot from usb flash drive to install linux

doctor-M · ‎08-02-2017

I have a HP 620 laptop running Windows 7 x86 Ultimate. I have two free partitions on my hard drive to install linux. I have an ISO file with the linux to be installed (SHA-256 is checked, ISO file is correct) and I try to write it to a usb flash drive as I do not have blank CD to use and I cannot buy one as I am on vacation and there is no store selling blank CDs here. I only have a usb flash drive which has been used many times to install windows 10 on other computers. I use unetbootin to write the ISO to the flash drive. When I reboot, I press F9 to open quick boot menu and select usb drive, the led of the flash drive is blinking for 2-3 seconds and then continues loading Windows. To be honest, I have never tried to install OS on this laptop with USB flash drive. Till now, I used CD every time, now I do not have one. So, what is wrong? What should I do?

TheOldMan · ‎08-02-2017

I checked the UNetbootin home page and it indicates as you posted. Perhaps there is a problem with the ISO. It does say that the app can do the download and the install onto the USB drive for certain Linux distros

https://unetbootin.github.io/

Maybe try that.

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IT_WinSec · ‎08-02-2017

@doctor-M

May I add that you can also check this tutorial for Ubuntu:

>> https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

and also try using Rufus >> https://rufus.akeo.ie/

to create the bootable USB device.

Try MBR partition for BIOS and UEFI / FAT32 file system / 4096 bytes clutter size

Once ready, make sure you keep the USB pendrive pluggedin, restart the PC, hit Esc/F9 and let us know if you see the USB drive detected

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doctor-M · ‎08-02-2017

The usb drive is used many times to install Windows 8.1 and 10 to other computers with no problem. I use rufus to write iso images to it. So I did now. The image is written, I reboot, I select to boot from usb drive, the drive’s led is flashing for 2-3 seconds and then windows 7 installation begins with no sight of kali’s installation.
Then, I used Win32 DiskImager 1.0 referred in the documentation. Now, the usb drive is not readable after image writing and the same laptop’s behavior after rebooting. I tried PowerISO with raw writing at first, but the same as DiskImager happened. The drive is not readable and no usb booting in startup. Then, I tried the option “USB-HDD” of PowerISO. The same as rufus happened. The drive is readable after image writing and no usb booting at startup. Then I tried unetbootin as it is dedicated to linux, not all versions but many of them.

Now, the point is this. I managed to install it but grub loader fails. Opens command prompt saying normal.mod is missing. I wish I could restore windows boot loader.... then I know what to do.

TheOldMan · ‎08-02-2017

In order to fix the Windows booting problem. Try EasyBCD. There is a free version and it is Windows and Linux friendly, so if both are now installed, it can sort out the problem.

http://neosmart.net/EasyBCD/

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doctor-M · ‎08-03-2017

Seems that this laptop is not booting from usb. I tried to boot FreeDOS too and it is not booting. Every attempt to boot from usb fails. The led from the usb drive flashes for 2-3 seconds and nothing happens. Laptop has the latest BIOS version installed (F20). So, is there any special bios setting to be able to boot from usb? Usb legacy support is enabled, UEFI is disabled, what should I do? (enabling UEFI didn't help.)

Kylian · ‎08-03-2017

Did you format your USB to the right format forLinux and your laptop? If not, Do so.

doctor-M · ‎08-04-2017

Everything was done according to the documentation. The flash drive boots with no problem on another pc. I wrote FreeDos to the flash drive and the same happened. Trying to boot on the other pc, FreeDos booted with no problem. It is not the flash drive, it is not the distro writen. It is the laptop itself causing the problem.

doctor-M · ‎08-12-2017

Can anyone tell me what should I do to be able to boot from USB? My usb flash drive boots normally when it is used to other computers but it never boots with this laptop. What should I do? I have updated BIOS, usb legacy support is enabled, efi support is disabled (enabling it didn't help).