Making bootable Ubuntu USB

Question

Level 1

0 points

Making bootable Ubuntu USB

I am trying to create a live USB with Ubuntu on it. I have tried several methods to do so. Copying the iso, using specialized live USB creators, everything. Several guides that claim they all can get it to work. My problem is, I can create a live usb, but it never boots. The only way I can get it to boot, is if I bless it in the command line and select that drive while holding down option on startup. This is really annoying and I don't want to have to bless it ever time. How can I create a live, bootable USB that I don't have to bless every time I want to boot from it?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Sep 17, 2013 9:52 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,093 points

Sep 17, 2013 10:13 PM in response to Appenguin

I'm not sure I understand the logic, but if you ask me the problem is more likely with you. Certainly, it isn't a Mac problem, per se. I've made numerous bootable USB flash drives for at least three different Linuxes over the years. I'm not trying to give you the slight, but I don't remember at all what I did. Used recommended tools downloaded from the Web and followed instructions. But I sure didn't look here for any help. That thought never crossed my mind. I relied on the Linux sites, and in particular the Ubuntu site.

Use these instructions.

Reply

Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,093 points

Sep 17, 2013 10:01 PM in response to Appenguin

I see. That makes sense since this is a site with many Ubuntu experts. I don't know what I was thinking.

Ubuntu has a complete guide for creating a bootable USB stick. I've used it in the past. I would ask your question at the Ubuntu forum. Here is just a waste of time.

Reply

Answer 3

Appenguin Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2013 10:03 PM in response to Kappy

Well seeing as how the ubuntu experts didn't seem to be able to fix it, I thought maybe there would be someone here who was a mac expert! I guess I was wrong.

I know it has a complete guide. I'm saying that guide didn't work. None of them did. None of the live USB creation tools worked. so if it works for other people, but not me. It seems like it's a mac problem, not an ubuntu problem.

Reply

Answer 4

Appenguin Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2013 10:17 PM in response to Kappy

I tried UNetbootin, Mac Linux USB Loader, I tried those exact instrictions you just linked me to, on two macs and 3 thumbdrives. All with different partition tables and filesystems. with rEFIt and without. Different distros. None worked

Reply

Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,093 points

Sep 17, 2013 10:23 PM in response to Appenguin

I'm sorry, but I don't know what to suggest you do besides talking to the Ubuntu experts in their forums. As I said I haven't done this in quite some time. I don't remember what I did. It's been a long time. The last Ubuntu distro I installed was an early 11 version.

One thing I can tell you is that rEFIt isn't usable unless you are using Snow Leopard or earlier. Instead you should be using The rEFInd Boot Manager - Roderick Smith.

Reply

Answer 6

Appenguin Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2013 10:45 PM in response to Kappy

Thank you, that would be why. When I upgraded from snow leopard to lion I just migrated, so I still had refit. Thank you so much, I have been dealing with this problem for years but now it works again. Good thing I came to somewhere with Mac experts that know about refit. Unfortunately, somehow in the process of removing refit, which is just deleting one folder, I managed to corrupt my main partition.

Reply

Answer 7

Kappy

Level 10

362,093 points

Sep 17, 2013 9:56 PM in response to Appenguin

If you go to the Ubuntu forum, instead of the Apple forum, you will find the exact steps to follow. I don't understand why you would be looking for this on the Apple forums.

Reply

Answer 8

Appenguin Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2013 9:57 PM in response to Kappy

You don't understand. I have tried every ubnuntu forum guide. Every official ubuntu installation guide. None of them work. So I came here

Reply

Answer 9

Sep 17, 2013 10:05 PM in response to Appenguin

Im shocked to learn you can make an Ubuntu boot via USB. 😊

Reply