Can't boot from USB flash memory

**sventrn** · 11-12-2006, 04:42 PM

I have made an USB 1GB flash memory so:
dd bs=512 if=/dev/hdb of=/devsda1
I can't BOOT KNOPPIX from this flash memory.
When I boot so:
Boot from CD and then open the CDROM door it works.
I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.
Thanks for any help

**Godfearer22004** · 11-29-2006, 11:21 PM

sventrn,
I feel that I have a very similar problem to yours. I have a 1GB flashdrive with Knoppix installed on it. By "Installed" I mean that I can run: Knoppix fromhd=/dev/sda1. I have been tinkering on the subject for quite awhile. My goal is to be able to walk up to any computer that's BIOS supports USB booting and boot into knoppix through the flashdrive exclusively. At this point I have to use the Knoppix CD to boot and then type "Knoppix fromhd=/dev/sda1". Were you able to resolve your problem? Does anyone else have some links or ideas about how to make the USB drive bootable? "Bootable" might not be the right word. I have tried to use GRUB and LILO but don't understand how to use them. I'm not Knoppix fluent, but I know Windows pretty well. Is it possible to install Grub onto the /boot directory on the USB drive from Windows? Does GRUB really work in that syntax? ANY clues would be helpful. I want to avoid using anything else but the flashdrive at all costs. (But then again, I'm desperate!)

Troubleshooting Info:
USB is formatted to FAT
Windows XP already installed on harddrive

**Godfearer22004** · 11-30-2006, 03:34 PM

Yes, that is exactly my problem. Could I ask you some more Questions?
What exactly to you have on your USB drive. Did you use the tohd=/dev/sda1 command. Or is it an ISO file?

My impression was from all the forums that one had to install GRUB or LILO or something similar that would actually be bootable by BIOS then from there you could choose to boot knoppix.

My BIOS has an "External Devices" option first in line, but without the CD my computer it goes straight to XP. (What would be more logical for a Bootable External device than a USB flashdrive?).

But maybe I'm wrong about BIOS needing GRUB to boot, maybe I have a different problem.

Could you briefly explain
dd bs=512 if=/dev/hdb of=/devsda1 (I think you meant of/dev/sda1)
Maybe I just need to look up the cheat codes. Is this a boot command or a console command?
Especially if=... of=...

Godfearer