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USB Booting Linux

12 years ago

Does the BIOS needs changing to boot up on a Linux USB? TIA

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Comments (6)

zep516
12 years ago
I don't know,

But I'll Google boot up on a Linux USB?

Meet back here and tell me what you discovered.

By then someone else may have the answer.

OK I'm back. This is what I found so far,

http://www.informationweek.com/software/operating-systems/how-to-run-linux-from-a-usb-flash-drive-/d/d-id/1067912?

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-boot-Linux-from-USB/

This post was edited by zep516 on Wed, Dec 11, 13 at 20:31
iris_gal
Original Author
12 years ago
I made my USB using unetbootin-windows-585.exe and ver. 10.xx of Ubuntu because I prefer its interface. Just plug it in before turning on the computer and I have that operating system.

But I vaguely remember something about boot order in the BIOS. And the key I was using on my machine to access its BIOS was wrong, So guess I need to try another F key.

Her computer ignored the USB and booted up in Windows.

I checked out the links and one said machines can vary (on booting from USBs). Thanks Zep.
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Well I am using Mepis7.0 and a version of Ubuntu7.10 called gOS currently. I would recommend Mepis7.0 highly to any new users because most everything just works out of the box with Mepis with not too much tinkering around. Ubuntu is also a good choice however I much prefer the KDE desktop to the Gnome which comes with Ubuntu, so instead I would recommend Kubuntu which is Ubuntu with KDE instead of Gnome. I would NOT recommend gOS, I am a global moderator on the gOS forum and really it is just a mess, it is a very incomplete version and the people that put it out have changed it several times and not always for the better. So because of all the problems with it I just do not recommend it. The great thing about linux is there is a flavor for everyone! And lots of linux community out there willing to help. Changing from dial up in my opinion is absolutely one of the best moves a person can make! It becomes a whole new world. I am on verizon fios which I love because it is so stable and extremely fast. IF you get a good modem/router that has a built in Nat firewall on, and install a software firewall like zonealarm free you will be on your way to stopping the bad guys. With Linux of course that is less of a worry but there are firewalls and antivirus programs for linux, in fact in Mepis7 the guarddog firewall comes with it set up and on, as well as ClamAV antivirus, pretty neat since it is all free. Most of the versions of linux come as a live cd which means you can take the cd put it in your computer then reboot the pc so that it now boots from the cd drive (on some pc you have to set the boot order in the bios) when the pc boots up it is running off of the linux cd, nothing gets installed to your pc, you can log in to the demo and look around and use it just like it was installed on your computer, you can get a good feel for it that way and even browse the internet using the provided firefox browser. When you log off you take the cd out and next time you reboot you are right back to your regular pc. To install it once the live cd is in and you are running from it there is an install button right on the desktop of the linux distro you just hit install and follow the directions. Now if you are going to be doing a dual boot system that is more detailed since you will have to do some partitioning to keep your windows partition and create a new partition for linux to live on. But again that partition program is built right into the live cd and is pretty easy, however I would get some one who knows a little about partitioning to help out. You do not want to accidentally wipe out your windows!
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zep516
12 years ago
Yes, not all MotherBoards BIOS support booting from USB.
owbist
12 years ago
For most computers tapping the delete key immediately after the POST beep will bring up the BIOS. I think HP require you to tap the F2 key, try either.

Once in the BIOS just take a look across the top of the page, different BIOS have different setups of course. But you see BOOT or similar, use your keyboard arrow keys to navigate. On any header you tap 'Enter' to bring the page up. Once you have found the boot sequence page use the down arrow keys untill you highlight your choice then use the plus or minus key to make the change. Once satisfied tap the F10 to save and exit, you will need to agree this is the move you want. The computer will then restart seeking the selected drive. These instructions will either appear to the right or underneath once in the BIOS>

Don't be afraid of the BIOS but do not change anything you do not understand. Changing the boot sequence is harmless and will add mere seconds to a normal startup so there is no need to reset the boot order.
Richard (Vero Beach, Florida)
12 years ago
On my Acers, I hit F12 while booting up if I need to boot to a device other than hard drive. There's a chart on this page, not sure how useful it is.

If your motherboard doesn't support booting from USB, there's third party boot managers such as the one discussed here, although personally, I'd probably just install Ubuntu along side Windows. Ubuntu makes it pretty much foolproof but to be safe you can/should image your drive first. :)

I also prefer gnome2. Although I run 12.04, I did the fall-back and other tweaks necessary to regain my preferred look/feel, as well as allow it to run better on my ageing machines.
iris_gal
Original Author
12 years ago
I found my laptop uses ESC key. Her machine is 4 years old so prob. doesn't support USB booting. Will have a look at it next week. Thanks for the specific instructions Owbist.

Going to take a look at the 3rd party boot managers link. Thanks, I can try out what I learn on my old laptop. Thanks Chuggerguy.

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