3

I am trying to run ubuntu off of USB. Here is what I did:

  1. Checked USB formatting. confirmed that it is FAT32
  2. From instructions on this page I downloaded (Universal USB installer).
  3. From this page I downloaded ubuntu 32 bit onto my windows PC.
  4. I ran the universal USB installer as per the instructions here and successfully (seemingly) downloaded everything onto the USB
  5. Restarted computer; hit esc. for start up options; F9 for list of options but then Flash Drive is not an option.

I don't know what I did wrong but last week I took a class using this same computer where flash drives were provided with Ubuntu and I was able to boot right up, no problem. I think I missed a step putting together this USB.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

8
  • 1
    What options are there? What kind of computer do you have? Old BIOSes sometimes can't boot from USB devices so a CD could be burned as an alternative.
    – nanofarad
    Sep 3, 2012 at 20:05
  • The options are 1. Notebook Hard Drive 2. Internal CD/DVD ROM Drive and 3. SanDisk. Below it says to hit F10 for BIOS set up options. Based on the comments below it seems that I should go ahead with F10 and take a look at the BIOS options. I am confused by one thing: as I mentioned last week in a class that I was taking I did not have any issues booting off of the USB (and I haven's made any changes to the computer since). Last week USB was #4 on the list above. I am using a HP Pavillion g6 with Windows 7. I will let you know hot it goes with the BIOS options. Thank you.
    – hydro
    Sep 3, 2012 at 20:12
  • 1
    Try SanDisk, especially if your flash drive is made by this manufacturer.
    – nanofarad
    Sep 3, 2012 at 20:43
  • I just went through the BIOS options and under boot options, external USB device is not an option. It is listed as activated under the boot order options but again, not actually under the actual boot options. I do not have this problem with my other flash drive. The problematic flash drive is a 4MB SanDisk. I am will look at the SanDisk webiste. I am looking for a SanDisk installer instead of the universal USB installer, correct? Thank you.
    – hydro
    Sep 3, 2012 at 21:40
  • No. You want the universal installer. You should still boot from "SanDisk".
    – nanofarad
    Sep 3, 2012 at 21:48

4 Answers 4

3

In some case, you need to Enable External Device boot or sometimes called USB Boot from BIOS Settings in order to see Flash Drive in option.

Check your computer specific BIOS Settings for more precise USB Settings, External Device Boot & BOOT ORDER related information.

Try other Boot Devices listed in Boot Menu, sometimes it is known as Mass Storage or comes under Hard Drive!

PS: Don't forget to Save Changes and Exit. in BIOS!

2

In your boot menu, you just need to pick SanDisk, as per the OP's first comment, as well as succeeding ones.

1

On some systems, you'll find the option "floppy disk" or something that suggests that. That's the one you need to pick in BIOS for USB.

0

This is a hardware limitation, if USB is not a boot option then either it's turned off on your BIOS or your system does not support USB booting.

If that is the case you are better off using a CD to install Ubuntu.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .