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General discussion

how to boot linux from a flash drive with my Mac Book Pro

by brlarson Jun 25, 2010 10:21AM PDT

I have been playing around with a Ubunto 10.04 live cd (32bit) on my mac. I want to be able to boot this OS (or similar) on my Mac, and on any other computer (PC or Mac). I also want it to remember changes and files.

From looking around this is possible from a USB (with a Casper RW loop file I think). I have used the Live CD to create a bootable flash drive, which works on PC's but not my mac. Using these instructions: http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-1065670.html I was able to get my Mac to see the Linux at boot but once I clicked the Tux icon it would hang/ freeze. I let it sit for 10+ min and nothing happened. I started over (with a fresh formatting) and got the same results.

I have reformatted the flash drive and am ready to try over.
I think that I am goofing up in terminal steps as I am not use to doing that.

After the last step in the terminal I get an error, something like invalid number or similar, it is not the one mentioned in the instructions.

How do I get this to work on my Mac?

Thanks
Ben
How do I fix this?

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Equipment.
by Porch-a-Geese Jun 25, 2010 12:03PM PDT

Does the media meet the standards set in the example?
"REQUIREMENTS:
1. One (1) Flash Drive with a minimum of 4GB of free space **
2. Ubuntu Live CD
3. Working disc drive
4. Intel Mac (only for compatibility with Intel Macs)

** Recommend: Do NOT use flash drives with U3 Smart capability (e.g. GeekSquad flash drives).


SOFTWARE:
rEFIt (http://refit.sourceforge.net) **

** Only required for making bootable on Intel Macs. Must use a Mac to install rEFIt initially."

Did you read the warning?
"RECOMMENDED: ADVANCED USERS ONLY

NOTE: THIS IS A FULL INSTALLATION OF UBUNTU. THIS IS NOT A LIVE USB STARTUP DISK."

Did you properly partition or repartition the drive?

The suggestion to use an FAT type partition for a Linux install is not what an experienced user would tell you. It should be ext3.
Swap can be a partition on the computer itself. Again, an experienced user would tell you to edit /etc/fstab.

I'd suggest asking a debian user or going to linuxquestions.

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thanks for the tips
by brlarson Jun 25, 2010 12:42PM PDT

Yes my equipment meets the requirements. I never use the U3 crap. I downloaded the software, and installed per instructions.
I formatted it via Mac to a clean FAT partition.

Yes it is for advanced users, I am not yet but working that way. I an a (retired) power windows user, moderate Mac user and a new Linux user. I Want to learn which, but I am not in a spot to install it on my Mac, so I I am seeking help to do it on a flash drive.

when you say it is a "full installation, not a live USB" are you saying it will not work in the manner I want? I thought that it would act like I installed a full Linux system and am taking that to whatever computer I want to use it on.

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Here is a better, so to speak, application
by Porch-a-Geese Jun 27, 2010 1:35AM PDT
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not feasable
by brlarson Jun 27, 2010 9:14AM PDT

from the links above, it looks like my desire might be possible, but if it does not work (which it has not) then I am out of luck?

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Also check here
by GODhack Jun 28, 2010 2:32AM PDT
Back to Linux forum

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