ISO files to USB stick.

globetrotterdk · 2021-01-16 10:35

There are probably almost a dozen suggestions as to how to copy an ISO file to a USB stick or pen drive. All of the things I have tried (including dd) have at some point all done something to the USB stick and I have had to bin them - all except the following:

$ sudo apt install flatpak
$ sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
$ flatpak install flathub org.fedoraproject.MediaWriter

I copy ISO files to USB sticks quite frequently. Usually to try out a new Linux distribution, or to figure out something specific, like how to use a different package manager. I have never experienced any problems with the Fedora MediaWriter, and while it puts Fedora products front and center, it is able to both restore USB sticks to original size, as well as burn what it calls "custom image files". In my opinion, a quick and painless way to copy ISO files to a USB stick, without having to bin them from time to time when something goes wrong.

Last edited by globetrotterdk (2021-01-16 10:35)

bin · 2021-01-16 15:26

I have been using the same USB key since 2012 for countless hundreds of ISOs.

I've used dd almost exclusively or gnome-disk-utility.

Every once in a while you get a glitch but a quick trip down gparted lane sorts it out.

globetrotterdk · 2021-01-16 15:38

bin wrote:

I have been using the same USB key since 2012 for countless hundreds of ISOs.
I've used dd almost exclusively or gnome-disk-utility.
Every once in a while you get a glitch but a quick trip down gparted lane sorts it out.

I think this is one of those instances where the phrase "your mileage may vary" applies

crosscourt · 2021-01-16 18:30

Ive got dozens of images I also share with clients and friends and it isnt practical to use USB sticks so Im really old school. I still use Live DVDS as it suits my needs far more and is far cheaper.
I also use Fedora Media Writer for my USB sticks and it works very well.
My preference though is for Etcher where feasible.

Last edited by crosscourt (2021-01-16 18:31)

bin · 2021-01-17 08:16

globetrotterdk wrote:

bin wrote:
I have been using the same USB key since 2012 for countless hundreds of ISOs.
I've used dd almost exclusively or gnome-disk-utility.
Every once in a while you get a glitch but a quick trip down gparted lane sorts it out.
I think this is one of those instances where the phrase "your mileage may vary" applies

Granted - but there has to be something fundamental going on if you're feeling you've got to discard sticks.

I think the worst case scenario I can remember was one where I had to resort to using Windows 7 to clean and reformat the stick. I recall it was something to do with recursive partition tables - it was a while back....

These days I find it much easier to do what you suggest - and I enjoy doing - by using virtual machines. QEMU/KVM works very well once you've got the hang of it.

crosscourt · 2021-01-17 19:58

I actually cant remember a USB stick ever going bad that it couldnt be used, its been that long. I reuse sticks all the time but I also end up working a lot with much older hardware where DVDs can sometimes be a real help. Virtual machines I use on occasion but part of looking at distros is testing the live media and install to see if things work as intended directly.

Midas · 2021-01-18 15:00

While it may not be everyone's taste, the simplest way I have found to date for running ISOs off of an USB drive is with multi-platform Ventoy (https://www.ventoy.net/).

No extracting/writing needed, just copy ISOs to USB after setting up Ventoy.

It's so simple and powerful, I have now set it up as one of my desktop's boot manager. Plenty of use cases in its documentation and forums, too.

q4osteam · 2021-01-18 15:58

The most easy and reliable way is just to copy the iso image into the target device:
$ sudo cp theimage.iso /dev/sdX
see https://www.q4os.org/dqa011.html#install.1

crosscourt · 2021-01-18 17:30

Tried Ventoy awhile back and like it but had quite a few issues and distro compatibility was limited. Will give it another look.

Midas · 2021-01-20 15:19

Ventoy still has some issues, but its flexibility is outstanding -- I'm able to run ISOs and Windows installed to VHDs.

Linux installed to virtual drives is what I want to get working next, but haven't had enough time to test...

Rademes · 2021-01-23 16:29

In my opinion, the best way to write ISO files to USB stick is described here: https://linuxize.com/post/create-bootab … -on-linux/

crosscourt · 2021-01-23 19:36

Nothing wrong with that method but most mainstream users want to put isos on USB sticks using a GUI and an app. I prefer that as well and it really helps to promote Linux to newbies and crossover users from Windows.

Midas · 2021-01-25 14:19

Quick note to add that Lunuxize.com method only allows for a single ISO per USB pendrive -- while using Ventoy (or the tried and tested YUMI, for instance: www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/), the only limit is storage available.

crosscourt · 2021-01-26 02:52

Well said, as this is the reason I was first interested in Ventoy, not to mention its overall design.

Tolkem · 2021-02-20 18:55

I use this https://mxlinux.org/blog/live-usb-maker … -appimage/ just create a .desktop file and add this:

[Desktop Entry]
Comment=
Exec=pkexec env DISPLAY=$DISPLAY XAUTHORITY=$XAUTHORITY KDE_SESSION_VERSION=5 KDE_FULL_SESSION=true /path/to/live-usb-maker-qt-19.11.02.x86_64.AppImage
GenericName=Crear Live USB
Icon=usb-creator-kde
Name=Live USB Maker
NoDisplay=false
Path[$e]=
StartupNotify=true
Terminal=0
TerminalOptions=
Type=Application
X-KDE-SubstituteUID=false
X-KDE-Username=

I use KDE, so I guess it must be adapted to Trinity. Since it is an Appimage, you need to make it executable, either open konsole and type

chmod +x  live-usb-maker-qt-19.11.02.x86_64.Appimage

or right-click on it and tick the box where it reads make this file executable or some similar wording. Then you'll get a passwd dialog

just type in your password to launch it

I've been using that for some time and it's never failed. Ventoy's fine too.

crosscourt · 2021-02-21 18:34

Definitely prefer Ventoy.

Tolkem · 2021-02-22 13:18

crosscourt wrote:

Definitely prefer Ventoy.

Yeah, Ventoy's fine, however, last time I tried to use it got an error, can't remember what it was all about but think it had something to do with permissions, although I had used it before with no errors, it was a previous version not the latest(1.0.35) which I just downloaded and going to give it a try, like I said, MX tool has never, ever failed for me. By the way, did you see this Here is a suggestion for a Ventoy GUI for Linux ... https://forums.ventoy.net/showthread.php?tid=1439 looks fine even though it uses Ventoy 1.0.29, will try that one too.

q4osteam · 2021-03-12 17:46

Ventoy, a multiboot USB creator, testing installer for Q4OS is now available for download from http://sourceforge.net/projects/q4os/fi … ental_apps . We consider installing and using safe however it's testing at the moment.

aluma · 2021-04-17 13:16

Midas wrote:

Quick note to add that Lunuxize.com method only allows for a single ISO per USB pendrive -- while using Ventoy (or the tried and tested YUMI, for instance: www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/), the only limit is storage available.

YUMI works great, I have been using it for several years.
But I want to add the following - not all old motherboards (or rather their BIOS) can boot from a multiboot USB flash drive.
My desktop with Gigabyte ga-945gcm-s2l sees only a USB flash drive with an image recorded by the dd command.

Midas · 2021-04-17 17:10

aluma wrote:

I want to add the following -- not all old motherboards (or rather their BIOS) can boot from a multiboot USB flash drive.

True. Sometimes, one has to switch pendrives, USB port or liveUSB creation method (FWIW, I don't recall UNetBootin ever failing).

aluma · 2021-04-18 20:14

Midas wrote:

True...

Thanks for the support

About YUMI.
This small program for Win does not require installation, it can load images in different ways and is present in the Q4os selection menu. It works for me under Win7 and WinXP in a virtual machine under Linux.
In addition, it can load an OS installed on the hard drive, which cannot be started in any other way (bootloader error, for example, I had such a case). This is much simpler than the usual linux solution - live image, mount filesystem, chroot, etc.

Maybe I'm wrong, but as far as I understand, one of the tasks of Q4os is to facilitate the transition from Win-Lin, so I can safely recommend this program.

PS. In fact, from my own experience, Q4os helps not only wine users. I am a long-time Linux user, but with the rpm and debian packages, at first it was a Chinese letter for me.
Very grateful to the team Q4os, it turned out to be easy with her.

JSM · 2021-04-28 23:24

I am using MultiWriter. Simple and convenient, with no options. To import the ISO, click on the small icon at the top left. MultiWriter can be easily installed with GNOM software (or in another way).

goldbergeliah · 2021-07-02 11:52

The last time I copied Q4OS ISO file to my scandisk pen drive using Rufus, it worked perfectly. However, it somehow effed up the partition. Now half of the Pen drive is lost permanently. I tired many software or linux commands but of no avail.

Midas · 2021-07-02 13:24

@goldbergeliah: if you have access to Windows, I'd give no-install Bootice a go -- it has helped me solve many such problems with USB/SD drives over the years.

Last edited by Midas (2021-07-02 13:28)

Q4OS Forum

#1 2021-01-16 10:35

ISO files to USB stick.

#2 2021-01-16 15:26

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#3 2021-01-16 15:38

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#4 2021-01-16 18:30

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#5 2021-01-17 08:16

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#6 2021-01-17 19:58

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#7 2021-01-18 15:00

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#8 2021-01-18 15:58

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#9 2021-01-18 17:30

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#10 2021-01-20 15:19

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#11 2021-01-23 16:29

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#12 2021-01-23 19:36

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#13 2021-01-25 14:19

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#14 2021-01-26 02:52

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#15 2021-02-20 18:55

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#16 2021-02-21 18:34

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#17 2021-02-22 13:18

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#18 2021-03-12 17:46

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#19 2021-04-17 13:16

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#20 2021-04-17 17:10

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#21 2021-04-18 20:14

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#22 2021-04-28 23:24

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#23 2021-07-02 11:52

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

#24 2021-07-02 13:24

Re: ISO files to USB stick.

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