You’ll see a list of Linux device paths, which you can convert to GRUB device names on your own. On Ubuntu, open a Terminal and run the following command: You can use the fdisk -l command to view this information. For example, (hd3,6) refers to the sixth partition on the fourth hard disk. In other words, in a GRUB device name, the disk numbers start counting at 0 and the partition num6ers start counting at 1 - yes, it’s unnecessarily confusing. The 0 means the first hard disk, while the 1 means the first partition on it. In GRUB, (hd0,1) is equivalent to /dev/sda0. On a Linux system, /dev/sda1 is the first partition on the first hard disk - a means the first hard disk and 1 means its first partition. GRUB uses a different “device name” scheme than Linux does. You’ll need to know their location inside the ISO file later.ĭetermine the Hard Drive Partition’s Path If you’re using a Ubuntu ISO file, you’ll find these files inside the casper folder - the vmlinuz file is the Linux kernel and the initrd file is the initrd image. Locate the kernel file and the initrd image.
In the Nautilus file manager, right-click the ISO file and select Open with Archive Manager. For example, you can do this by opening the ISO file with the Archive Manager/File Roller graphical application that comes with Ubuntu and other GNOME-based desktop environments. You may need to look inside the ISO file to determine exactly where specific files are. Many Linux-based bootable utility discs should also work. if you want to use them in a live environment without installing them to your hard drive, be sure to download the “ live CD” versions of each Linux ISO.
Sorry, you can’t boot a Linux ISO file directly from a Windows system using the Windows boot loader.ĭownload the ISO files you want to use and store them on your Linux partition. Your computer must be using the GRUB2 boot loader, which is a standard boot loader on most Linux systems. This trick requires you have a Linux system installed on your hard drive.
Now my SanDisk USB flash drive is bootable and I can use it to install Windows 8.1 on any computer that supports USB bootable.RELATED: How to Configure the GRUB2 Boot Loader's Settings.In this example, it took about 20 minutes to create bootable USB from Windows 8.1 installation DVD (4 GB). Wait for Rufus copying files to USB drive.You will be asked to confirm that all data on selected USB device will be deleted.Click an icon next to the drop-down option to browse an ISO image file.Select ISO Image from the drop down option.Make sure that the check box Create a bootable disk using is checked.
In this example, I have my USB flash drive, SanDisk Cruzer Fit (8 GB), connected on ‘F’ drive.
It also has full support on UEFI and GPT. It works only on Windows, but you can use it to create any bootable operating system. It can create USB installation media from bootable ISOs (Windows, Linux, UEFI, Hiren’s, etc.).
Rufus is a free software (GNU GPLv3) that can format and create bootable USB flash drives. So I’m going to recommend another tool which works great and have no problem. Last time, I wrote an article about how to create bootable USB with UNetbootin which is a good tool, but there might be some issue with large image file (NTFS file system). If you want to reinstall operating system on your PC or laptop, you can install it from USB flash drive which is very easy and faster compare with optical drive like CD, or DVD.