How to Make openSUSE 11.1 LiveUSB

opensuse-111-liveusb
This tutorial using openSUSE 11.1 KDE 4 LiveCD. You may try with another iso (Gnome as an example) or build a brand new iso by using KIWI.

Although it was not using GUI application, making openSUSE 11.1 LiveUSB is not too difficult to do. Below is a step by step tutorial about “how to make openSUSE 11.1 LiveUSB” :

PREPARATION

Preparing USB Flash Disk, 1 GB or more
If using Windows for making LiveCD, download latest version of syslinux
Download modified initrd – called initrdud – from my uploads folder. I try to modified initrd instead of using default initrd because I always got this message using default initrd :

Mounting Live boot device…..
Couldn’t find Live image configuration file..

Related article : Thread on openSUSE forum regarding same problem

MAKE A BOOTABLE LIVEUSB

ON WINDOWS

Run your Windows OS
Plug in USB Flash Disk
Extract syslinux on Windows folder
Open DOS Prompt (Command Prompt)
Navigate into win32 folder on syslinux folder
Run syslinux -ma driver-letter-of-flash-disk, eg :
```
syslinux -ma F: 
```
if F is your USB Flash Disk.

ON LINUX
1. Find your USB disk with
```
df -h
```
  on konsole.
2. Install syslinux and run syslinux /dev/sdx from konsole where /dev/sdx is your USB device
3. If the above process failed for making bootable USB disk, try another tips

PROCESSING THE IMAGE

Plug in bootable USB disk
Create temporary folder for mounting LiveCD ISO and then mount the iso
```
mkdir /mnt/liveiso
mount -o loop openSUSE-11.1-KDE4-LiveCD-i686.iso /mnt/liveiso/
```
(I’m currently using openSUSE 11.1 KDE. Make a proper changes to your ISO image if you used another iso image)
Copying all of liveiso content (mounted ISO content) into USB disk
Copying all of content on boot/i386/loader folder into root folder of USB disk
Rename isolinux.cfg on root folder of USB disk into syslinux.cfg
Copying initrdud into root folder of usb disk

Make a few modification into syslinux.cfg, so, USB live will boot with initrdud. Make a change to this line :

append initrd=initrd ramdisk_size=512000 ramdisk_blocksize=4096 splash=silent showopts

into

append initrd=initrdud kiwidebug=1 ramdisk_size=512000 ramdisk_blocksize=4096 splash=silent showopts

kiwidebug=1 option will log any error while booting LiveUSB

TESTING

Boot your computer with USB HDD as top of boot device priority or make a hot boot change by pressing F12, F8, F9 or any key according to your computer
While booting, just press ENTER on boot option. Typing Live-System as mentioned on boot message will failed regarding kernel image

WORKAROUND

If you get an error :

VFS: Cannot open root device “<NULL>” or unknown-block(8,9)
Please append a correct “root=” boot option; here are the available partitions:
Kernel panic – not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(8,9)

Please check if you have syslinux.cfg as mentioned at step 5 on “Processing the Image” stage
If you get an error :

Mounting Live boot device…..
Couldn’t find Live image configuration file..

Check is there a file named as initrdud and you have change syslinux.cfg configuration to used initrdud instead of initrd as mentioned on step 7 of “Processing the Image” stage
Don’t forget to mark the partition on your USB drive as active
Thread on openSUSE forum as noticed above said that I must be copied config.kde.isoclient (or config.gnome.isoclient if you used gnome) to config.isoclient, but I found I already have config.isoclint as symlink for config.kde.isoclient

Related Entries

51 Responses for “How to Make openSUSE 11.1 LiveUSB”

Muhammed Uluyol says:

January 2, 2009 at 8:25 am

Almost none of this is required, the only steps need is the syslinux one then another to copy config.(gnome/kde4).isoclient to config.isoclient

Vavai says:

January 2, 2009 at 1:17 pm

@Muhammed Uluyol,

If I used default initrd, I always keep get the message :

“Mounting Live boot device…..
Couldn’t find Live image configuration file..”

Alwin says:

January 3, 2009 at 1:55 am

I have a plan to buy a new acer one netbook, can I implement this live usb technique for openSuse 11.1 installation? thanks Mr. Vavai.

HowtoMatrix » How to Make openSUSE 11.1 LiveUSB says:

January 4, 2009 at 10:46 am

[...] Although it was not using GUI application, making openSUSE 11.1 LiveUSB is not too difficult to do. Below is a step by step tutorial about “how to make openSUSE 11.1 LiveUSB” : Read more at vavai.net [...]

M. Edward (Ed) Borasky says:

January 4, 2009 at 12:20 pm

1. Can you re-post the link for instructions on how to create “initrdud” from “initrd”? I had the link at one point but I lost it?

2. Can you install software on the USB stick after it’s booted?

3. Have you tried to make a bootable USB stick using Kiwi?

Mike says:

January 4, 2009 at 2:10 pm

Hello & thanks a lot for this how-to. Unfortunately I get the following error message in the section “Loading KIWI CD Boot-System”:

cddev /dev/sda1
–> Mounting live boot drive…
–> Mounting compressed unified tree…
–> Failed to mount read only filesystem
–> Failed to mount root filesystem
–> shellExeption: provding shell…
(none):/ #

I have a 4-GB-stick which is formated with FAT32 (with HP format tool). I currently work under WinXP. In addition to the steps above I copied (in a 2nd try) the content of config.gnome.isoclient to config.isoclient, but that didn’t help, too.

Thanks a lot for any hint.
Mike

Masim "Vavai" Sugianto says:

January 4, 2009 at 6:01 pm

@Mike,
Hi Mike,

I have tried the Gnome ISO yet, I’ll be updated after building Gnome LiveUSB.

Masim "Vavai" Sugianto says:

January 4, 2009 at 6:02 pm

@Alwin,

Yes, you would be. There is a yast2 live installer icon on the desktop that can be used for installing the liveusb image.

Masim "Vavai" Sugianto says:

January 4, 2009 at 6:07 pm

@Edward :

1. Building modified initrd : http://lizards.opensuse.org/2008/06/20/how-to-makeopensuse-110-gm-version-live-usb/

2. I’ve not tried this yet, but I have do the same thing on 11.0. The only problem I have on 11.0 LiveUSB is about bootloader installation. The live installer installing bootloader on LiveUSB, so I must repair bootloader on first login.

3. Yes, I have. I’ll be updated with new article regarding your question.

Mike says:

January 5, 2009 at 2:59 am

Hello Masim,

thank you for your reply. I have tried openSUSE 11.1 KDE as well with a similar result:

cddev /dev/sda1
–> Mounting live boot drive…
–> Failed to mount RW root filesystem
–> shellExeption: providing shell…
(none):/ #

Tutorial: Cómo hacer un openSuSE 11.1 LiveUSB | KDE Blog says:

January 5, 2009 at 3:44 am

[...] De hecho, Masim Sugianto lo explica en una sencilla entrada en su blog. [...]

chip says:

January 6, 2009 at 1:15 am

Hi Masim,

After performing all steps above I got similar results as Mike:

–> Mounting live boot drive…
–> Mounting compressed unified tree…
–> Failed to mount read only filesystem
–> Failed to mount root filesystem
–> shellExeption: providing shell…
(none):/ #

Any clue on how to get rid of that?

I tried both KDE and Gnome versions.

Thanks a lot.

Chip

First openSUSE-Id HackFest says:

January 6, 2009 at 7:11 am

[...] planning to bring this community to be.. in the night and in the morning Vavai gave workshops about creating openSUSE 11.1 Live USB, openSUSE DVD Repositories(in Bahasa Indonesia), and we made plan about our next HackFest (for [...]

ineedme says:

January 9, 2009 at 5:39 am

This is my error screen

–> Mounting live boot drive…
–> Failed to mount RW root filesystem
–> shellExeption: providing shell…
(none):/ #

Chip says:

January 10, 2009 at 3:22 pm

Guys, I gave up already with Suse installation, it raped to much from my time. Just switch to Ubuntu, it took only 20 minutes to install it and not a single problem.

Masim "Vavai" Sugianto says:

January 10, 2009 at 8:19 pm

@Chip,

Sorry, but I’m not interesting with distro war or something like that. I’m an Ubuntu user in the past (5.04 to 6.04) and after 1 years I migrate to openSUSE until now.

I occasionally used Ubuntu for my reference.

If openSUSE ‘raped’ you much time, it probably better to describe what’s your problem. If you decided to use Ubuntu, well, it’s your choice as well as my choice to migrate to openSUSE

Both Ubuntu and openSUSE are Linux and open source application. I love them and even I migrate from Ubuntu to openSUSE, I always appreciate what the Ubuntu guys done until now, and appreciate their hard work to make better Ubuntu.

Panu says:

January 11, 2009 at 2:16 am

Hi,

Get a GRUB error 17 when booting.

2 questions:
(1) when copying files from the iso to the USB, should one use ‘CP -R -L’, because copy-paste in konqueror leads to complaints about symbolic links?
(2) When copying contents of folder ‘loader’ to root on USB, should one overwrite directory.yast?

Richard says:

January 12, 2009 at 4:05 am

I’ve followed your instructions to the letter but get the following on the final screen – similar to Mike:

Using IPI No-Shortcut mode registered taskstats version 1 Freeing unused kernel memory: 316k freed Write protecting the kernel text: 2344k Write protecting the kernel read-only data: 1768k Loading KIWI CD Boot-System... ------------------------------ Creating device nodes with udev Boot logging started on /dev/tty1(dev/console) at Sun Jan 11 20:26:10 2009 -----> Starting boot shell on /dev/tty2 -----> Boot-Logging enabled on /dev/tty3 -----> Kernel logging enabled on: /dev/tty4 -----> Including required kernel modules... -----> Probing module: ata_piix -----> Probing module: uhci-hcd -----> Probing module: ehci-hcd cddevs /dev/sda /dev/sdb i /dev/sda1 cddev /dev/sda1 i /dev/sdb1 cddev /dev/sda1:/dev/sdb1 -----> Mounting live boot drive... -----> Failed to mount RW root filesystem -----> shellException: providing shell... (none):/ #

Richard says:

January 14, 2009 at 6:42 am

Guys

No need for any of this. I’ve found a much simpler fix.

To create a LiveUSB version of OpenSuSE 11.1, use unetbootin (opensource, available for Windows and Linux) to create a bootable OpenSuSE USB using the OpenSuSE 11.1 LiveCD iso.

Then make the following changes in the root directory of the USB memory stick:

1) Delete the existing empty config.isoclient

2) Rename config.kde.isoclient or config.gnome.isoclient (depending on the version you’ve downloaded) to config.isoclient.

That’s it. Reboot and it should load OpenSuSE just fine. At least that was my experience on a Samsung NC10 netbook using the Gnome version!

Ramesh says:

January 14, 2009 at 5:51 pm

I got it working….

Download the latest unetbootin (i downloaded unetbootin-windows-304)

replace the ubninitrd by initrdud that he gave…
replace the line in syslinux.cfg by the line he gave…

it is working….

Mike says:

January 14, 2009 at 7:14 pm

FINALLY …! :O)
That was a difficult one.

Thank’s a lot Richard and Ramesh and Vavai, of course!

The summary for my Thinkpad laptop:

1) Install the Linux to the usb stick with unetbootin.
2) Delete the existing file “config.isoclient” from the usb stick.
3) Rename “config.kde.isoclient”/”config.gnome.isoclient” to “config.isoclient”.
4) Copy the “initurdud” from Preparation step 3 above to the usb stick.
5) Replace the line in “syslinux.cfg” as in step 7 above.

Regards
Mike

Richard says:

January 14, 2009 at 7:40 pm

Hi Ramesh: Yeah, I tried that first but it didn’t work. Same error. I’m not sure what parameters determine success or failure.

Hi Mike: A hybrid solution, eh? Would be interesting to know whether the initrd replacement was actually needed and map to different hardware…

At least we’re all happy bunnies now, as we say here in the UK!

Only patch OpenSuSE seems to need in my case is support for the Atheros AR5007AG wireless network adaptor. Graphics support is there as is support for the wired network adaptor.

I must admit I like Puppy tho… but this is not the place for advocacy.

Mike says:

January 14, 2009 at 8:08 pm

Well, persistence would be nice.

Mike says:

January 16, 2009 at 8:29 am

@Richard: Yes, I made several tests. The replacement of the initrd was necessary.

Any idea about how to get the openSUSE stick peristent?

Regards
Marcel

Walter says:

January 17, 2009 at 2:51 am

Thank you to everybody for its contributions.

My results are:

1. I used Gnome LIVE CD
2. Original instructions resulted in errors
3. With unetbootin I had success when starting the USB on a HP2133 (has no CD) Of course there many drivers missing.
4. With unetbootin I had problems when starting the USB on a DELL 5000, however the LIve CD started without problems.

Tutorial : openSUSE Network Install over PXE-Boot Part I | Spirit of Change says:

January 17, 2009 at 10:20 am

[...] the system by borrowed the CD/DVD ROM from another PC or using external CD/DVD ROM or by using openSUSE 11.1 LiveUSB, but I think it’s a good chance to try better method : Installing openSUSE 11.1 over network [...]

Hety says:

January 19, 2009 at 11:54 am

I managed to make a liveusb drive(initrdud in this post works for i686 version ONLY, trying to make it work on amd64 image gave me “Couldn’t find Live image configuration file.”) and it loads into console, no X.
Any ideas?

E X T O N » Blog Archive » Kör openSUSE 11.1 från en USB-sticka says:

January 19, 2009 at 9:22 pm

[...] from Preparation step 3 (exton: D v s i “ursprungsinstruktionen” på http://vavai.net/2009/01/02/how-to-make-opensuse-111-liveusb/) to the usb stick. 5) Replace the line in “syslinux.cfg” as in step 7 on this site [...]

Ross says:

January 31, 2009 at 1:44 am

When selecting the “default” option on the splash screen, the install begins but stops with the following error: Unpacking initramfs…Kernel panic – not syncing: input is encrypted

Can anyone help. This is the closest I’ve gotten to booting from a USB stick.

Thanks
Ross

vince says:

February 25, 2009 at 7:19 pm

i used this:

but i keep getting: initramfs failure, then a kernel panic…

isy says:

March 15, 2009 at 2:58 am

hello. Sorry my english.
Tell me, please how you edit initrd. I used your INITRDUD, it works. But i need boot from sdb6 (wish) not from sdb1. Or it is better from any Dir.

Thanks

W. Laub says:

March 15, 2009 at 7:47 pm

Hi,

I tested your workaround, but it don’t work with my requirements: the content of the image in the directory [/dev/sdb2]/oss111gnome (because I have many images on stick).

Why do not use a grub option like install=hd://sda2/oss111 to find the things we need? Please, see also http://forums.opensuse.org/install-boot-login/410285-possibility-transfer-live-cd-gnome-usb-stick.html

Thanks
W. Laub

isy says:

March 17, 2009 at 8:36 pm

I try this grub GNU menu-> Exit -> select “SuSE Live CD”, witch boot LiveCD content from directory /dev/sdb8/slcd. Selected item : kernel and entered that:
kernel /slcd/boot/i386/loader/linux root=/dev/sdb8 install=hd:/dev/sdb8/slcd
Didn’t work.
I got error:Could’t find live image configuration file config.isoclient.

The system searches for this file on the first section of all disks, but does not look other sections.

asker says:

March 22, 2009 at 5:33 pm

What changes were made in initrd?
Will you continue modificating initrd in next opensuse versions?

YAOMTC says:

March 24, 2009 at 7:36 am

Hm. While it does boot, it still acts like a LiveCD and changes aren’t saved. I used UNetbootin and did the same things Vince did a month ago, and (unlike his results) it does start up, it just seems to be LiveCD behavior.

Is this what Mike means by ‘persistent’, saving changes to the thumb drive?

Frank says:

March 24, 2009 at 12:51 pm

it is still not working – here’s the error message:

cddev /dev/sda1:/dev/sdb1
mounting live boot drive…
failed to mount RW root filesystem
shellException: providing shell…

What do we must to do???

Kiran Manandhar says:

April 7, 2009 at 1:25 pm

I am using Grub to make bootable usb Drive. I have three partitions on USB key. Two are DOS partition of 60 MBs.
1.First partition-syslinux configured for Offline Windows NT 2K XP password Administration
2.Second Partition- Windwos 98 DOS systems for Ghost, Partition magic, DOS network boot
3.Third Partition – the GRUB boot partition.

I have copied OpenSuse11.1 to the third partition and followed all changes including initrdud. I get
thfollowing error:

cddev /dev/sda1: /dev/sdb1
—> Mounting live boot drive …
—> Couldn’t find Live image configuration file
—> ShellException: providing shell …

The Grub menu.lst contains
title OpenSuse 11.1 Live
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/i386/loader/kernel kiwidebug=1 ramdisk_size=512000 ramdisk_blocksize=4096 splash=silent showopts
initrd /boot/i386/loader/initrdud

Any suggestion will be highly appreciated.

openSUSE 11.1 GNOME LiveUSB « Kamu, Met ? says:

April 16, 2009 at 9:27 pm

[...] 11.1 LiveUSB, jadi tergoda untuk mencoba.. Langsung aja nyambangi vavai.net dan ketemu artikel membuat LiveUSB untuk openSUSE 11.1. Meskipun ditulis memakai bahasa Inggris, tapi tutorial Mas Vavai ini Easy to Understand koq.. Mas [...]

Daemon says:

April 22, 2009 at 5:36 am

Hey there, there’s definitely a fix and I dont get this message (Failed to mount RW root filesystem) after doing the steps below, BUT still no joy

1) Install the Linux to the usb stick with unetbootin.

2) Delete the existing file “config.isoclient” from the usb stick.

3) (I use/picked Gnome so) Rename ”config.gnome.isoclient” to “config.isoclient”.

4) Copied the “initurdud” file from Preparation step 3 above to the usb stick.

5) Commented the first line and Replaced the line in “syslinux.cfg” like so:

label ubnentry0
menu label openSUSE_Live_(GNOME)
kernel /boot/i386/loader/linux
#
# append initrd=/boot/i386/loader/initrd ramdisk_size=512000 ramdisk_blocksize=4096 splash=silent showopts
#
append initrd=initrdud kiwidebug=1 ramdisk_size=512000 ramdisk_blocksize=4096 splash=silent showopts

still no joy though I get stuck at message “Creating X Configuration…”

Any help/ideas to fix this?

Piyush Aggarwal says:

July 12, 2009 at 9:10 pm

I am stuck with the following messages :

Waiting for USB devices to appear ……

Failed to Detect USB drive !

JoseGustavo says:

August 11, 2009 at 12:44 am

hice todos los procedimientos pero obtuve el siguiente error:

…
—> waiting for CD/DVD divice(s) to appear……………
—> waiting for USB divice(s) to settle….
—> Mouting live boot drive
—> Failed to mount RW root filesystem
—> Shell Exeption providing shell
(none):/#_

alguien tiene una idea de que esta fallando??

Le Trape says:

August 16, 2009 at 2:36 am

Hi everyone , some intdrud file that works in a thoshiba satellite a205 without Cd/dvd unit i try all of files and version of intdrud modifyed file and i got many errors

like :
Failed to mount read only system
failed to detect usb devices

etc

i knok that is the intrdud file but i cant get work it
some idea ? file ? or link?

Fudge · Hunt for the perfect Operating System says:

September 2, 2009 at 6:32 pm

[...] the pre existing ISO dump on the USB stick to make it boot. Yes there was a way! Thanks to this link on a blog i managed to tweak some files and boot the Live CD. Once in it i manged to start install. [...]