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Asked: 2024-09-23T15:42:32+05:30 In:

How can I write an ISO image to a USB drive on Ubuntu?

Hey everyone, I’m having a bit of a headache and I could really use your help. So, I’ve got this ISO image that I need to write to a USB drive, and I’m on Ubuntu. Maybe it’s just my brain being fried, but I can’t quite wrap my head around the best way to do this without messing anything up.

I’ve read up on a couple of methods, like using the terminal and graphical tools like ‘Startup Disk Creator’ or ‘Gnome Disks,’ but honestly, they all seem a bit overwhelming right now. I’ve used the terminal for basic stuff, but writing an ISO seems like a bit of a different beast. What if I accidentally format the wrong drive? Horror stories about data loss keep popping into my head.

Also, I’m not entirely sure how to check which drive is my USB once I plug it in. I’ve heard of using `lsblk` or `fdisk -l` commands; will that really show me which is which? I just want to make sure I’m doing things the right way because, let’s face it, I can’t afford to lose any data.

If I go the terminal route, do I need to unmount the USB before I can write the ISO to it? And then what’s the exact command I should use to get this done? I mean, I’ve seen some commands flying around that have options I don’t quite understand, so I don’t want to screw it up.

On the other hand, if you think the graphical tools are better, which one do you think is the easiest to use? I’m looking for something user-friendly, preferably with clear steps or a nice little guide that can walk me through the process without making things more complicated than they need to be.

I just want to get this done without losing my mind (or my files), so any tips or step-by-step instructions would be super appreciated! Thanks a bunch!

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    2 Answers






    1. Writing ISO to USB on Ubuntu


      How to Write an ISO Image to a USB Drive on Ubuntu

      Alright, so let’s tackle this step-by-step. Since you mentioned you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, I’ll break it down into simpler bits. No horror stories here!

      1. Identify Your USB Drive

      When you plug in your USB, you want to check which drive it is. You can use the command:

      lsblk

      This will show you all the connected drives. Your USB will usually be something like sdb, sdc, etc. Look for a size that matches your USB drive. If you want more details, you can use:

      sudo fdisk -l

      2. Unmount the USB Drive

      Before you can write the ISO image, you need to make sure your USB is unmounted. Replace sdb1 with your USB partition name from the previous step:

      sudo umount /dev/sdb1

      3. Writing the ISO Image

      Now, let’s write the ISO! This part can feel a bit scary, but just take a deep breath. Use the following command, replacing path/to/your.iso with the actual path of your ISO file and sdb with your USB drive (don’t include the partition number, like sdb1):

      sudo dd if=/path/to/your.iso of=/dev/sdb bs=4M status=progress

      **Caution:** Double-check that of=/dev/sdb is indeed your USB drive. If you’re unsure, just ask before running this!

      4. Syncing and Ejecting

      After the process is done, it’s a good idea to sync to ensure everything is written properly. You can do that with:

      sync

      Now, safely remove your USB:

      sudo eject /dev/sdb

      Graphical Tools

      If the terminal feels too intense, graphical tools can make this process easier. Here are a couple of options:

      • Startup Disk Creator: It’s usually pre-installed in Ubuntu. Just search for it in your applications, select the ISO, choose your USB drive, and follow the prompts.
      • Gnome Disks: Another user-friendly tool. Launch it, select your USB, click on “Restore Disk Image,” select your ISO, and it will guide you through the process.

      Both of these tools have a nice interface and they usually confirm what you’re doing, so you can avoid making mistakes. Just make sure you choose the right drive!

      Hope this helps you get your ISO written without any data disasters! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!


    2. Writing an ISO image to a USB drive on Ubuntu can indeed feel daunting, but it’s manageable with the right approach. If you prefer using graphical tools, the ‘Startup Disk Creator’ is a simple option. Just insert your USB drive, open ‘Startup Disk Creator’ from the applications menu, select your ISO file, and choose your USB drive. It will automatically handle the unmounting and writing process for you, minimizing the risk of data loss. Alternatively, you can use ‘Gnome Disks,’ which also provides a straightforward interface to format and write the ISO image. Both tools walk you through the essential steps, making them ideal for users who might worry about using the terminal or accidentally selecting the wrong drive.

      If you decide to go the terminal route, ensure that you first identify your USB drive correctly to avoid any chance of formatting the wrong one. Use the command lsblk or fdisk -l to list all drives and find your USB by looking for its size and mount point. Before you write to it, you must unmount it using umount /dev/sdX1 (replace sdX1 with your actual USB identifier). Then, you can use the command sudo dd if=/path/to/your.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress. Be very careful with this command, as using the wrong identifier can lead to data loss. The bs=4M option speeds up the writing process, and status=progress will show you the progress while it writes. Regardless of the method you choose, double-check everything to ensure a smooth experience.

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