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Asked: 2024-09-24T22:08:05+05:30 In:

What command should I use to write an Ubuntu ISO file to a USB external hard drive using the dd tool?

So, I’ve been trying to figure out how to make a bootable USB drive with an Ubuntu ISO I downloaded, and I keep running into issues. I heard that the `dd` command is this powerful tool that can do the job, but honestly, I’m a bit intimidated by it. I mean, it’s just a one-liner, but I’ve also read that if you mess it up, you can unintentionally wipe your hard drive. That’s super terrifying!

Can anyone walk me through how to use this? I just want to make sure I’m doing it right. I’ve got the ISO file saved on my computer, and I’ve plugged in my external USB hard drive. I know there are some important steps like identifying the correct device path for the USB drive, but I’m worried I’m going to get it wrong. I’ve seen some people suggest using `lsblk` or `fdisk -l` to list the drives, but it all sounds a bit overwhelming.

Also, are there specific flags I need to use with the `dd` command? I stumbled upon a few examples, and they all look a bit different, which makes me even more confused. Like, do I have to use `if=` and `of=`? And what about that `bs=` parameter I keep seeing? Should it be set to 4M or something else?

I’d also love some tips about safely unmounting the USB drive afterward. I’ve heard horror stories of people just pulling it out and ending up with corrupted files. Is there any particular command I should run to make sure everything’s done properly?

If someone could break it down, step by step, that would be amazing! I’m just looking to get this Ubuntu USB set up so I can test out some features on an old laptop, and I really don’t want to mess it up. Thanks in advance for any help!

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    2 Answers



    1. Creating a Bootable Ubuntu USB Drive


      How to Create a Bootable USB Drive with Ubuntu ISO

      No worries! It can feel overwhelming, but we’ll break it down step by step.

      Step 1: Identify Your USB Drive

      First, you need to make sure you know the device path of your USB drive. Plug in your USB drive and open a terminal. Then run:

      lsblk

      Look for your USB drive in the list. It will usually be something like `/dev/sdb` or `/dev/sdc`. Make sure you can tell it apart from your hard drive. Remember, don’t use the wrong one!

      Step 2: Unmount the USB Drive

      Before using `dd`, you need to unmount the USB drive. If your USB is, for example, `/dev/sdb1`, do this:

      sudo umount /dev/sdb1

      Step 3: Use the `dd` Command

      Now here’s the actual command. Make sure to replace `/path/to/your.iso` with the actual path to your Ubuntu ISO and `/dev/sdX` with your USB drive path (like `/dev/sdb`).

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

      Let’s break down the flags:

      • if= is the input file (the ISO).
      • of= is the output file (your USB drive).
      • bs=4M sets the block size to 4 megabytes, which can make the process faster.
      • status=progress shows you the progress of the command, so you know something is happening.

      Important: Double-check that you’ve typed the right device path for your USB stick! Making a mistake here can wipe your hard drive. Yikes!

      Step 4: Safely Unmount the USB Drive

      Once the `dd` command has finished (it might take a bit), you should unmount your USB drive properly to avoid corruption:

      sudo sync
      sudo umount /dev/sdX

      The sync command ensures that all writing processes are finished before you unplug the USB drive. Now you’re good to go!

      Final Thoughts

      Take your time and follow each step closely. It’s totally understandable to feel a bit scared about using `dd`, but just remember, as long as you double-check everything, you should be just fine! Enjoy testing Ubuntu on your old laptop!


    2. Creating a bootable USB drive using the `dd` command can seem intimidating at first, but by following a few careful steps, you can achieve this without much hassle. Start by identifying the path to your USB drive. You can do this by running either `lsblk` or `fdisk -l` in your terminal. These commands will list all connected drives; look for your USB drive, which is usually listed as something like `/dev/sdb` (note that this may vary depending on how many storage devices you have connected). Make sure to note down the exact device path, as using the wrong one could overwrite your main hard drive. With your ISO file ready, the basic structure of the `dd` command is: sudo dd if=/path/to/your.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress, where you replace /dev/sdX with your USB drive’s device path.

      When using the `dd` command, the parameters are important: if= refers to the input file (your ISO), of= refers to the output file (your USB drive), and bs= sets the block size for data transfer (using 4M is generally a good choice for speed, but you can adjust as needed). After running the `dd` command, it will take some time depending on the image size and speed of the USB drive. To prevent data corruption, after `dd` completes, ensure you safely unmount the USB drive using the command sudo umount /dev/sdX (again, replace /dev/sdX with your USB’s device path). This step ensures all cached writes are finished before physically removing the drive. Following these steps will provide you with a bootable USB drive for Ubuntu without the risk of losing your data elsewhere.

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