Tried repeatedly, computer won't boot from usb

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deadclown6

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So it seems like my computer will get to a certain point trying to boot off the usb and just stops. There is no disk activity light going when this happens. I'm using a SanDisk 3.0 150 mb/s stick and I get to the mint logo and it just stops there. I've come to the conclusion that my computer won't boot off usb, so since I don't have an internal dvd drive, the usb dvd drive won't work either. Is there a way to fully install and replace windows internally without dual booting? I don't want any windows left

edit: I guess some information is necessary
windows 10 64-bit
asus fx505dy
 


The .iso on the USB drive could be faulty. How did you prepare the drive? What OS are you trying to boot from the USB drive? You haven't provided enough information to even begin to guess what the problem is.
 
can you test the usb drive with any other computer? if it works, try a different distro on your computer - Arch, Fedora, LMDE. etc - does the boot issue persist? if so, reset your bios to default settings, then change your boot order so usb boot is primary, then try booting from the usb drive again.

if it still fails then toss the usb drive & get a new one.
 
deadclown6 said:
So it seems like my computer will get to a certain point trying to boot off the usb and just stops. There is no disk activity light going when this happens. I'm using a SanDisk 3.0 150 mb/s stick and I get to the mint logo and it just stops there. I've come to the conclusion that my computer won't boot off usb, so since I don't have an internal dvd drive, the usb dvd drive won't work either. Is there a way to fully install and replace windows internally without dual booting? I don't want any windows left

edit: I guess some information is necessary
windows 10 64-bit
asus fx505dy
Click to expand...
your computer will boot on USB. Just about an computer less than 10 years old will. The proof..... well it starts to boot. That tells you it does work.
But it stops. then you likely have a problem with the USB drive you are using. Try another one. Or try different port on computer or perhaps you have a bad copy you are attempting to boot from. Go to an official source and download Linux Fedora Live USB. Put it on the usb using rufus or fedora media writer or something that we all know to work. Then see what happens.

As for eliminating windows, just use the disk utility for partitions (varies by distro) and delete all partitions on the drive. Windows gone. Let installation do what it wants and use the full drive. DO NOT USE ENCRYPTION. unless you want to make your problems worse.
 
deb_user said:
How did you prepare the drive?
Click to expand...
rufus-4.11
deb_user said:
What OS are you trying to boot from the USB drive?
Click to expand...
linuxmint-22.3-cinnamon from https://linuxmint.com/download.php
theLegionWithin said:
can you test the usb drive with any other computer? if it works, try a different distro on your computer - Arch, Fedora, LMDE. etc - does the boot issue persist? if so, reset your bios to default settings, then change your boot order so usb boot is primary, then try booting from the usb drive again.

if it still fails then toss the usb drive & get a new one.
Click to expand...
I tried onn 2.0 16gb, failed
Purchased new SanDisk for better speed and to use in my 3.0 port. I have no type-c port
All I get is the LM green logo and all activity ends there. Every time
Also, I'm not interested in other distros
APTI said:
your computer will boot on USB. Just about an computer less than 10 years old will. The proof..... well it starts to boot. That tells you it does work.
But it stops. then you likely have a problem with the USB drive you are using. Try another one. Or try different port on computer or perhaps you have a bad copy you are attempting to boot from. Go to an official source and download Linux Fedora Live USB. Put it on the usb using rufus or fedora media writer or something that we all know to work. Then see what happens.

As for eliminating windows, just use the disk utility for partitions (varies by distro) and delete all partitions on the drive. Windows gone. Let installation do what it wants and use the full drive. DO NOT USE ENCRYPTION. unless you want to make your problems worse.
Click to expand...
Used multiple usb sticks as mentioned above. What is not mentioned above is I tried in the 2.0 port and the 3.0 ports, same thing every time
 
my hands are bad today so will keep this short
1] check in bios that boot from usb, and secure boot are both enabled
2] download from https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10ISO and follow instructions
3] write to usb drive [do not just copy]
4]switch off machine
5] insert pen drive with the download on, switch on the machine whilst tickling short boot menu key [varies by make of machine] select the usb drive and enter
it should now start to install, BE AWARE, windows will wipe everything from your chosen drive, if multi booting with Linux, You will need to re-install or update grub
 
Last edited:
deb_user said:
You haven't provided enough information to even begin to guess what the problem is.
Click to expand...
What else do you need?
Brickwizard said:
my hands are bad today so will keep this short
1] check in bios that boot from usb, and secure boot are both enabled
2] download from https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10ISO and follow instructions
3] write to usb drive [do not just copy]
4]switch off machine
5] insert pen drive with the download on, switch on the machine whilst tickling short boot menu key [varies by make of machine] select the usb drive and enter
it should now start to install, BE AWARE, windows will wipe everything from your chosen drive, if multi booting with Linux, You will need to re-install or update grub
Click to expand...
How does downloading windows 10 help me get rid of windows 10?
KGIII said:
What do you see if you press F8 when the logo appears?
Click to expand...
Black screen with logo. That's what I see. All activity ceases when the logo appears. First its wide and blurry then it goes round and clear and then nothing changes. I've let it sit for several minutes, at least 15. The only thing I can do at this point is hold power to force shut down.

--
I'm seeing a whole lot of trying to get this usb to work. Is this literally the only way to install mint? Is there really no way to install it within windows and then get rid of the windows?
 
sorry i thought you were trying to install Windows 10/11
ok so its an Asus Tuf gaming lappy.
Make sure you have have disabled windows quick start/fast boot, and secure boot in the bios, whilst there re check that boot from USB is enabled save and do a full power shut down [not reboot]
put USB in primary port [normally the one nearest the power supply switch on whilst holding down Esc until you get the one time boot screen, select the USB and enter ..it should now install, if not check download the ISO again check the SHA sums match then burn to the pen drive and try again
 
Brickwizard said:
sorry i thought you were trying to install Windows 10/11
ok so its an Asus Tuf gaming lappy.
Make sure you have have disabled windows quick start/fast boot, and secure boot in the bios, whilst there re check that boot from USB is enabled save and do a full power shut down [not reboot]
put USB in primary port [normally the one nearest the power supply switch on whilst holding down Esc until you get the one time boot screen, select the USB and enter ..it should now install, if not check download the ISO again check the SHA sums match then burn to the pen drive and try again
Click to expand...
Did these and still hangs on LM logo. Also upgraded rufus to 4.12 and created a new bootable and same thing. I don't know understand the SHA sums part
 
deadclown6 said:
Black screen with logo. That's what I see.
Click to expand...

That is pretty unusual. Normally, it will stop showing the splash screen and will show the commands running as the system boots. I see that Brick has suggested the same thing I would suggest. It is a good idea to verify the integrity of the .iso. It could also have been a faulty 'burn', meaning not all the data was written properly to the USB flash drive.
 
if you are still able to boot windows then do so. Then make sure the usb is in the port and....

Method 1: Boot from USB Using Windows 10 Settings (Easiest)​


This method works if Windows 10 still boots normally.


Step 1: Open Advanced Startup​


  1. Click Start
  2. Click Settings
  3. Go to Update & Security
  4. Select Recovery (left side)
  5. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now


Step 2: Choose Boot Device​


  1. On the blue screen, select Use a device
  2. Select USB Device or the name of your USB drive
  3. The PC will restart and boot from the USB
 
If I may add, try to write to another disk/usb if you can. It could be the one you are using is going out.
If not, I don't know if this would work, but try the advanced startup settings through windows (It would take you to a recovery screen) And there should be an option to boot from USB. I don't know it it would work or not, but you can give it a shot if you'd like.

-Edit- half asleep me just realized this has already been stated. Wooops! Sorry about that!
The advice by APTI should work- if the medium is all good. Could be a faulty burn as well. Have noted that it can stop for a bit on some computers (On 22.2 on some older PCs). Maybe try waiting a while longer. Some take a bit to show the desktop.
 
Last edited:
Brickwizard said:
www.ubuntumint.com

How to Verify SHA256 Checksum of File in Linux

In this article, we will learn about checksums and how they can be used to authenticate a downloaded file from the Internet in Linux.
www.ubuntumint.com www.ubuntumint.com
Click to expand...
Let's not assume I automatically know anything about anything, please. Because I don't. The link only made me more confused. The only text file I have is md5sum.txt

KGIII said:
That is pretty unusual. Normally, it will stop showing the splash screen and will show the commands running as the system boots. I see that Brick has suggested the same thing I would suggest. It is a good idea to verify the integrity of the .iso. It could also have been a faulty 'burn', meaning not all the data was written properly to the USB flash drive.
Click to expand...
I first used rufus-4.11 but then formatted the usb when I updated to rufus-4.12 and stops at the same spot.
APTI said:
if you are still able to boot windows then do so. Then make sure the usb is in the port and....

Method 1: Boot from USB Using Windows 10 Settings (Easiest)​


This method works if Windows 10 still boots normally.


Step 1: Open Advanced Startup​


  1. Click Start
  2. Click Settings
  3. Go to Update & Security
  4. Select Recovery (left side)
  5. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now


Step 2: Choose Boot Device​


  1. On the blue screen, select Use a device
  2. Select USB Device or the name of your USB drive
  3. The PC will restart and boot from the USB
Click to expand...
I've done this many times now and the other ways and I still only get to the green LM logo
Rocketing-warp9 said:
If I may add, try to write to another disk/usb if you can. It could be the one you are using is going out.
If not, I don't know if this would work, but try the advanced startup settings through windows (It would take you to a recovery screen) And there should be an option to boot from USB. I don't know it it would work or not, but you can give it a shot if you'd like.

-Edit- half asleep me just realized this has already been stated. Wooops! Sorry about that!
The advice by APTI should work- if the medium is all good. Could be a faulty burn as well. Have noted that it can stop for a bit on some computers (On 22.2 on some older PCs). Maybe try waiting a while longer. Some take a bit to show the desktop.
Click to expand...
I've recreated the rufus usb many times and still get the same thing


One thing nobody is answering is: Is there another way without using usb?
 
I think Rufus maybe your issue - have you tried Ventoy

Ventoy

Ventoy is an open source tool to create bootable USB drive for ISO files. With ventoy, you don't need to format the disk again and again, you just need to copy the iso file to the USB drive and boot it.
www.ventoy.net www.ventoy.net
 
Why we ask this is because it is possible to have a failed boot installer- so you see nothing when booted up. Often happens if you wipe a drive without it formatting right.
First Try the options above.

The SHA256sum Is like a photocopy of a document.
It is like a record of what is written.
Both linux mint and the Txt you got should be the same number from the SUM file, as to compare a Photo-document to a original.
If the sum is different between the two, (ex, you download the ISO and it comes through wrong) It would be like if a photocopier just blotted ink on the copy - that is how you can tell something is wrong- and cause your non-boot issue.
Before going below.. try a fresh download from Linux Mint, wipe your USB, refresh it with mint on one of those programs mentioned by KGIII and Gatorsfan.
There might be a "safe boot" option that could keep it from loading as well (Please correct me if I'm am wrong).

There are ways of doing it without (ex- on a SD card rather than a USB) But these tend to get more complicated.
The one below is a bit... unorthodox .


I do have a.. well, radical idea if that does not work with the usb stick again-if you are alright with disassembling your machine.
A few years back I was trying to reinstall OS13 on my MacBP.
The Pro has dead ports on the side.
You can take a external HDD adapter and go install it on another computer on that target disk.
Then just throw it back in the machine in question.
I think if you have a NVMe, (Solid state Drive) it should be similar but you would probably need another adapter to plug into a hdd reader.
The ways above are tones easier and have a good chance of working. Sadly for alternate options, the one above would probably Void your warranty as you must take the thing apart.
But that does leave me for another Q that if answered could be of help.

(OP, you can ignore this part for now) Can you install the installer Directly onto disk, then install on a separate partition?

Or would this result in a jumble mess of partitions?
 
Last edited:
I stopped replying because I got very frustrated with the replies I'm getting. Everyone wants me to try the usb thing a different way when I've tried multiple sticks and multiple builds and it always halts at the same spot, when the logo shows. I've repeatedly explained this is where it stops so obviously the usb path isn't working and everyone is also completely ignoring my other question about installing from within windows. Least I could get would be a "no" but not even that. Please give me other options than the usb. When it halts there's no activity light blinking. It feels like nobody believes me. I don't want to give up on this laptop. Windows gave up on it but its still a good laptop for what I need a laptop to do and I can see life in it if I can only get mint installed and like I said before, I'm not interested in other distros
 
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