So, I have a netbook which doesn't have a cd drive, so i am relegated to making a bootable usb version of ubuntu.



I've been following the instructions -> http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-install-ubuntu-linux-from-usb-stick.html


And I am up to step 4, But I don't know how to make the stick bootable, nor do I know where the fdisk program is.



If you need any more details, I will be happy to provide them.



p.s. If you know an easier way to do this, That would be AWESOME.

From the Article:

DAMN IT ALL TO HELL!!!!

HAha... sorry, I wasn't very helpful.  Do you have another machine with a CD-drive handy?  You could use the Live-CD on it to boot to Ubuntu live, mount the usb and then use fdisk (from the live, running Live-CD) to setup the usb key to be bootable properly.  Then, use that usb key on the netbook.

Hmmmm....... Interesting......



I'll have to try that.



But, it must wait till tomorrow because I have no blank CDs.



Thanks for the idea!!

You should be able to choose your boot source by tapping one of the function keys while BIOS is loading.  Mine is F12.

Can't you just go into your BIOS settings when the puter powers on?  You can change your boot sequence (priority of sources).  Lots of BIOS have delete as the button to load.  So just keep clicking delete after booting/rebooting and the BIOS should load up.  Then make your external drive the top on the boot sequence list.

Why even use fdisk?  You want to partition?  Make your swap, boot, root, home files or whatever?  It's all in the GUI after you boot, so you shouldn't have to use the command prompt.

The Ubuntu forum is fairly helpful, I've wandered around there a bit.

You have to make the USB drive bootable in a DOS command window. Do this by running CMD form the start>run menu option. Ensure that you are signed into the administrator account while performing this operation.

ETA: In your CMD window you should be starting with a blank "C:\" prompt or maybe "C:\windows\system32". You must navigate to the folder where you have downloaded the file (I believe it is the syslinux file you are after, right?" and select it. This can be done by using a command sequence similar to the one I will type below: (the "cd" is the dos command for "change directories"

cd H

cd H:\ubuntu

run syslinux.exe

NOTE THAT H:\ MAY NOT BE THE DRIVE DESIGNATION FOR YOUR REMOVABLE USB DRIVE.

So for this to work the file containing ubuntu has to be on your usb drive. This is failproof, and will work. If it doesn't I will personally remote desktop your machine

DISENGAGE! DISENGAGE! YOU WILL NOT TOUCH MY DESKTOP! YOU WILL NOT TOUCH MY DESKTOP!



*Blades at 45 degrees*