Linux Mac Windows Creating Bootable Images On Usb Keys Sd Cards The Easy Way Repair Guide

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

                          10 minutes

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Linux - Mac - Windows creating bootable images on USB keys - SD cards the easy way.
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Introduction

Step 1

              Grab the Etcher binary or installer from the Etcher download website.

Here… Etcher website

Here… Etcher website

1024

Step 2

              Optional step (only required if your using a linux system).

At a shell prompt typically on debian systems: sudo apt-get install fuse

At a shell prompt typically on debian systems: sudo apt-get install fuse

Step 3

              Put your USB stick or SD card device in your computer port/slot

it will be completely cleared and rewritten with the iso image contents of course so if you have anything you want to keep on it you should have already saved that data elsewhere.

it will be completely cleared and rewritten with the iso image contents of course so if you have anything you want to keep on it you should have already saved that data elsewhere.

Step 4

              Install the downloaded Etcher files after extracting the zip file.

If you are using the unpackaged linux version you should place these files someplace on your path.
There are several various linux distro specific packaged versions which you may want to investigate. See notes at bottom of guide.
Mac and Windows have clickable install packages.
You can also use this software on a chromebook if you have installed crouton/linux and follow the steps needed for a linux install in the crouton chroot of your choice. If you have experience with the xiwi functionality you can make it almost seamless with the chromebook user interface!

If you are using the unpackaged linux version you should place these files someplace on your path.

There are several various linux distro specific packaged versions which you may want to investigate. See notes at bottom of guide.

Mac and Windows have clickable install packages.

You can also use this software on a chromebook if you have installed crouton/linux and follow the steps needed for a linux install in the crouton chroot of your choice. If you have experience with the xiwi functionality you can make it almost seamless with the chromebook user interface!

Step 5

              Point the Etcher software at any bootable *.iso image

Click blue button in picture for selection dialog.

Click blue button in picture for selection dialog.

Step 6

              Select the device to be flashed

If you only have a single such device connected you can skip to next step.
If you have multiple devices connected the red button pictured will open a dialog that allows you to select the device you want to create the bootable iso to.

If you only have a single such device connected you can skip to next step.

If you have multiple devices connected the red button pictured will open a dialog that allows you to select the device you want to create the bootable iso to.

Step 7

              Click "flash" button to proceed.

Your device will be overwritten with the now bootable USB image. See blue button in picture.
Or just close the window with “X” if you change your mind.

Your device will be overwritten with the now bootable USB image. See blue button in picture.

Or just close the window with “X” if you change your mind.

Step 8

              That is all there is to it!

When the image is ready you are presented option dialog to allow you to create multiple copies if desired.
Or you can just close with ‘X’ if you only need a single device create.

When the image is ready you are presented option dialog to allow you to create multiple copies if desired.

Or you can just close with ‘X’ if you only need a single device create.

My Advice

You can also go the tuxboot/rufus route (google it) but honestly why would you want to. There is an ifixit guide for using the rufus route also here: USB Installation Media Creation

PS: There are linux distro specific packaged installation files and instructions for use of each here:

https://github.com/resin-io/etcher

Looks towards the bottom of the page under the “Installers” heading.

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