On our site there are many instructions, how to make from a regular flash drive boot (for example, to install Windows). But what if you need to return the flash drive for the previous condition? We will try to answer this question today.
The first thing to be noted - banal formatting will not be enough. The fact is that during the transformation of the flash drive into the bootable, a special service file is written to the inaccessible to the user, which cannot be erased by conventional methods. This file Makes the system to recognize the actual volume of the flash drive, but a manifold system: for example, only 4 GB ( image of Windows. 7) from, let's say, 16 GB (actual capacity). As a consequence, only these 4 gigabytes can be formatted, which, of course, does not fit.
There are several solutions for this task. The first is to use a specialized software designed to work with the storage markup. Second - use the built-in windows tools. Each option is good in its own way, so let's consider them.
Note! Each of the following methods involves formatting a flash drive, which will cause the removal of all data available on it!
Method 1: HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool
Despite its cumbersome, this method is good almost one hundred percent guarantee of a positive result in most cases.
The methods described above are most convenient for end user. If you are known alternatives - please, share them in the comments.
SD cards play a special role in Linux users. Yes, they serve to store data. Also this is one of the most simple ways Expand the amount of memory on leptop. In most cases, these small portable memory squares are the fact that you will need first to turn the devices on Windows or Mac OS in Linux Box.
Once SD cards decide so many problems, it will not be superfluous to know how to manage. Errors happen and they are capable of leading data loss. Such an outcome is unlikely to like someone.
There are many ways to configure SD both using the command line and using graphic applications. This is how it is done.
What is the partition manager?
The section is part of the digital storage space. They may have all your hard drive, but it does not always happen. In an alternative download version, you will have one section dedicated to some Linux distribution, and the other will be highlighted under Windows. Some use partitions to separate OS from personal files. Often there is still a separate section under SWAP.
Section Manager is a sections management tool (not surprising). It is necessary to use it for formatting SD cards, creating new sections or duplicates.
Usually, the default SD cards are only one partition, but if desired, one 32 gigabyte card can always be divided into two sections of 16 gigabytes.
Here you have a card on 2 gigabytes in my computer.
Usually, the memory cards are assigned simple type / dev / sda, / dev / sdb names, or / dev / sdc. But it happens not always. In the option above, the name \u003d\u003d / dev / mmcblk0p1 \u003d\u003d went much longer. If I used the command line, about which I will talk a little later, I would prescribe this location.
Another way to find out the way is to enter it in the terminal:
You will receive a long list, so this method is recommended to those who already understand what he is looking for. Even in this case, I prefer to run the previously preset partition manager.
Some desktop environments and distributions are supplied with their own partition dispatchers. GNOME DISKS (picture above) is integrated with GNOME 3.x Desktop, while KDE users will rather give preference to KDE Partition Manager. Until now, in many distributions all these funds are found, in fact, they make the same thing.
If you are looking for separate program, without having to additionally install anything that works almost on all Linux distributions, then pay attention to dD. This command line means makes the process of creating backup SD cards and image recording afflicted. But in working with it, you have to be careful, since one wrong team is able to completely erase everything from your hard disk.
Formatting SD cards
Section editors, in fact, give you the opportunity to choose a section and format it into a new one. If you want to give or just get rid of the card, that is, the ability to completely erase the data. It will take quite a lot of time, so if it is only necessary to get rid of unnecessary data or create a bootable card with Linux, then it will be logical to choose a quick option.
In the process you have to choose the type of section. Fat format works with many operating systems. It is in this format that most SD cards begins its existence. It is possible that you need it.
In order to erase all data from the card using the command line, we resort to help dD. The team below will erase all data from the card and replace it with zeros. Information erased in this way, restore. But most will be not under power.
DD if \u003d / dev / zero of \u003d / dev / sdc
IN dD. If denotes the data source. Of indicates the direction. IN this case We copy zeros in / dev / sdc. Replace this path to the one that your computer is attributed to the map.
After launching the command, you may need to create a new section. Perhaps even two.
Create a separate section
Creating a separate partition based on you already used is a risky choice that is capable of leading data loss. Although it is possible to try to do with Gparted Live SD.. So that everything passed is not so painful, pre-save all the data. Erase the current section by clicking on "-" or select options from the menu. Then click on "+" Or select the option of creating a new section.
Instead of using the available space, select your volume. In the figure below, I will produce space for two sections of the same size.
So you can create a lot of sections.
If you want to do it through the command line, you can switch to fDISK. And enjoy magic.
Creating a backup SD card
The most obvious way to create backup SD cards - it is open file manager and copy all data to the computer. I have always grabbed it. But this option is obvious not the best, especially if you want to get identical backup data or are going to keep several and more backups at once.
In this case, you need to create a section of the section.
In order to do this in DD, open the terminal and enter what is indicated below.
DD if \u003d / dev / sdc of \u003d sdcard.img
This command creates a backup of everything that is on your card in the file.img in the home directory, which will allow you to completely restore all the data. To create a backup on a hard disk, you will need as much space as available on the SD card, that is, if you have a 32 gigabyte card, then 32 free gigabytes on your hard disk will need. The process can take a long time. At some point you will even seem that DD has suspended work. Be patient.
Restoring SD card
As soon as you are ready to restore the data on the map, simply change the directory in DD.
DD if \u003d sdcard.img of \u003d / dev / sdc
In sections editor, use the option to restore the image. Next will appear the image selection window for the previously created by you to record on the SD card.
Create a boot SD card
To start Linux with an SD card using DD To start, download the distribution image that you are going to install (or test). Then insert the path to this file as an IF parameter, as was done when data recovery. Example:
DD if \u003d / home / user / downloads / parabola-2015.11.11-dual.iso of \u003d / dev / sdc
This is the last of the DD commands, which I will describe here. Just know that DD is so powerful that your hard disk is able to clone completely, even if you operate the terabytes of memory. As soon as you are ready for something more abruptly, you can go to the DD command list with wikipedia.org. But, again, be careful! With such things it is better not to hurry.
If you do not want to mess around with the command line, look in the package manager of your distribution to the creation Live USB Stick. Ubuntu has SATRTUP DISK CREATOR. Fedora operates Live USB Creator. These and other distributions also work with when working with one of these funds, you will need to select an image for installation (or make the application download distributes directly on the go) and an SD card as a target device.
SD cards: flexible and compact
SD cards have many advantages over flash drives. They are thinner, it is easier, easier to transfer oakhaps ... To all, they are connected so that they are not visible later.
If you like the flash drive, it does not matter. Tools for working with maps are usually suitable or for flash drives.
What would you advise people who want to know how to manage their SD cards? Have you ever created several sections on the same card? Do you have a boot card? Share your experience in the comments!
I have a TOSHIBA portege M205 tablet. HDD Died, so I took another one and stuck there, with the intention to reinstall Windows XP Tablet. However, this particular computer is not equipped with optical drive. Instead, he has a USB CDRW / DVD drive. There is only one or two models of TOSHIBA USB USB drives, which are bootable, and M205 is not loaded with USB.
Needless to say, my CD-drive Toshiba died, and I can't boot from it.
Another option is to download from the SD card. I would like to boot on Wednesday with uSB driversSo that I can connect another USB USB drive and install Windows to your tablet. I tried to use WinToflash, but I could not make it work on an SD card.
Does anyone know how to make a bootable SD card with USB drivers?
I would like to add that M205 can only recognize up to 32 or 64 MB of SD cards, so I can't install the installation media on an SD card.
One Solution Collect Form Web for "Creating a boot SD card"
How to create booting Windows SD card or flash drive
Step 1. Separate your SD card
Start\u003e Cmd.
Diskpart.
And then select Disk 2 based on your disk number for an SD card
After selecting Clean.
Create the main partition section
Select Section 1.
Active
This step will take some time, so be patient
Format FS \u003d FAT32
Submit letter \u003d Y
Output
Step 2. Copy ISO
Mount the ISO using MagicDisc or insert Windows DVD / CD
The following command copies boot diskhere E: is the source disk if you are the Windows media is y: it's your SD card
Xcopy E: * Y: \\ / S / E / F
Sudden refusal windows startup A business trip will not be a problem if you take a USB flash drive with os. It, unlike the installation DVD, occupies very little space in a bag or case for a laptop.
Which flash drive is best suited for writing windows
The Windows installation flash drive will help per hour to bring the system into a working look at its sudden stoke. Requirements for the drive are as follows:
- the amount of memory is at least 4 GB (the image itself takes from 3 GB, but the flash drives of the "ugly" dimensions are not produced, this is not a hard disk);
- the flash drive must maintain uSB speed 2.0 (USB 1.2 Application Delay Recording Process copies of Windows up to several hours).
Preparation of a flash drive to writing a Windows image
Make the following:
Formatting in rapid mode takes up to 15 seconds. After the completion of the procedure, you can start writing a Windows image. Format the flash drive can also be a third-party program or means " Command line».
Setting up loading from a flash drive in the UEFI interface
Before you give tips on setting up the UEFI to load a computer from a flash drive, it is worthwhile to tell about this program. The user of the newest PC will in any case collide with it at the first attempt to reinstall Windows.
Than UEFI differs from BIOS
UEFI is an analogue of a new generation BIOS, but with mouse support. Unlike BIOS, where control is carried out only from the keyboard, you can control the UEFI and the mouse as in the application Magic Partition.working with sections hard disk. UEFI has a more modern graphic shell, remotely resembling Android first versions. So, ASUS promotes its modification aSUS programs EFI, which looks impressive than BIOS.
Assigning UEFI - low-level interaction of operating systems with iron itself, as in BIOS. Without the settings of this program, "sewn" in the PC motherboard or in a laptop / tablet, your computer device will not start.
The UEFI firmware is equipped with many tablets with Windows / Android, thanks to which it is possible to either replace Android on Windows and vice versa, or use both OS on the same gadget.
How to put in UEFI loading PC from a flash drive
This is achieved in two ways: simple dragging using media pointer in UEFI and using advanced settings.
Dragging disks in UEFI
Make the following:
Upon exit, the UEFI program will request confirmation of the preservation of its settings if something has changed.
Through the UEFI advanced settings submenu
Make the following:
Video: two ways to load a PC using a flash drive
Record installation flash drive Windows 10 standard Windows tools
The developers went to meet the wishes of users and embedded in Windows 10 Wizard of the Installation Flashpecks - Media Creation Tool. Prior to that, it was possible to use only third-party applications, such as Ultraiso or WinsetupFromusB, as well as the "command line". However, all programs created to solve this task continue to develop.
Using Windows Media Creation Tool application
Using the Media Creation Tool program, a Windows 10 image recording on a flash drive is greatly simplified. Make the following:
- Download from the site Microsoft Appendix Mct.
Download MEDIA CREATION TOOL - Run the Media Creation Tool application and select the Windows 10 installation copy entry on the USB flash drive.
Select Create installation media - Select Installation Language, Windows 10 version and Bitness of your PC.
Select PC architecture, installation program language and version of Windows 10 - Select the type of media (only flash drive or advanced choice with the ability to record an image on a DVD). When you select a second option, you will have the ability to specify when recording it is a flash drive or memory card.
DVD is invited to create the one who has a drive and clean DVD-R discs - Determine the USB flash drive to write Windows 10, if there are several of them.
From the drive that you select, all data will be deleted. - The installation media creation wizard will switch to the image of Windows 10 from the Microsoft website. Wait for the end of downloading an ISO image. For quick download, you need as soon as possible Internet access, otherwise the download will take up to several days, because the image itself weighs at least 3 GB.
Do not disconnect the Internet while the Windows image is booting to USB flash drive. - After downloading the ISO file with Windows 10, click the Next button to start writing the image.
Video: Write Windows 10 on a USB flash drive using Media Creation Tool
Record the installation flash drive tools "Command Line" Windows
This method is loved by professionals acting by entering commands. But the same thing is made by third-party applications discussed above - clearly and automatically.
Preparation of a flash drive using the "Windows command line"
Make the following:
Write Windows 10 on the USB flash drive through the "Command Line"
To record a copy of Windows for a USB flash drive, you need a Boot Sector Registration Tool (BootSect.exe program). Make the following:
Video: Windows 10 recording on a flash drive via diskpart
Recording Windows 10 flash drives using third-party applications
In "Combine" Media Creation Tool, it was not necessary to break the head over the UEFI: everything is cleaned, to record Windows 10, even a small child can write to the USB flash drive, and such a flash drive is determined by any gadget or PC, "stitched" under UEFI. IN third-party applications - RUFUS, ULTRAISO (Try to apply the latest versions) - UEFI support is included optionally.
Write Windows 10 on a USB flash drive using RUFUS
The RUFUS program will display the BIOS / UEFI configuration to the fore. She does not need to look in additional settings. Make the following:
Now you can go to UEFI, restarting your tablet or computer, and start installing Windows.
Video: Windows 10 recording on a USB flash drive in Rufus
Creating a Windows 7/8/10 multisage flash drive in Ultraiso
For "multi-system" windows flash drives Need appropriate images that occupy more than a dozen gigabytes. You are unlikely to write such a flash drive if it does not reach at least 16 GB.
As an example - recording using Ultraiso and build Windows 7/8/10 from some StartSoft. Make the following:
At the end of the record, you can use a USB flash drive for (re) windows installations. The installation program will propose to select any version of Windows, including 10.
Of course, you can create flash drives with one windows version. And not only in the Ultraiso program. Everything decides the image file (single or Windows multisboard, "packed" in an ISO file).
Video: Write Windows 7/8/10 on a USB flash drive using Ultraiso
Write Windows 10 on the USB flash drive using WinsetupFromusB
WinsetupFromusB is distributed through the WinsetupFromusB website. Make the following:
- Download, unpack and run the application. It does not require installation.
- Select a USB flash drive for windows copying. In the formatting settings, you can specify as file System FAT32 and NTFS.
Do not confuse the desired USB flash drive, if they are connected - Select the ISO file in which your copy is stored.
Select image windows systems, not the content of the disk in the image - Click the Windows image recording start button on the USB flash drive.
Pressing "GO" will start recording - The WinsetUpFromusB program, like any modern application, warns about cleaning the available data from the carrier. Confirm the request.
Flat cleaning is done for reliability - The second request for data deletion and partitions must also be confirmed.
Confirm the deletion of data and sections - Run the creation of a Windows image copy. Upon completion of the process, the program will notify the successful record of the Windows copy to the media.
Click "OK"
Before recording a copy of Windows, the WinsetupFromusB application will delete the sections (if they were) on the flash drive and recreate the only section that occupies all memory on it, then clears all the data by way quick formatting. This mandatory procedure is done for reliability - the Windows image takes at least 3 GB, and free space needs to be copied. If the flash drive is divided into partitions and filled, it can cause a failure when writing, and you will lose time. To do this, you need a pre-cleaning of the media memory.
After recording a copy of Windows, an unoccupied place can be used by creating a separate folder and downloading drivers and application programswhich you used (if there is enough space) without disturbing the structure windows Distribution on a flash drive. It is not recommended to store valuable files on it in a single instance - be sure to store their backup copies on other media.
Video: Windows 7/8/10 recording on a USB flash drive using WinsetUpFromUSB
Creating boot SD cards with Windows
Theoretically, the creation of bootable memory cards - (mini / micro) SD, MMC (MemoryStick) and many others are possible. Needed:
- availability of a USB card reader supporting all of the above types of memory cards;
- memory card, regardless of its type, should have a capacity of at least 4 GB;
- support all standard devices not lower than USB 2.0.
But not everything is so simple. If the laptop or tablet has a socket under an SD card or a built-in mini card reader, connected direct to the main / motherboard Devices or PCs, you can not always assign the download from the BIOS. And although in the menu boot devices There is a "Bootable Add-In Cards" item ("Built-in boot cards"), for example, in Award Bios.This is not a flash drive and not even a built-in cardder.
The download function from the embedded extension boards in Award BIOS cannot be used for windows downloads from flash drive Using an adapter with SD memory card as a flash drive
Most affordable option - USB-MICROSD adapter: Map microSd memory It will work as a flash drive. There are different adapters - from the simplest, miniature, calculated on one SD card, to universal, with several slots under the cards and other adapters of different formats.
With it, the memory card is not worse than the standard flash drive. In this case, the above-described methods for recording a conventional Windows flash drive work and with the SD memory cards, you need only support for USB 2.0 speed (up to 35 MB / s) from both the USB port and an adapter and the SD card itself. Use any of them.
Errors when writing a Windows installation flash drive
Below are the most critical errors with tips to eliminate them.
Flash drive is not read, not detected by the application
The most common error is the Media Creation Tool program (or other) does not see the flash drive. The reasons:
- the flash drive is damaged - the marriage of the manufacturer or any mechanical breakage;
- the flash drive has exhausted its resource - often formatted, depreciation of the chip-drive;
- frequent "hot" shutdown when recording / erasing the data, "killed" flash drive;
- the flash drive worked at extreme temperatures, often overheated, moisture condensed on it, which led to premature destruction of the materials from which he was made electronic media, his printed circuit board and contacts;
- the USB port is defective - there is not enough power, the controller failed uSB tires, the contacts are dismissed, the USB port socket;
- faulty additional device (USB-HUB or USB card reader when using an SD card instead of a flash drive), or its external power is not turned on if it is powered by a separate adapter;
- you recently served a computer and did not connect the USB port controller back to the PC or laptop motherboard if the port has a disconnected loop;
- failure of the microusb port of the tablet, if you use a tablet;
- unreliable connection - contaminated by the connector and / or USB plug;
- viruses obtained over the network or from other infected storage devices, damaged data and boot sector (boot record, table markup table);
- from active and long use on the flash drive, "broken" or weakened sectors were formed - "Remaping" or flash drive software;
- outdated version of the program with which you tried to record windows files On the USB flash drive.
For various reasons, the flash drive can fail The last item requires explanation. For example, in the first versions of WinsetupFromusB, Windows 10 is not supported - they were created when Windows 8.1 and 10 did not exist.
Error in the process of recording the installation flash drive
It happens that the Windows Distribution Recording on the USB flash drive is broken or is slow and bad. The reasons:
- the outdated version of the program did not warn that the flash drive is too "small" to write a copy of Windows to it;
- sudden disappearance of the power supply or disconnecting data with an uncomfortable flash drive media connection with USB port;
- error in the ISO image file - the ISO archive is damaged or has an invalid format, taken from the unverified source, is infected with the virus, the developer / collector made a mistake;
- uSB flash drive and / or port support outdated USB 1.2 speed, and the recording slowed down greatly, stretching to several hours;
- an unexpected wear of the flash drive - appears at the pre-formatting stage or in the process of recording "broken" sectors.
The last item involves checking the flash drive using Victoria or HDD Scan / Regenerator programs with subsequent software repair (Remap / Restore weakened and "broken" sectors). However, such a flash drive should be thrown - it is not suitable for such responsible tasks, as reinstalling operating systems, preloading OS (LiveUSB technology, often used to restore data from a single section C with the crash operating on it) and the launch of other utilities without and / or Bypassing a PC or Gadget OS.
Windows installation flash drive is troublesome, but it is worth it. Take advantage of tips from the article to create it, and then in case of problems with the loading system, you can easily cope with them.
Almost any user can make, regardless of his knowledge and experience. We just need to download iSO image And burn it on a CD or DVD. But if we want to make a loading flash drive, then the procedure has its own nuances, depending on operating system.
If you copy the ISO image to the USB media or files contained in it, I will not get anything good. We need to turn the flash drive in boot section. As a rule, this process removes all information from a USB drive or SD card.
How to create an installation media with Linux, having only Windows
For those who want to make a bootable USB flash drive with Ubuntu from under Windows, it is recommended to use Universal USB Installer. It allows you to work with almost any distribution Linux. Alternative option is UnetBootin.
to create a Linux bootable flash drive, download the image of the selected distribution in ISO format from the Internet. Run one of the programs mentioned above, specify the location of the file.iso file, and then select the USB drive to be done bootable. Everything else will be done without your direct participation.
Under Linux, you can use programs with similar features. For example, Ubuntu has Startup Disk Creator, which can create flash drives with this operating system. There is also an UnetBootin running on Linux. Therefore, you can use this utility.
And if we have an IMG file?
Distributions of some operating systems are distributed as an IMG file, not ISO. IMG is an image designed to record not on an optical disk, but directly on the USB flash drive.
To transfer it to a USB media or SD card, use the Win32 Disk Imager program. It is only necessary to download the IMG file, specify this toolwhere it is located, and choose the desired USB flash drive. All files on the media, when writing to it img, are destroyed. With the help of this tool, you can also create img images by taking a bootable flash drive or an SD card as a basis.
More experienced Linux users can use the DD command to write an img image on any removable carrier. Insert the removable media and execute the following command (in Ubuntu):
Sudo dd if \u003d / home / user / file.img of \u003d / dev / sdx bs \u003d 1m
Instead /home/user/file.img, specify the path to the IMG file, and instead / dev / sdx - the path to the SD card or flash drive. Be careful with the path to the removable media. If you write a disk with a system or data instead, then erase them completely.
Create a bootable USB flash drive from Windows 7 from the ISO file
You can use the Microsoft tool, which allows you to download the image of Windows 7 and create a boot disk or flash drive. To start this tool, you will need an installation ISO file with Windows 7. I hope you have license key To install this operating system?
Windows 8 or 8.1 boot flash drive
If you have a license key or 8.1, you can download the image of the operating system from the Microsoft website and immediately create an adjustment flash drive. First you need to download the appropriate tool from the page windows updates. Naturally, you will need a license key. Run the tool, enter the key, and select the creation of an installation USB media.
Please note that Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 have different keys. Therefore, if you want to create an installation flash drive of Windows 8.1, having a key for Windows 8, you will have to go through with the root paths. The easiest way to install Windows 8 first, and then update it for free to Windows 8.1. There is nothing complicated in this.
Record the installation USB flash drive 8 from the ISO file
If you already have an ISO file with Windows 8 or 8.1, then for you can use the tool that I mentioned in paragraph about Windows 7. This disappears the need for downloading a large file.
Just "Speed" to him ISO-image with Windows 8 or 8.1.
DOS.
If you need to download a computer with an old-kind DOS (for example, sometimes you can update the BIOS or use special low-level utilities), you can use RUFUS to create a bootable media.
This tool will record Freedos flash drive - free analog MS DOS with open source. It can run all programs created for DOS.
Mac OS X.
To create a bootable flash drive in Mac OS X first update the operating system to latest version. To do this, use App Store. on the computer. Next, run the "CreateInstallMedia" utility from Apple or party program Diskmaker X.
The removable carrier of the OS X image can be used to "clean" installation of the operating system to a computer or update other machines, without downloading files from the Internet.
We make a bootable USB flash drive on Mac
If you plan to install Windows to your Mac, use the Boot Camp to record the setting media. This program will guide you through the process of creating a flash drive flash drive to install Windows drivers for Apple computers and integrated Boot Camp utilities.
With such a USB media, you can install Windows on computers MAC.But do not try to use it with computers on which there is no screwdriver.
In this article, I mentioned only the most popular solutions. But there are other ways to create boot flash drive For a particular operating system.