Trouble booting from USB 3.0 Device

[Gutta Perka]

OK!

Thanks for your care.

Computer Dell Inspiron 630m - laptop with Win XP on ATA slow 80 gig disk. Outdated that is!

I have for my own learning on USB2 Ubuntu on the Iomega disk (USB2 very slow) while I cannot boot it on nec USB3 expresscard. ( Tested: the Iomega 1 TB is 3-4 times faster than the 80 gig built in ATA 80 gig disk.)

While the partitions ( 1 main and a swap one) for ubuntu are formated with xt3 windows will not see them.) But I'm locked in to USB2 for running , working with Ubuntu.

So for running another linux to make changes in I must either make new partition on the Iomega on the USB2 port OR if it is possible boot an USB2 stick with Debian and the files/progs you directed me. (Debian I hope is not too "faar" from Ubuntu?

Questions: Are there Debian USB under 8 gig to be run from an USB stick and doing the preparations you directed me to? Then I could boot USB3 Iomega from there? Obvious if so I would like that solution - to start the Iomega on USB3 Debian on 8 gig memorystick. Perhaps booting from USB2 Debian also could be "automated".

This qustions are just the begining - the hardware.
The Ubunto and Debian addons is another question and I prosume a long learning curve in that area.

There are computers everywhere!
With the little Iomega and a USB-stick I could I could boot Ubuntu everyware - not scaring others from destroying there windows XP/7.
That is fi my scills and time can get me there.


Again thanks!



I

[kiyop]

Thanks for your giving me much information on your problem.

There are many possible ways to boot Ubuntu on Iomega via USB 3.0 expresscard.

I write one way without using debian below. If you prefer another way, tell me so.

Connect your Ubuntu USB3.0 media (Iomega?) to USB2.0 port without connecting anything to USB 3.0 port (nec USB3 expresscard) and boot Ubuntu form Iomega. Then execute in terminal

lsmod|sort| tee module1

Then connect USB stick to nec USB3.0 expresscard and execute

lsmod |sort|tee module2
diff -B module1 module2|grep \>|sed -e "s/^> //"

Confirm xhci or such module name(s) is/are shown.
If nothing shown, please post the result of

lsmod

If something (modules for USB3.0 port) are shown, go ahead.

gksu gedit /etc/modules

and add the modules shown and save.

gksu gedit /etc/initramfs-tools/modules

and add the modules shown and save.

Then

sudo update-initramfs -u
sudo update-grub

You should know the UUID of the Ubuntu / partition of your USB3.0HDD (Iomega)

sudo blkid $(mount|grep " / "|cut -d " " -f1)

The UUID is shown after
UUID=
Neglect double quotation.

Mount the windows xp system partition and copy the current kernel and its initrams files into the root directory of the windows xp system partition.
The version of the current kernel is shown by

uname -r

and the current kernel is like,
/boot/vmlinuz-...
The initramfs is like,
/boot/initrd.img-...

Download
http://sourceforge.net/projects/grub...oad?_test=goal
and decompress it by commands like

unzip [path]/grub4dos-0.4.4.zip

Copy the following files in the decompressed directory.
grldr
grub.exe
menu.lst

Execute:

sudo sync

And reboot and boot windows xp.

Add the following line to c:\boot.ini
c:\grldr="grub4dos"

Add the following lines to c:\menu.lst
title ubuntu on Iomega
kernel /vmlinuz-... root=UUID=#### ro
initrd /initrd.img-...

The above "..." should be replaced with the version of the current kernel.
The above "####" should be replaced with the UUID of the ubuntu / partition.

Save c:\boot.ini and c:\menu.lst.

Shutdown and connect USB3.0HDD (Iomega) to nec USB3.0 card.

Boot and press F8 or Ctrl key to display the windows boot list menu.
Select
grub4dos

and then with arrow-down key, select
ubuntu on Iomega

God bless you!

=============
Below is my reply to your question.

So for running another linux to make changes in I must either make new partition on the Iomega on the USB2 port OR if it is possible boot an USB2 stick with Debian and the files/progs you directed me. (Debian I hope is not too "faar" from Ubuntu?

You can boot Debian liveUSB from USB2 stick.
Commands available in Debian is similar to those available in Ubuntu.

Questions: Are there Debian USB under 8 gig to be run from an USB stick and doing the preparations you directed me to?

Yes.
http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/...de-desktop.iso
Download the above and dd to USB2 stick. That is...

sudo parted -l

to confirm the device file name (such as /dev/sdb) of your USB2 stick.

sudo dd if=[path]/debian-live-6.0.2-i386-lxde-desktop.iso of=/dev/sdb

You should change the above "sdb" to correct one for USB2 stick. If you write wrong one, your windows xp or your ubuntu may be broken totally.

Then I could boot USB3 Iomega from there?

Yes, if you incorporate correct modules for USB3.0 port into the initramfs of Ubuntu on Iomega and copy the Ubuntu kernel and the initramfs in a partition where your BIOS can access and set up linux kernel loader correctly.

Again I want to ask you the following:

Does BIOS on your computer recognize your Iomega ego (USB-HDD?) on the USB 3 port as a bootable media?
You can search on BIOS configuration (Boot order, and HDD configuration).

[Gutta Perka]

I deeply thanks you!
I just went by the laptop and did see your new contribution.

You asked:
Originally Posted by kiyop
Does BIOS on your computer recognize your Iomega ego (USB-HDD?) on the USB 3 port as a bootable media?
You can search on BIOS configuration (Boot order, and HDD configuration).


The answer is a strong NO!

As I mensioned earlier - the computer is an "old" laptop: A dell inspiron 630m intruduced
around 2005 - but has a good processor and 1.5 gig memory. Primitive perhaps but still doing fine. The real shortcoming is the small and slow ATA drive (75 Gig). That was to be cured by the fast usb3 port and the fast usb 3 Iomega and the ability to run other OS-es.

As said also earlier: Neither have I the time nor the scills

However - now you have tagged me!
Time is to be streched and scills are to be bettered!

[Gutta Perka]

By the way!

Beeing in the grossary shop (!!) I bought an extra 7 dollar 8 gig USB stick.
Then I did put a "Bootable Live Debian on it" (A sort of CD Live Debian)
In that OS I can make real intime changes and save them - which I cannot on a CD.

Intresting to see is that Debian can see the Iomega (give me a folderlook) - but can,t use it. But I'm totaly unable to mount it or use the Iomaga in any way.

Anyhow - LiveDebian sees something.
That means the drivers are there but they are to primitive!

OK?

[kiyop]

As said also earlier: Neither have I the time nor the scills

I could not understand the meaning of the word "scills".
I have gotten it. "skills". I see.

Intresting to see is that Debian can see the Iomega (give me a folderlook) - but can,t use it. But I'm totaly unable to mount it or use the Iomaga in any way.

Anyhow - LiveDebian sees something.
That means the drivers are there but they are to primitive!

OK?

You could not mount it....
What is shown if you execute the following in the terminal in Live Debian just after inserting the Iomega into the USB3.0 port?

dmesg|tail
mount
sudo su
blkid
fdisk -lu
lsmod

You can copy the result and post it in this forum by LiveDebian, do not you?

[Gutta Perka]

Yep!

I cant write everything coming out of that.
Trying to take what I think is important:

Notes and from memory.

hdmesd|tail
[sdb]ATTACHED scsi generic sg2 type 0
........15974744 512-byte logicalblock 8.17GB/........
........writeprotect is of
........cashe write through
........Attached scsiremovable disk
mount
.......rootfs on /type rootfs lrw
.......noneon/proc typeproc (rw, realtime)
.......none on /type sysfs (rw, realtime)
.......tmpfs on /dev type sysfs (rw, realtime)
....... on /dev/pts typedevpts
sudo su
......./bin/sh: not found
blkid
.......dev/sda1:"EE0C69080C6......" Type NTFS
.......dev/sdb1:sec_TYPE="msdos" Label "Debian Live uuid="E88B-9321" Type="vfat"
fdisk -lu
/bin/sh: not found
lsmod
#......................
#Much Much - your famous uhci_hcd
#................... here som....
......much of uhci_hcd
more hrdwar referenses drivers
......usbcore usbhid
......usb_storage
......uhci_hcd
......ehci_hcd
......ahci

Missed a lot there!!!!

But it might be enought for you?

[kiyop]

I cant write everything coming out of that.
Trying to take what I think is important:

...

Notes and from memory.

Could you view this page on debian in USB flash?
As I wrote:

You can copy the result and post it in this forum by LiveDebian, do not you?

I can drug the result shown on terminal and right-click to copy the result and then I can open this forum and paste the result by right-click and selecting "paste" and post the result.
You need not write down nor memorize.

hdmesd|tail

Huh?
I did not suggested you to execute "hdmesd".

dmesg|tail

But,...

[sdb]ATTACHED scsi generic sg2 type 0
........15974744 512-byte logicalblock 8.17GB/........
........writeprotect is of
........cashe write through
........Attached scsiremovable disk

I hope you certainly executed "dmesg|tail". Then, USB 3.0 HDD (Iomega) is not accessed.

mount
.......rootfs on /type rootfs lrw
.......noneon/proc typeproc (rw, realtime)
.......none on /type sysfs (rw, realtime)
.......tmpfs on /dev type sysfs (rw, realtime)
....... on /dev/pts typedevpts

Did you really inserted the Iomega on USB 3.0 port and then executed "mount" on debian?

sudo su
......./bin/sh: not found

Did you really downloaded http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/...de-desktop.iso , which I recommended, and executed "dd" to write to your USB 8.17GB flash?

http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/...de-desktop.iso
Download the above and dd to USB2 stick. That is...

sudo parted -l

to confirm the device file name (such as /dev/sdb) of your USB2 stick.

sudo dd if=[path]/debian-live-6.0.2-i386-lxde-desktop.iso of=/dev/sdb

You should change the above "sdb" to correct one for USB2 stick. If you write wrong one, your windows xp or your ubuntu may be broken totally.

I have one USB flash which I dd'ed http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/...de-desktop.iso .
I booted with the USB flash and executed "sudo su" in "LXterminal" or "Root Terminal".
In both terminals, it did not reply "/bin/sh: not found" but replied "/home/user#" which means I got root privilege.
I think you did what I did not suggest.

blkid
.......dev/sda1:"EE0C69080C6......" Type NTFS
.......dev/sdb1:sec_TYPE="msdos" Label "Debian Live uuid="E88B-9321" Type="vfat"

Huh.....
In my case, "blkid" gives
/dev/sdc1: LABEL="Debian squeeze 20110828-00:37" TYPE="iso9660"
/dev/loop0: TYPE="squashfs"

Again I think you did what I did not suggest.

fdisk -lu
/bin/sh: not found

Again I think you did what I did not suggest.

I want to know the detail of the situation.

Intresting to see is that Debian can see the Iomega (give me a folderlook) - but can,t use it. But I'm totaly unable to mount it or use the Iomaga in any way.

If you cannot understand how to do what I suggested, please let me know.

[Gutta Perka]

Sorry -Sorry.
I could not keep up with you.

What I did was what you asked me to do in another earlier post.

The post you are referring to - I have printed it that out.
To learn - I study all the commands in the manual for a bit
of better understanding you - trying to better my sKills.
See - I spelled Skills right here - that is a sign of better skill being here.

There is a certain differens using Open Word in Ubuntu vs rebulding the OS
and changing devices in the kernel with unsupported hardware devices/drivers.
But ... I'm working on it.

So now I ask you - please be patient.
I love you helping me to another level.

So what do you say about this testrig.

(Iomega contains importent backups - in a way
now, I should have one more Iomega to test on!)

1-Windows XP left on the laptop HD.
2-Debian Live booted on USB2 port
3-Hirens boot usb on USB3 ( http://www.hiren.info/ )

Then go throu your exellent three page instructions.

If it works with that simple setup it should with the Iomega. (?)

I see I must learn how to keep my results first.

How do I easely start a logfile of of an whole terminal session.

In the sixties and seventies (Yes I was a pioneer then programming FORTRAN
but that is another story) 64 kb ram in total for OS, progs and multitasking.
There I recall was a "command xy > /dev/lib/file" to save
the result and not using the the teleprinter used by others (Piping????).

For me it like beeing dead for fourty-fifty years beeing away from UNIX
on the computer center at Lund Technical University.
In a way, this Linuxing, is a way to recall those days again.
Lots of dejavus here now!

Again sorry for not keeping up with you. Yes I have a job as well.

I love you helping me!

But give me time to keep up with you.
I'm tagged now and wants to understand at least partsof what I'm doing.

I'm sure it would be a waste of time me just being a sort of zomby typing
down curious UNIX letters and hitting carriage return.
It also would be an offens to me having a MsC - Engineering.


I hope for and long for your FINE guidens!
Don't give up.

Regards
Gutta

[kiyop]

What I did was what you asked me to do in another earlier post.

The post you are referring to - I have printed it that out.
To learn - I study all the commands in the manual for a bit
of better understanding you - trying to better my sKills.
See - I spelled Skills right here - that is a sign of better skill being here.

...

So now I ask you - please be patient.
I love you helping me to another level.

OK! Excuse my hurrying you.

(Iomega contains importent backups - in a way
now, I should have one more Iomega to test on!)

1-Windows XP left on the laptop HD.
2-Debian Live booted on USB2 port
3-Hirens boot usb on USB3 ( http://www.hiren.info/ )

You need not buy a new one.
You need not change your current Iomega so much.
Just add necessary modules into Ubuntu initramfs.
You will not lose your data.

How do I easely start a logfile of of an whole terminal session.

As you wrote, redirection, for example, ">" is useful.
To save the standard error also with the standard output into a file (out.txt),

COMMAND > out.txt 2>&1

Also, "tee" is useful. "tee" writes the output into both of the standard output and a file.

COMMAND | tee out.txt

But, if you use gnome-terminal, LXTerminal or so, it is easier to drug what you want to copy and right-click and select "Copy" and paste by right-click and selecting "paste", as I wrote.

If you use Xterm, you can drug what you want to copy and middle-click where you want to paste it.

Do not you use GUI?
Do you use tty1-6?

***OFF TOPIC***
This topic gradually changes to "How to use terminal - basic skill" rather than how to enable booting from USB 3.0

[Gutta Perka]

You wrote:
This topic gradually changes to "How to use terminal - basic skill" rather than how to enable booting from USB 3.0

That one hit!
I feel ashamed!! Sorry!

But I don't want to lose you!

OK - better me being frank and display myself as is.

I asure you - I'm a fast learner.
The rest of the evening and part of the night
will be on Terminaldrilling.
I listened to you - so there will be lots of trial and error work for me.
Your hints are exelent!

Last time using UNIX there was no VGA just Terminals, just loadely teletypers with notched paper and of cause the thousends of punched card.

Just one punch wrong and you manualy sat there wondering what punchhole that was wrong. Tuff low level jobb. You could wait for hours to be permitted to use the
punched card reader. And that computercenter (IBM) was one of the modern ones in Europe.

But of cause... I cannot force you to help me, me being at that level.

I'm just very happy as long it lasts!
I admire your patience!

Now to the manpages!

By the way:
Here is my Technical University where I was trained some 40 years ago:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lund_University

With respect and admiration
Gutta Perka