Cannot Make bootable Linux Mint USB Flash Drive

James Holmes

James Holmes

Member
This is on an older HP server with lots of memory running a well-maintained copy of Win 10.

1. Save a fresh download of linuxmint-21.3cinnamon-64bit.iso from the Linux site.
2. There is a copy of Easy USB Creator lite already in the folder.
3. There is a formatted 16 GB flash drive inserted into a USB port.
4. Start "Easy" USB Creator; select the Mint .iso file.
5. Select the flash drive as destination and run.

Error Message; "Checksum Failure! The ISO file is either corrupted or has not been downloaded completely. Please re-download before trying again."

I have done this with the first 5 download links for Linux Mint Cinnamon at the Linux site.
This version of windows runs a colored progress bar across the face of the tab that is downloading, and it disappears when the DL completes, so I am sure the file is completely down.
 
Creating a bootable Linux Mint USB flash drive can sometimes be tricky, but it's usually straightforward with the right tools and steps. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Download Linux Mint ISO​

  1. Download the ISO: Go to the Linux Mint website and download the ISO file of the version you want to install.

Step 2: Choose the Right Tool​

Depending on your operating system, you'll need a specific tool to create a bootable USB:
  • Windows: Use Rufus
  • macOS: Use Etcher
  • Linux: Use the dd command or a tool like UNetbootin

Step 3: Prepare the USB Flash Drive​

  1. Backup Data: Ensure you backup any important data on the USB drive, as this process will erase all contents.

Step 4: Create the Bootable USB​

Using Rufus (Windows)​

  1. Download and Run Rufus: Download Rufus from here and run it.
  2. Insert USB Drive: Plug in your USB drive.
  3. Select ISO File: In Rufus, select your USB drive under "Device" and click on "SELECT" to choose the Linux Mint ISO file.
  4. Partition Scheme: Choose "MBR" or "GPT" depending on your system. For most modern PCs, "GPT" is recommended.
  5. File System: Leave it as "FAT32".
  6. Start: Click "START" and wait for the process to complete.

Using Etcher (macOS)​

  1. Download and Install Etcher: Download Etcher from here and install it.
  2. Open Etcher: Launch Etcher.
  3. Select Image: Click "Flash from file" and select the Linux Mint ISO file.
  4. Select Drive: Click "Select target" and choose your USB drive.
  5. Flash: Click "Flash!" and wait for the process to complete.

Using dd (Linux)​

  1. Open Terminal: Open a terminal window.
  2. Find USB Drive: Use the command lsblk to find your USB drive's identifier (e.g., /dev/sdX where X is the letter assigned to the USB).
  3. Create Bootable USB: Run the following command, replacing /path/to/linuxmint.iso with the actual path to the ISO file and /dev/sdX with your USB drive identifier:
    bash
    Copy code
    sudo dd if=/path/to/linuxmint.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress oflag=sync
  4. Wait: This process may take some time. Wait until it completes.

Troubleshooting Tips​

  • Check USB Drive: Ensure the USB drive is not corrupted or damaged.
  • Correct ISO File: Verify the integrity of the downloaded ISO file (many websites provide checksums).
  • BIOS/UEFI Settings: Make sure your computer's BIOS/UEFI is set to boot from USB. You may need to disable secure boot.
Following these steps should help you successfully create a bootable Linux Mint USB flash drive. If you encounter any specific errors, please provide details, and I can help troubleshoot further.
 
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