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Attempting to set up Fedora 42 but encountering issues with USB boot.

Attempting to set up Fedora 42 but encountering issues with USB boot.

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mcbudder2004
Senior Member
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687
03-26-2023, 07:19 AM
#1
I'll just describe what occurred since it's simpler. Used Fedora Media Writer to write to a 128GB USB 3.2 drive. Set "USB Hard Disk" as the first boot option. PC restarts, appears black screen except for a single backwards L on blue background, then boots back into Windows. Tried again with Rufus, same outcome. Switched to a 16GB drive, used Rufus, set USB key as first boot—still no help. No mention of boot failure in any logs. Motherboard is an MSI B550M Pro with BIOS from March; default settings except OC Genie and fan curves.
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mcbudder2004
03-26-2023, 07:19 AM #1

I'll just describe what occurred since it's simpler. Used Fedora Media Writer to write to a 128GB USB 3.2 drive. Set "USB Hard Disk" as the first boot option. PC restarts, appears black screen except for a single backwards L on blue background, then boots back into Windows. Tried again with Rufus, same outcome. Switched to a 16GB drive, used Rufus, set USB key as first boot—still no help. No mention of boot failure in any logs. Motherboard is an MSI B550M Pro with BIOS from March; default settings except OC Genie and fan curves.

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jon371
Junior Member
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41
03-26-2023, 07:19 AM
#2
Make sure secure boot is turned off since not every Linux distribution supports it during startup.
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jon371
03-26-2023, 07:19 AM #2

Make sure secure boot is turned off since not every Linux distribution supports it during startup.

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TrollGamerGT
Junior Member
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15
03-26-2023, 07:19 AM
#3
The drive GPT is formatted and includes an ESP (EFI System Partition). The USB device shows up in the boot selection menu. It’s not just any generic USB disk—it matches a specific model like "SanDisk: Fedora". If it isn’t GPT+ESP formatted, your BIOS might not recognize it because it defaults to EFI-only boot, which is common on modern hardware. I’m uncertain about how the installer handles blank drives without partitioning; I usually create partitions beforehand. If no partition scheme exists, the installer should default to GPT. However, if the drive originally came with an MBR and that record is missing, it might still use MBR-based partitions. Generally, it’s a good idea to follow this guidance. Note that Fedora supports Secure Boot by default, so disabling it isn’t necessary.
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TrollGamerGT
03-26-2023, 07:19 AM #3

The drive GPT is formatted and includes an ESP (EFI System Partition). The USB device shows up in the boot selection menu. It’s not just any generic USB disk—it matches a specific model like "SanDisk: Fedora". If it isn’t GPT+ESP formatted, your BIOS might not recognize it because it defaults to EFI-only boot, which is common on modern hardware. I’m uncertain about how the installer handles blank drives without partitioning; I usually create partitions beforehand. If no partition scheme exists, the installer should default to GPT. However, if the drive originally came with an MBR and that record is missing, it might still use MBR-based partitions. Generally, it’s a good idea to follow this guidance. Note that Fedora supports Secure Boot by default, so disabling it isn’t necessary.

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xOscarGG
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55
03-26-2023, 07:19 AM
#4
It typically indicates a USB drive with a specific partition, such as GPT Partition. You're using GPT Partition in Rufus, but you're missing the option to switch it to ESP.
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xOscarGG
03-26-2023, 07:19 AM #4

It typically indicates a USB drive with a specific partition, such as GPT Partition. You're using GPT Partition in Rufus, but you're missing the option to switch it to ESP.

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jm0559
Junior Member
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27
03-26-2023, 07:19 AM
#5
Have you attempted starting from another drive? Or are you using all the USB drives together? Rufus sometimes uses dd mode for that second drive, but the first one doesn't work.
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jm0559
03-26-2023, 07:19 AM #5

Have you attempted starting from another drive? Or are you using all the USB drives together? Rufus sometimes uses dd mode for that second drive, but the first one doesn't work.

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ShantzPantz
Junior Member
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21
03-26-2023, 07:19 AM
#6
If you're comfortable with the formatting, consider installing Ventoy and simply paste the ISO file. I've relied on this method for years when installing OSes and have no intention of changing it.
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ShantzPantz
03-26-2023, 07:19 AM #6

If you're comfortable with the formatting, consider installing Ventoy and simply paste the ISO file. I've relied on this method for years when installing OSes and have no intention of changing it.

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