Unable to boot from USB key on GA-890FXA-UD5

[NZJon]

Hi there.

I have a GA-890FXA-UD5 (rev 2.1) with the F6 BIOS. I am unable to boot a Linux image from an USB key, and wondered whether anyone could shed some light on it?

I have tried a couple of different ISO images (Ubuntu 10.10, SysRescueCD 2.1.0) and a couple of different USB keys. My laptop is able to boot from them, but I cannot get my GA-890FXA-UD5 to boot from them. I always get the following:

Loading operating system ... 
Boot error

- Do I need to use a specific USB port, or will any do?
- Should I be using the USB-HDD option from the boot menu (F12)?
- Should I have specific settings enabled in the BIOS?

Many thanks,

Jon

[wazza300]

Re: Unable to boot from USB key on GA-890FXA-UD5

Did you make the usb stick bootable? Look in qflash guide on main tweaktown/gigabyte page,use the HP software to make the stick bootable,enable usb storage or usb legacy devices in the bios and try booting from usb and usb/hdd in the bios

[Chike]

Re: Unable to boot from USB key on GA-890FXA-UD5

You need to enable USB Storage function and maybe USB Legacy Function, in Integrated Peripherals.

At the F12 screen slect + Dard Disk, then the USB drive.

[absic]

Re: Unable to boot from USB key on GA-890FXA-UD5

Hi there,
I have this mobo and am also running the F6 BIOS and can BOOT and install various Linux distros without problem from the USB Stick. You might want to use this: Universal USB Installer – Easy as 1 2 3 | USB Pen Drive Linux to create a Bootable pendrive.

Once you have created the install drive shut down the PC and plug the USB stick into one of the USB2 ports (don't try using the USB3 ones).
Restart the PC and press F12 to get to the BOOT menu. You need to choose the USB-HDD option to access the pendrive.
Apart from keyboard and mouse do not have any other devices plugged into the USB ports. Although this is not essential it does help eliminate any issues.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Unable to boot from USB key on GA-890FXA-UD5

I posted a reply for you as well in the other thread you inquired about on this issue, see this post, same info as posted above by Chike

http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/24883-welcome-gigabyte-technical-support-133.html#post394471

Guys, it sounds like his stick is bootable already as he mentions using it on other PC's, I think he just needs to learn the "Gigabyte Way" of booting to USB :)

[Ronny Watson]

Re: Unable to boot from USB key on GA-890FXA-UD5

Hello all,

According to the Fedora 15 Docs there is an Award BIOS bug that can prevent USB sticks from booting. I've had the same problem with LiveUSB Creator and Unetbootin, making bootsticks with Fedora and Windows. I've used the same sticks in two Acers (both with Phoenix BIOSes) without problem.

Since the GA-890FXA-UD5 uses an Award BIOS (I have the latest BIOS in my mobo (rev. 3.1)), there may not be a solution.

I haven't tried the legacy USB support option though.

Quote from <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">https://fedorahosted.org/liveusb-creator/wiki/FAQ<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">I cannot boot off of the USB key!

"Some BIOSes have been reported (in particular, certain versions of the Award BIOS) that cannot boot USB keys in "USB-HDD" mode. This is a very serious BIOS bug, but it is unfortunately rather typical of the kind of quality we're seeing out of major BIOS vendors these days. On these BIOSes, you're generally stuck booting them in USB-ZIP mode.
THIS MEANS THE FILESYSTEM IMAGE ON THE DISK HAS TO HAVE A CORRECT ZIPDRIVE-COMPATIBLE GEOMETRY."
See this page for details on setting up your usb key in a zip-like fashon. Ideally the liveusb-creator should support this feature as well (ticket #267).

[quids]

Re: Unable to boot from USB key on GA-890FXA-UD5

Since this thread is the one of the highest ranking search results on Google...

I bought a GA-890FXA-UD5 Rev 3.1 and have had the same issues with it not booting from a Linux or Windows USB Boot disk. The Windows side I don't particularly care about, but it is essential have the Linux disks going. I have tried the default Startup disk creator in Ubuntu and also UNetBootin.
Results vary from the USB Disk not appearing in the F12 boot menu or when it does appear I get the same error "Loading operating system ... Boot error"

Trying different USB2 or USB3 ports made no difference
Changing legacy settings in the BIOS also made no difference

The exact same USB Disks work fine on my old motherboard GA-870A-UD3 and also on my Netbook.
I've had to put the old 870A motherboard back in which is just a bit of a waste.

Is there any fix for getting these Gigabyte GA-890FXA-UD5 motherboards to boot off USB boot disks?

[Chike]

Re: Unable to boot from USB key on GA-890FXA-UD5

@quids
which device eactly have you chose from F12 menu?

[quids]

Re: Unable to boot from USB key on GA-890FXA-UD5

@Chike
I usually go for USB HDD Option, but have also gone into the Hard Drive list and selected USB Boot disk from there (thats if it appears in the Hard Drive list, which it didn't always).

Either option worked fine on the old 870A motherboard.

[Chike]

Re: Unable to boot from USB key on GA-890FXA-UD5

So it seems that ubunto does begin booting but has an error? e.g. if you just format the USB and try booting from it do you get the same error?

[bkmfs]

Re: Unable to boot from USB key on GA-890FXA-UD5

Hey I have an unusual situation that may relate to this thread.
My theory is that my Dell with it's Intel Duo will only boot up the flash drive if the code on the mbr of the flash drive is a certain way.


I have good luck when the distro I want to install is already an image file and just requires some kind of 'dd' command.

I have good luck with the 'usb-creator' program on Ubuntu 9.04 and not the one on 9.10 and beyond (and as long as the Ubuntu distro is pre-10.04).

'unetbootin' made live USBs won't work on this computer.


This is specific to my Dell with it's Intel Duo. The above mentioned all work fine when booted on a different style computer.

[taranoch]

Re: Unable to boot from USB key on GA-890FXA-UD5

Hey Guys,

A bit late with my reply i know but i have a fix!
Plug in your USB key, turn on your PC and go into the BIOS (DEL).
Then go into "Advanced BIOS Features -> Hard Disk Boot Priority"
Chane "USB-HDD0 - Brand Name Of USB Key" to number "1" on the Boot Sequence.
Reboot.
It will now automatically boot from your USB Key.
If the BIOS fails to detect your USB Key then Unplug and Replug it whilst on this BIOS screen, reboot, then go back into the BIOS and try again.
It will now appear.

Thanks,
Taran

[Vinster]

Re: Unable to boot from USB key on GA-890FXA-UD5

another alternative is to press F12 on boot-up to force a boot disk selection screen, then select the USB drive.

if you want to permanently use the USB drive then what taranoch suggest is the best solution.

Vin