How do I boot Ubuntu from my usb flash drive?

Question

I have been using Windows 7 Home Basic for years, and now I'm bored and my PC is getting slower by the day. So I decided to try Ubuntu. I formatted an 8GB Transcend USB Flash drive and put Ubuntu in it with the help of Universal USB Installer from pendrivelinux.com as instructed by Ubuntu.com here.

I tried to get help on how to boot from this USB here but I couldn't get my PC BIOS Setup to boot from it.

I press Enter to get to the menu as soon as the system starts, then try changing the primary boot to Removable Disk (my flash drive) by getting into the BIOS setup which doesn't help. I also try to change temporary boot location to the flash drive but in vain. The Windows Screen shows up no matter what I do and I never get a hint of the Ubuntu install menu.

I've tried doing this before and was unsuccessful a couple of times, and I really want to try Ubuntu. I want to know the exact steps I should follow to boot Ubuntu 12.10 from my USB stick.

My system specs are: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601 System Type X86-based PC Processor Intel(R) Atom(TM) CPU 330 @ 1.60GHz, 1596 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)

Solution

do not use the reccomended program ubuntu said to use to make the bootable flash drive as it doesn't work properly.

Istall unetbootin, it is free. Select the ubuntu to install and choose what flash drive to use and it will do everything for you. around 1 hour later everything should be ready. after that you can reboot and choose the usb flash drive to the top of the boot up order menu in the bios. after that the computer should boot into ubuntu. then install ubuntu and go through the steps, in one of the stages it lets you choose if you would like to replace windows 8 with ubuntu or dual boot windows 8 and ubuntu. then it will let make a new partition.

After it finishes install reboot and remove the flash drive and there should be a menu showing you which system you woruld like to boot into every time you switch on your laptop/pc/netbook/mac.

Comments

[fleamour]

Try another brand of USB key if you can.

[Meninx - メネンックス]

I agree, Universal sucks, I see many complaints here and in the Forums, use UNetbootin or better yet, Startup Disk Creator.