How to create a Mac bootable live Linux USB on Windows?

Question

Right, I'll get right to it.

How can I make a Linux Live USB on Windows, that I can use on a Mac.

In front of me, I have a Windows laptop, and a dropped Mac Book Pro that won't properly boot. I need the Live USB to see what's wrong with the Mac, but conventional methods won't work. Running Linux on VM on the Windows isn't really viable, as it's a very old laptop, and I can only do basic stuff on it.

The Live USB has to boot on the MAC.

Spec on Mac: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5
13.3 inch MacBook Pro
Model MD313X
Bought early 2012

Sort of in a rush...

Thank you!

Solution 1

I personaly prefer the Ubuntu 12.04.3 LTS release, you can download it from this page and use it with Unetbootin which allows you to create a bootable USB-Stick.

Good luck.

Solution 2

Right. As for now, what worked for me was this: http://studyblast.wordpress.com/2011/08/14/guide-mac-os-x-lion-how-to-boot-a-linux-live-system-from-a-usb-drive-how-to-update-any-ocz-ssds-firmware/

I got it to boot up to GRUB, but and I probably would have got to Ubuntu eventually, but I didn't bother because I already knew what was there to know.

Thanks everyone!

Comments

[MadMike]

In order to help you, can you please hit the edit below your question and give us more information what kind of MacBook Pro you are having in front of you?

[Jack]

Well, I added what I can. If you need anything else specific, please ask.

[MadMike]

So this seems to be a MacBookPro8,1

[Jack]

It's not my MacBook. I don't know anything about Macs, and we really need this thing booting as quick as possible. Thanks if you can help!

[gertvdijk]

@Jack This site is not the right place for urgent matters. And next time indicate what you've tried already, as this is a really basic question as far as I can see, which you can find answers for using the search.

[Jack]

Sorry. Where should I go?

[MadMike]

Don't worry, I don't know really anything about MacBooks either ;-) What I know is, that it makes a difference if there is a Intel or PowerPC CPU in there. This was need to be able to suggest a ISO which will work. See my answer below.

[web.learner]

In a comment on MadMike's answer you said you would try unetbootin, did that work?

[Jack]

Seth, sorry. It didn't really work. Macs are weird that way. Here's what did work: studyblast.wordpress.com/2011/08/14/…

[Braiam]

@Jack when answering to someone comments, the best way is using @ that way the get informed. Also that article is way too old but if it worked for you you are able to add that in the answers above.

[Jack]

@Braiam Thanks for the reminder. Since departing from C#, I haven't used SE in a long time. Forgot about the @. Also, I did add the answer below. I know it's really old, but at least it got me where I needed. For now.

[Jack]

But unetbootin doesn't boot on mac does it?

[MadMike]

Install Unetbootin on your Windows machine and create the USB-Stick from there. It will create a USB-Stick your MacBook will be able to boot from.

[Jack]

Thanks! I'll try now. Although I should ask whether I should be using the x86 or 64-bit version.

[MadMike]

The 64-bit version will work fine.