How to fix syslinux error creating a bootable USB stick in Windows?

12.04 system-installation windows live-usb usb-creator

135,120

Solution 1

I also used the universal usb installer, and also got that problem.

Try reformat the drive to NTFS and try again. It should work.

Solution 2

I've had the same problem with Ubuntu 12.04 desktop 64bits. I tried 2 times, same error: Syslinux shows a warning, closes and say "Won't be bootable".

So, I formatted the USB stick BEFORE opening universal USB installer, and NOT checked the "format drive" option (checkbox) and it worked just fine.

Solution 3

Download Unetbootin for Windows and try that:

http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

Before going ahead and making the Bootable USB, it's always a good idea to check the md5sum of the iso that you downloaded:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM#MD5SUM_on_Windows

This can save you a lot of grief later if it turns out the download was corrupt

Chris

Edit: @emersonhsieh, I think the LiveUSB must be formatted FAT to be able to boot off it.

@ Chris Mine had fat32 but it didn't work. after I reformatted it to ntfs it didn't have the error message.

@eversonhsieh: I have come across situations where the partition table put on the USB stick by the manufacturer causes some problems. The solution is to delete the partition table completely, remake it, and re-format FAT. Chris

I'm adding this as another edit, because my comment below seems to get hidden by a "show more" link. I think it's important enough to put it here in clear as it's caused a problem for quite a few people, myself included:

Ok, I've just verified this problem with Unetbootin and Ubuntu Startup disk creator on a Verbatim 2Gb drive. The problem is the partition table that the manufacturers put on the devices. Perhaps it's not marked bootable, or has something non-standard in there. The solution is to remove the partition table on the device, and remake a new partition table. You can then create a new partition and format it FAT32 and it will work. Chris

Solution 4

I resolved this problem. I tried format stick from FAT32 to NTFS - without results. I tried to format stick BEFORE running the Installer - without results. Then I did SLOW, LONG format of my USB stick using the system's Windows format (right click of mouse on the icon of USB stick and not-marked "Fast format"). Good luck ! :-)

Solution 5

FAT32 has a maximum partition size of 32GB. If you're using a newer flash drive, it's likely greater than 32GB - so you will have problems.

Delete all the partitions and the volume, then create a new volume that is 32GB or less in size.

Now the ISO -> USB program can re-format as FAT32 successfully.

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135,120

Sab

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

Sab over 1 year
I downloaded Ubuntu 12.04 desktop and I am trying to create a bootable USB drive using the universal USB installer.

However, I keep getting the message:
```
An error(1) occurred while executing syslinux. Your USB drive won’t be bootable.
```
I have formatted the USB using FAT32 (both quick and complete format) and even tried only FAT. The error still appears. I have also turned off all firewall but it does not make a difference.

Why is this happening?
- Admin almost 12 years
  
  No partition on the usb drive. Its just 1 gb fat32 formatted. Running windows 7
- Admin almost 12 years
  
  Are there any other messages in the Windows System Event log at the same time which might provide more information about what the actual error is? (To view system events, open the Windows Event Viewer.)
- Admin almost 6 years
  
  syslinux has changed its interface. It used to be syslinux <device> It is now syslinux install <device> Unetbootin needs to update its call. See man syslinx and man syslinux-legacy.
- Admin almost 3 years
  
  I also had this problem and none of the solution worked for me except one: disabling windows security before making usb drive, then enabling again after im done, as per @CJBS 's 2019 answer below.
Sab almost 12 years

Unfortunately unetbootin does not support ubuntu 12.04 desktop version.The checksum appears to be the same.
Sab almost 12 years

But i thought the drive should be fat32 formatted to boot from
Emerson Hsieh almost 12 years

I know! Everyone says that (look at the question above) but NTFS worked for me while FAT32 didn't.
Emerson Hsieh almost 12 years

@user65646 I know! Everyone says that but NTFS worked for me while FAT32 didn't.
fabricator4 almost 12 years

Unetbootin does not really care what release it is. Just select the radio button for "Diskimage" and point Unetbootin at the ISO on your hard drive. (12.04 may not be in the download section "Distribution" yet as it hasn't been updated.
Sab almost 12 years

That didnt work for me. Probably there is some other issue which i am unable to figure .
Sab almost 12 years

Okay. Let me try that out
Eliah Kagan almost 12 years

I've used FAT32 with Unetbootin a number of times, for various bootable .iso images, and it has always worked for me.
fabricator4 almost 12 years

Ok, I've just verified this problem with Unetbootin and Ubuntu Startup disk creator on a Verbatim 2Gb drive. The problem is the partition table that the manufacturers put on the devices. Perhaps it's not marked bootable, or has something non-standard in there. The solution is to remove the partition table on the device, and remake a new partition table. You can then create a new partition and format it FAT32 and it will work. Chris
Sab almost 12 years

Any idea how to delete the partion table on windows 7. Also when you format the device arent the partition tables recreated or am i mistaken here
MAUT almost 12 years

This worked for me 7/21/12. I formated to NTFS (contrary to what everyone else was saying) and it worked fine.
Emerson Hsieh almost 12 years

@EDGHK Thanks!! Finally there was someone that can prove that!!
Spencer D about 9 years

Vouch for this answer. After several tries using FAT32, this fixed my issue. Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
Admin over 8 years

+1 for trying out existing answers and figuring out one that still works today. Also, good screenshot to show what options were being selected to create the bootable USB in Windows.
Thamaraiselvam about 8 years

worked for me too
Hartmut Pfarr over 6 years

Fully agree with "The problem is the partition table that the manufacturers put on the devices.". In my case, this helped to solve the issue: Windows 10: Computer Management, Disk Manangement, Delete Volume, Create Volume, Format as NTFS.
Sadgati over 4 years

New versions of USB installer have removed this option however. Why???
Leo almost 3 years

This is the only thing that solved it for me.