3

I'm a total total noob who is trying to download Linux Mint on a Mac OS X using a (8 GB) USB flash drive. I know there is some way to go into terminal and convert the iso file, but I don't know how.

-see updated question at bottom-

Here's the things I have tried so far:

  1. sudo dd bs=4M if=[linuxmint-17.1-cinnamon-64bit.iso] of=/dev/disk2s1
    (result: dd: bs: illegal numeric value)

  2. ~/path/to/Users/[my name]/linuxmint-17.1-cinnamon-64bit.img ~/path/to/Users/[my name]/linuxmint-17.1-cinnamon-64bit.iso
    -bash: /Users/[my name]/path/to/Users/[my name]/linuxmint-17.1-cinnamon-64bit.img (result: No such file or directory)

Maybe for #1 the "/dev/disk2s1" part is wrong? How do I find the number for the USB that goes after "/dev/sd"? (I can only find "/dev/disk2s1").

EDIT: I followed mypal125's advice and plugged into Terminal:

sudo dd bs=4000000 if=linuxmint-17.1-cinnamon-64bit.iso of=/dev/disk2

Here's my new problem: I get the message :"The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer." I have an option to initialize? Is there something I am able to do with this?

Thanks so much!

user443598
  • 31
  • 3
  • 1
    *"How to convert iso file to USB"* -- Former is a file specification. Latter is a bus specification. Apples to oranges; you're asking for an imposiible conversion. *"USB drive"* -- Ambiguous device. Perhaps you mean a USB ***flash*** drive? – sawdust May 04 '15 at 00:08
  • Your question seems to (improperly) assume that the ISO image file that you have is a *hybrid ISO* image that is also suitable for a device that requires an MBR. See http://superuser.com/questions/410305/what-is-the-difference-between-the-usb-booting-mechanism-and-optical-disk-bootin – sawdust May 04 '15 at 00:46
  • Also: `~` is short for the path to your home directory, which might be something like `/home/[my name]` or `/Users/[my name]` — so specifying them both is like specifying `/Users/[my name]/Users/[my name]` — *just like the error message says*.  That probably doesn't exist, so don't do that. – G-Man Says 'Reinstate Monica' May 04 '15 at 00:57
  • @G-Man, this is OSX here so its /Volumes/$USER/...... but still valid point – linuxdev2013 May 04 '15 at 05:14
  • @user443598 -- Regarding your edit: since you're having a problem with an answer, be sure to add a comment to that answer so that the author is aware of the issue that you're having and the revised question. BTW the verb for terminal input is "type" and not *"plug"*. – sawdust May 04 '15 at 05:19
  • @linuxdev2013: Yeah, I'm not familiar with OS X, but the fact that there was an error message saying `/Users/[my name]/path/to/Users/[my name]/…: No such file or directory` was crying out for attention. – G-Man Says 'Reinstate Monica' May 04 '15 at 05:29
  • Valid point I misread that as 2 separate errors nice catch – linuxdev2013 May 04 '15 at 05:31

2 Answers2

3

Let's dissect the error.

dd: bs: illegal numeric value

bs: you set bs=4M in your command line.
illegal numeric value: This means the value of bs isn't valid ("legal")

If I recall correctly, the "m" in bs has to be lowercase. Of course you can use bs=4000000 (4 million, 4M) instead to avoid this.

Also, the guide (I assume) you are using is assuming Linux, and Linux uses /dev/sdx for hard drives, flash drives, etc. Darwin (the base for Mac OS X) uses /dev/diskx. Also, /dev/disk2s1 is pointing to the first partition of disk 3. (the computer is counting from zero) You probably mean /dev/disk2, which points to disk 3, plain and simple. The reason behind this is because the .iso file contains its own "partition table," or what stores where partitions are. /dev/disk2 will let you overwrite the partition table.

TL;DR: sudo dd bs=4000000 if=linuxmint-17.1-cinnamon-64bit.iso of=/dev/disk2 on Mac OS X assuming flash drive is on /dev/disk2, <sudo> dd bs=4000000 if=linuxmint-17.1-cinnamon-64bit.iso of=/dev/sdb on Linux assuming flash drive is on /dev/sdb.

Piper McCorkle
  • 259
  • 3
  • 15
  • 1
    I would use this - is a lot easier. ==> http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/ – whs May 04 '15 at 00:46
  • 1
    This answer improperly assumes that the ISO image file is a *hybrid ISO* image that is also suitable for a device that requires an MBR. See http://superuser.com/questions/410305/what-is-the-difference-between-the-usb-booting-mechanism-and-optical-disk-bootin – sawdust May 04 '15 at 00:53
  • 1
    @sawdust not improper assumption Linux Mint (a Ubuntu family OS ) IS hybrid as are 98% of modern linux OSes these days. – linuxdev2013 May 04 '15 at 01:07
  • whs sadly that is not a viable option for mac as it is licensed in such a way it is not approved by apple -- if this is not of concern to user -- aka he/she is ditching MacOSX and not using for schooling or otherwise then sure but there are better options too. – linuxdev2013 May 04 '15 at 01:17
  • Yeah I tried to download Unetbootin but it doesn't work for Macs, as mentioned. Is there any equivalent program for Macs? – user443598 May 04 '15 at 01:30
  • if dd is failing you try the mac version of unetbootin found here: > http://sourceforge.net/projects/unetbootin/files/UNetbootin/608/unetbootin-mac-608.zip/download?use_mirror=hivelocity If that was the version you wer trying what error did you recieve? – linuxdev2013 May 04 '15 at 05:17
1

Drop the partition part (disks1 part in bold) as you write to the drive NOT a partition (for the context of this question at least -- as there are MORE ADVANCED use cases and ways to safely do to a partition)

As for the 4M size issue how big is the actual USB stick ? is there other stuff on the stick presently ---if so back it up if its meaningful to you and re-run command (with sudo prepended like so (shown below)

sudo dd bs=4M if=/Volumes/Users/[my name]/linuxmint-17.1-cinnamon-64bit.iso of=/disk2

--this assumes it is in the 'root' of your /home directory AND that there are 2 additional drives / non system partitions beyond the internal one, check via finder OR udisks (aka Disk Utility) if this is indeed the case and amend of=/disk# accordingly --if it is in (more likely your Downloads folder run like below:

sudo dd bs=4M if=/Volumes/Users/[my name]/Downloads/linuxmint-17.1-cinnamon-64bit.iso of=/disk2

EDIT: As a native alternative use Disk Utility like so:

1) open Disk utility and select that target drive (the usb) in 'destination' field

2) navigate to the linuxmint iso and place it in the 'source' field and hit 'restore disk image' should this fail Please update via the comments what errors are presented

linuxdev2013
  • 1,301
  • 11
  • 21