Using Grub4Dos for Gentoo Live USB

**AbiCgail** · 02-07-2011

I have been facing problem with Gentoo operating system. Please help me to solve my problem. To make my USB flash drive multiple hold Linux Live CDs to cut it into number of CDs I am using YUMI from Pen Drive Linux. There I have many operating systems and they are working finr except Gentoo and Sabayon. I did custom boot pre-installed Grub4Dos utility. Also I have dumped files form Gentoo minimal install ISO the directory "/multiboot/gentoo". Below I have mentioned the entry:

Code:

title Gentoo Minimal x86 2011-03-22
find --set-root /multiboot/gentoo/isolinux/gentoo.igz
kernel /multiboot/gentoo/isolinux/gentoo root=/dev/
ram0 init=/multiboot/gentoo/linuxrc  dokeymap looptype=squashfs 
loop=/multiboot/gentoo/image.squashfs  cdroot vga=791 slowusb
initrd /multiboot/gentoo/isolinux/gentoo.igz

**Ernesto4** · 02-07-2011

I would like to make you aware that YUMI natively does not support Gentoo operating system. I have used Grub4dos before so I am familiar with Grub4dos. Since your entry is Grub2 type then generaaly you need a partition pointed to --set-root section. A title line is not used by Grub2 so it will not work. From the below code you can take reference. It’s the entry of Ubuntu with Grub2 to boot iso image on DVD:

Code:

menuentry "Ubuntu Live 10.10 32bit" {
    loopback loop /ubuntu-10.10-desktop-i386.iso
    linux (loop)/casper/vmlinuz boot=casper  
iso-scan/filename=/ubuntu-10.10-desktop-i386.iso quiet splash --
    initrd (loop)/casper/initrd.lz
}

**mesterio** · 02-07-2011

The “--ser-root” option is valid as because of that option the YUMI adds other ISOs. I have worked in the entry related to Ubuntu Natty Alpha. I have edited the code for you. The code will look as I have mentioned below:

Code:

title Ubuntu 11.04 Natty ALPHA
find --set-root /multiboot/ubunattyalpha/initrd.lz
kernel /multiboot/ubunattyalpha/vmlinuz boot=casper 
live-media-path=/multiboot/ubunattyalpha/ ignore_uuid quiet splash
initrd /multiboot/ubunattyalpha/initrd.lz
boot

**DanielV** · 02-07-2011

Just follow the steps that I have suggested to boot from USB drive. It will offer you SysLinux Menu, where you have to choose to load the Grub4DOS which is installed by YUMI.

After loading the below code will be on the top of the screen says:

Code:

GRUB4DOS 0.4.4 2009-06-20 ...

Just comment out the “find” line and replace it with (hd0,0). Explicit it from the flash drive so that the BIOS label it as first drive. You will notice that Gentoo will load module and attempt to mount filesystem root. There is possibility that it may give the below error:

Code:

!! Media not found
!! Could not find CD to boot, something else needed!
!! Could not find the root block device in .

Then you will see that it will give you the option to go to valid root device.

Code:

The filesystem mounted at /dev/sdi1 does not appear to be a valid /.

**Zhankana_n** · 02-07-2011

I would like to add on it. After you have extracted the files, try to run these systems as Live CDs. Take these Live CDs from your USB. Then you would need a different entry. For Sabayon entry use the boot as Live/Install from a DVD:

Code:

title Start Sabayon 5.4 XFCE
 kernel /boot/sabayon root=/dev/ram0 aufs init=/
linuxrc cdroot looptype=squashfs max_loop=64 loop=/
livecd.squashfs splash=silent,theme:sabayon vga=791 console=tty1 quiet -- 
initrd /boot/sabayon.igz

**Enriquee** · 02-07-2011

Mount the newly formatted USB flash. Try the below boot and make sure you have sys-boot/syslinux-3.00 or later installed in your system.

Code:

# emerge -av '>sys-boot/syslinux-3'
# dd if=/usr/share/syslinux/mbr.bin of=/dev/sdc
0+1 records in
0+1 records out
304 bytes (304 B) copied, 0.0162317 s, 18.7 kB/s

After you mount the flash drive on /newroot/mnt/cdrom, you can boot successfully into Gentoo using the flash drive.

**Deep123** · 05-07-2011

You still have the same issue after trying all possible ways. According to me you should stop trying different unusual ways. The reason I am telling this is because trying wired ways may dame your operating system more. It may also result to threats that may not repair. I suggest you to refer Gentoo Handbook further more information rather trying by yourself. In book the instruction will be appropriate and you can also refer the official website.