Boot Pendrive - Shell/Bash

Boot pendrive, also known as bootable USB, is a crucial tool for developers and IT professionals alike. It allows you to install operating systems, run diagnostic tools, and recover lost data on a computer. In this article, we will focus on booting a pendrive using Shell/Bash commands.

Creating a Bootable Pendrive

Before we can boot a pendrive, we need to create a bootable version of it. There are multiple ways to accomplish this, but one of the most popular is to use the dd command in the terminal.

Step 1: Identify the Pendrive

First, we need to identify the pendrive's device name. To do this, connect the pendrive to your computer and open a terminal. Then run the following command:

sudo fdisk -l

This will list all connected storage devices, including your pendrive. The device name for the pendrive will typically start with /dev/sd.

Step 2: Download the ISO Image

The next step is to download the ISO image that you want to use for booting the pendrive. This could be the installation image for an operating system or a diagnostic tool.

Step 3: Write the ISO Image to the Pendrive

To write the ISO image to the pendrive, use the dd command as follows:

sudo dd if=/path/to/iso/image of=/dev/sdX bs=4M && sync

Replace /path/to/iso/image with the path to the ISO image you downloaded, and /dev/sdX with the device name for your pendrive (e.g., /dev/sdb). The bs=4M option specifies the block size to use when reading and writing data, and the sync command ensures that all data has been written to the pendrive before it is ejected.

Booting from the Pendrive

Once you have created a bootable pendrive, you can use it to boot a computer into a different operating system or diagnostic environment.

Step 1: Insert the Pendrive

Insert the bootable pendrive into the computer you want to boot from.

Step 2: Enter the Boot Menu

Reboot the computer and enter the boot menu by pressing the appropriate key during startup (e.g., F12 for Dell computers). This will bring up a list of bootable devices. Select the pendrive from this list and press Enter.

Step 3: Boot from the Pendrive

The computer will now boot from the pendrive, allowing you to install an operating system, run diagnostic tools, or recover lost data.

Conclusion

Bootable pendrives are an essential tool for developers and IT professionals. Using Shell/Bash commands, we can quickly create a bootable pendrive and boot a computer into a different environment. With the right ISO image, the possibilities are endless.