USB drive install of Ubuntu 12.04 Server fails - can't find components from CD-ROM

I'm trying to install Ubuntu 12.04 Server (32bit) on a machine here using a USB stick. I used the Universal-USB-Installer-1.8.9.4 which has support for 12.04 server to get the ISO onto the USB drive.

The computer boots up the installation process ok.
It gets through the Ubuntu language, locale and keyboard selection.
Then starts loading additional components. At this point it gets about a quarter of the way through then throws big error message saying:

[!!] Load installer components from CD

There was a problem reading data from the CD-ROM. Please make sure it is in the drive. If retrying does not work., you should check the integrity of your CD-ROM.

Failed to copy file from CD-ROM. Retry?

cd rom error with purple background

Retrying obviously fails as well. Have tried re-running again and installing again onto the USB but no change. Have tried checking for CD-ROM integrity errors and it breaks on this error:

[!] Check the CD-ROM(s) integrity

Integrity test failed

The ./pool/main/l/linux/fs-secondary-modules-3.2.0-23-generic-pae-di_3.2.0-23.36_i386. file failed the MD5 checksum verification. Your CD-ROM or this file may have been corrupted.

enter image description here

Have also tried the Ubuntu-Server 12.04 LTS (Precise Pangolin) daily build. No go there. Even checked the iso SHA1 hashes and they match.

Have tried LinuxLive USB Creator 2.8.11 and unetbootin-windows-575 to see if it was an image with the USB drive software but still no go.

Any ideas?

Solution 1:

This was my solution with a Ubuntu 12.04 LTS server installation from a USB Pendrive:

Run the installer.
Open a shell (ALT + F2).
Create the directory cdrom directly on the root of the file system:
```
mkdir /cdrom
```
(If you got problems making the directory /cdrom, disable the CD-rom player in BOIS or disconnect the cable)
Mount the USB as if it is a CD-ROM:
```
mount -t vfat /dev/sdb1 /cdrom 
```
Where sdb1 is your USB device.

That's all.

Solution 2:

It seems there are some naming errors with the files under \pool\main\l\linux (I found false extensions *.ude instead of *.udeb there) and a MD5-Checksum error with ./install/netboot/ubuntu-installer/i386/pxelinux.cfg/default). After fixing these errors I'm able to install the 32-bit Server Edition.

Solution 3:

The solution is to use the Startup Disk Creator. I have try it on my USB key and I have installed Ubuntu Server 12.04 LTS 32 bits without trouble. I use Ubuntu Desktop 12.04 LTS in order to create my USB Startup Disk. See this article for details about Startup Disk Creator: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/help/create-a-usb-stick-on-ubuntu

Solution 4:

For me it was enough to change those extensions (*.ude to *.udeb) under \pool\main\l\linux.

Solution 5:

I found another solution to this. Follow the steps:

create the bootable pendrive as using Universal-USB-Installer-1.8.9.4
also copy the same iso file to the pendrive
reboot the system and select Execute shell command
run the following command (mind the device/pendrive name):
```
mount -o loop /dev/sdb1 /cdrom
exit
```
select the option load configuration from cdrom
a list of options will be shown; select the 3rd,4th and 5th which are related to loading iso
now on main menu select option load iso from disk
a list of disks will be shown, select the one corresponding to your pendrive
the iso file will be shown select this and you are done
follow the rest of onscreen options