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

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?

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:

Here's my experience after following some of the top rated answers on this thread.

1. Formatting with NTFS using Windows built in format utility got rid of syslinux error but I could never boot from the pendrive.

2. Formatting with exFAT be it quick or thorough didnt solve the problem and syslinux error persisted.

3. Universal USB Installer has a setting to format fat32 as highlighted in the image:

   

This setting worked perfectly fine, the pen drive was formatted by this tool, installer was copied and I could boot from the pen drive.