UEFI Rescue USB Sticks - Hirens, Kaspersky, et al

Antilope said:

Use Rufus to create a MBR / UEFI live bootable Linux Mint USB flash drive. Use a Linux Mint x64 ISO as the source. Linux Mint x64 has UEFI support (32 bit version may not), a Foxfire browser built in, copy/delete file manager and even disk partitioning software (Gparted) all accessible from the USB live boot stick when booted. It all fits on a 8gb USB stick.

Best of all, its live graphical interface looks and operates very much like Windows.

-Here is how to create a MBR / UEFI bootable USB flash drive:

First download and install Rufus bootable USB creator in Windows. Second, download the Linux Mint x64 ISO.

-How to use Rufus to create a MBR / UEFI bootable USB flash drive.

Here's how to fill out all of the fields in Rufus to create a MBR / UEFI bootable USB flash drive from a Linux Mint x64 ISO.

Plug in your USB drive first. Everything on it will be erased.

How to fill out Rufus options.
Under the following fields, fill in:

First, click on "Disc Icon" button (on the right side about 2/3's of the way down the Rufus menu) and find and select the Linux Mint x64 ISO source file on your hard disk. This is used to create the bootable USB flash drive.

Device:
choose the USB flash drive you are using from the drop down menus. If you only have one USB drive plugged in, it will be the only one on the list.

Partition scheme and target system type:
Select...
"MBR partition scheme for BIOS or UEFI"
OR
"GPT partition scheme for UEFI"
depending on the type of hard disk partitioning used on the system the USB drive will boot on.

File System:
Select "FAT32 (Default)"

Cluster size:
Select "4096 bytes (Default)"

New volume label:
Optional - fill in label name if desired

Format Options:

Select "1 Pass"

[ ] Check device for bad blocks (I don't check this option)
[X] Quick format
[X] Create a bootable disk using "ISO image"
[X} Create extended label and icon files

Click START.

If Rufus asks:

Please select the mode that you want to use to write this image:

( ) Write in ISO image mode (Recommended)
(x) Write in DD image mode

Select DD image mode and then select OK. Rufus 2.4 and above will ask. Rufus 2.2 and below doesn't ask or give these options, but works okay anyway.

I've found DD image mode best for Linux ISO's and ISO image mode best for Windows ISO's. If one
doesn't work or boot, re-create the bootable USB with the other option.

Allow Rufus to complete (can take up to 5-minutes or even a little longer) and you will have a UEFI bootable live Linux Mint USB flash drive that will have a browser, file copy/delete and even disc partitioning.

Well when I 1st followed your instructions and made the Linux Mine usb disk, it worked fine. Now when I try to boot from my usb, I get as far as seeing the 3 options, choose the top one, and from that point on, my usb just flashes and does nothing else.
I have to turn off computer, then turn back on to get back to desktop. Only thing that I have changed in my video card, put in a newer model. added more memory, and that's it. Why it freezes now I have no idea??

Well also checked trying to run Linux off one of my DVD's older version, nope, now for some reason no matter what version I try to run it fails to start. Really strange?? I can boot my Macrium Reflect USB no problem, but nothing will run if its Linux.

OldMike65 said:

Well also checked trying to run Linux off one of my DVD's older version, nope, now for some reason no matter what version I try to run it fails to start. Really strange?? I can boot my Macrium Reflect USB no problem, but nothing will run if its Linux.

If you have an older version of Linux you might have to turn off secure boot.

OldMike65 said:

Well also checked trying to run Linux off one of my DVD's older version, nope, now for some reason no matter what version I try to run it fails to start. Really strange?? I can boot my Macrium Reflect USB no problem, but nothing will run if its Linux.

Pull the added Ram out Mike and try it.

Torquemada said:

Pull the added Ram out Mike and try it.

Thanks, but their is no way I am taking my computer apart again, and pull out my 2x8gb sticks out just to be able to boot Linux mint!!! It would take me around 30 mins.......if Linux don't like me having 32GB of ram, then I have no use for Linux.

halasz said:

If you have an older version of Linux you might have to turn off secure boot.

Will not run ANY version of Linux since I upgraded my GPU and memory....old version or new version, don't matter.....

You can click on my system spec's and see what I am running on this computer now.....if you like. :)

Maybe the new update for Linux Mint will run off a usb, suppose to be released within the next few days. I donno?? Just seems strange that I can't run it now. Just because of adding memory and a new NVidia graphic's card.

OldMike65 said:

Will not run ANY version of Linux since I upgraded my GPU and memory....old version or new version, don't matter.....

Seems your card is perhaps not supported yet (couldn't find anything more recent than June) - Linux Mint Forums View topic - Black screen with EVGA Geforce GTX 750 Ti

At this time, the Nouveau drivers simply don't work with this graphic card and this is especially tricky if you're using a live dvd or USB

I suppose you could install to a VM, then make a custom live cd including the proprietary driver from Nvidia ... How to Create a Custom Ubuntu Live CD or USB the Easy Way

halasz said:

Seems your card isn't supported yetLinux Mint Forums View topic - Black screen with EVGA Geforce GTX 750 Ti

I suppose you could install to a VM, then make a custom live cd including the proprietary driver from Nvidia ... How to Create a Custom Ubuntu Live CD or USB the Easy Way

Ahhh so its my new card......dam.....oh well THANK You sir for this info, this card is not even that new, came out like a year or two. Its brand new card, but NVidia has released a lot newer cards since this one.
Thanks again for the heads up thou!!
Mike..

halasz said:

Seems your card is perhaps not supported yet (couldn't find anything more recent than June) - Linux Mint Forums View topic - Black screen with EVGA Geforce GTX 750 Ti

I suppose you could install to a VM, then make a custom live cd including the proprietary driver from Nvidia ... How to Create a Custom Ubuntu Live CD or USB the Easy Way

Surprised at that, normally Mint manages to load a driver of some description to get it going.