I Want To Plug A USB Stick Directly Into The Micro SD Slot

[Boot_From_USB_Please]

I want to install ubuntu on a usb stick and directly boot from it on my raspberry pi 2.
I need a cable that will insert into the micro sd slot on one end and plug into my usb stick on the other end.

The elan mobidapter would have been perfect if they haven't discontinued the product:
http://www.saelig.com/product/MIO001.htm

But now that this product is no longer available, I'm back to square one.

Please help, I'm fed up with my micro sd card and malfunctioning raspberry pi 2.

P.S. Raspberry Foundation, please do us all a big favor next time and let us boot directly from the USB stick on your future raspberry pi models. Everybody hates having to use micro sd cards. We all deserve the right to go to raspi-config and choose "boot from usb".

[mahjongg]

P.S. Raspberry Foundation, please do us all a big favor next time and let us boot directly from the USB stick on your future raspberry pi models.

That is technically impossible, but its quite easy to have only the first part of the boot done from SD-card, but then switch to USB-memory.

Don't think, by the way, that booting from USB-stick would be more reliable than from sd-card.

[ShiftPlusOne]

Yup, not being able to boot from USB wasn't something that happened because they were lazy or ignorant of its utility. It just wasn't possible. I am sure that if it somehow becomes possible in the future, it will happen.

[default_user8]

I want to install ubuntu on a usb stick and directly boot from it on my raspberry pi 2.
I need a cable that will insert into the micro sd slot on one end and plug into my usb stick on the other end.

The elan mobidapter would have been perfect if they haven't discontinued the product:
http://www.saelig.com/product/MIO001.htm

But now that this product is no longer available, I'm back to square one.

Please help, I'm fed up with my micro sd card and malfunctioning raspberry pi 2.

P.S. Raspberry Foundation, please do us all a big favor next time and let us boot directly from the USB stick on your future raspberry pi models. Everybody hates having to use micro sd cards. We all deserve the right to go to raspi-config and choose "boot from usb".

Since you mentioned ubuntu, if this is what you are wanting to do:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Boot-an ... ash-Drive/
The raspi won't run that anyway.

But if this is what you are really after:
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=44177
Then you've got some reading to do.

[kusti8]

"Everyone hates having to use micro SD cards"

Well I'm obviously not everyone. I think that given the options, micro SD cards were a great pick. A little small, but I can keep track of them.

Anyways, a USB stick wouldn't be any different.

You could tell us what problems your having and see if there is a solution that is possible.

[Joe Schmoe]

Actually, it would be possible - to make the Pi more like a regular PC (which is what the OP is really saying) - via onboard flash.

Many SBC boards (not the Pi) do include on-board flash - that usually boots Android or something like that. It is certainly not at all unreasonable for a future version of the Pi (but still using the same SOC and same general booting model) to boot an onboard flash - like the Compute Module does.

In my vision of this, that onboard flash could either boot directly into something (Linux, Android, whatever) or it could just chain load something on the USB bus (like in the current model of what "booting from USB" means).

None of this is necessary, of course, and I'm not really arguing for it.

But it would give users like the OP a more "regular PC" feeling.

[ShiftPlusOne]

Actually, it would be possible - to make the Pi more like a regular PC (which is what the OP is really saying) - via onboard flash.

That would mean extra cost, extra routing, extra complexity. Not really feasible for a low cost device. Of course over time the prices drop, freeing up some margin for a 'free' upgrade. We've seen it go towards the new SoC, more RAM, better power circuitry with a SMPS and a voltage monitor.I'd say those benefit everybody, whereas USB boot would (arguably) bring no real benefit (just a nice alternative to existing functionality).

If it becomes possible to do this for 'free' then maybe that will be an option, who knows.

[Joe Schmoe]

If it becomes possible to do this for 'free' then maybe that will be an option, who knows.

Again, note that I'm not really arguing for this (it makes no difference to me), but isn't this how the Compute Module already works?

Note that I know next to nothing about the CM other than what I've read in occasional posts here.

[ShiftPlusOne]

isn't this how the Compute Module already works?

Sort of, but doing that on a B+ would make it brickable. To get around that, they'd need to add a way have a USB connection behind the USB hub chip, add jumper pins and so on. But yeah, you're right.

[B.Goode]

Raspberry Foundation, please do us all a big favor next time and let us boot directly from the USB stick on your future raspberry pi models. Everybody hates having to use micro sd cards. We all deserve the right to go to raspi-config and choose "boot from usb".

You could use this opportunity to raise this issue directly with the Raspberry Pi Foundation.

[PhilE]

Why is a USB stick so much better than a microSD card, when you can put a microSD card into an adaptor and get... <drumroll>... a USB stick? The price difference isn't much these days - are they just too fiddly?

I have a nice Kingston SD/microSD card reader permanently plugged into my PC, and I find moving the microSD card from
Pi to PC is no more difficult than moving a USB stick. In fact the PC probably responds quicker to the microSD card insertion since it doesn't have to locate a driver for a new USB device.

[Boot_From_USB_Please]

Yup, not being able to boot from USB wasn't something that happened because they were lazy or ignorant of its utility. It just wasn't possible. I am sure that if it somehow becomes possible in the future, it will happen.

What I would like to know is where can I buy a microsd male to male ribbon cable.

[Boot_From_USB_Please]

Why is a USB stick so much better than a microSD card, when you can put a microSD card into an adaptor and get... <drumroll>... a USB stick? The price difference isn't much these days - are they just too fiddly?

I have a nice Kingston SD/microSD card reader permanently plugged into my PC, and I find moving the microSD card from
Pi to PC is no more difficult than moving a USB stick. In fact the PC probably responds quicker to the microSD card insertion since it doesn't have to locate a driver for a new USB device.

Hi Mr. Engineer, three things.

1) I am having difficulties partitionning and formatting my new microsd and usb stick
2) I am having difficulties transferring the system files from the microsd with raspbian to my usb stick
3) USB sticks are faster at reading and writing, more reliable and can have more storage 256GB etc.

I am fed up with epiphany crashing all the time, with browsing being slow. I've heard that there is a ubuntu version for raspberry pi 2. I just don't want to install it on a microsd card. I want to install it on a usb stick.

I might have to boot from the microsd and then run from the usb stick. In this case I would like to know how to do that.

I don't have a PC, all I have is my raspberry pi 2. It's very difficult to partition, format and install linux on a microsd card and usb stick using only my raspberry pi 2.

To date, I haven't succeeded yet.

[asandford]

Why is a USB stick so much better than a microSD card, when you can put a microSD card into an adaptor and get... <drumroll>... a USB stick? The price difference isn't much these days - are they just too fiddly?

I have a nice Kingston SD/microSD card reader permanently plugged into my PC, and I find moving the microSD card from
Pi to PC is no more difficult than moving a USB stick. In fact the PC probably responds quicker to the microSD card insertion since it doesn't have to locate a driver for a new USB device.

Hi Mr. Engineer, three things.

1) I am having difficulties partitionning and formatting my new microsd and usb stick
2) I am having difficulties transferring the system files from the microsd with raspbian to my usb stick
3) USB sticks are faster at reading and writing, more reliable and can have more storage 256GB etc.

I am fed up with epiphany crashing all the time, with browsing being slow. I've heard that there is a ubuntu version for raspberry pi 2. I just don't want to install it on a microsd card. I want to install it on a usb stick.

I might have to boot from the microsd and then run from the usb stick. In this case I would like to know how to do that.

I don't have a PC, all I have is my raspberry pi 2. It's very difficult to partition, format and install linux on a microsd card and usb stick using only my raspberry pi 2.

To date, I haven't succeeded yet.

Leave /boot on the sd and have /root on a usb stick (or hdd) - there is loads of information on how to do that.

[Joe Schmoe]

Note that if you *literally* don't have any other computer other than the Pi, then you really are SOL. I know of no method of getting the Pi up and running, other than buying a pre-built card (which, based on reports here, rarely works), that doesn't involve another PC to some extent. The beauty of the NOOBS system is that the amount of work you have to do off the Pi is minimal, and involves no other tools (nothing to download/install/make-your-system-unstable).

Out of curiosity, what do you use to post to this forum? A smartphone, maybe?

[Boot_From_USB_Please]

[quote="JOut of curiosity, what do you use to post to this forum? A smartphone, maybe?[/quote]

I use my raspberry pi 2 running raspbian. But I am not satisfied with it. It is too slow and too unstable. Epiphany web browser crashes all the time and web browsing is extremely slow. Also, python can be somewhat lagging when heavy 2D graphics are involved, such as with platform games.

I want to install Ubuntu on a USB key and run it with my raspberry pi 2.

[timrowledge]

Why would you think Ubuntu is noticeably faster? Why would Python be any faster?

[fruitoftheloom]

I use my raspberry pi 2 running raspbian. But I am not satisfied with it. It is too slow and too unstable. Epiphany web browser crashes all the time and web browsing is extremely slow. Also, python can be somewhat lagging when heavy 2D graphics are involved, such as with platform games.

I want to install Ubuntu on a USB key and run it with my raspberry pi 2.

The RPi is not a Desktop Replacement and though can undertake those tasks it is more Intel P3 than i3.

Surely you researched prior to buying the RPi as the issues what you perceive as issues are not actual issues they are challenges of how to get the most out of a low powered device.

Personally prefer IceWeasel (Firefox) Web Browser in Raspbian.

Raspbian is very good and supported by the RPF, whilst the Ubuntu Community Spin various flavours are good they are not IMO for the inexperienced and IMO Arch is a better OS for the experienced.

Regards USB Flash Drives, like SD Cards they do have a read/write life, an external 2.5" USB (SATA or Solid State Drive) is better.

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=44177

Lower you expectations and learn how to get the most out of the Raspbian Pi and Raspbian, or sell it and move on if it is not for you a 10" Android Tablet is only a £100.00 in the UK.

[mikerr]

Note that if you *literally* don't have any other computer other than the Pi, then you really are SOL.

I know of no method of getting the Pi up and running, other than buying a pre-built card (which, based on reports here, rarely works), that doesn't involve another PC to some extent.

Well note the op does already have a running pi system.

Once you're up and running (e.g. with a preimaged card*) and have the following

1)a single bootable microSd card for the pi (*)
2) usb microsd reader, and second microsd card
3) a usb flash drive for extra storage.

You can then technically download/install other Os or do anything without ever touching a PC.

I do this myself to try to keep an "all pi" lab.

[fruit-uk]

Why is a USB stick so much better than a microSD card

,
I have not killed an SD or microSD on a Pi yet - but I have killed a USB stick! It became read-only and useless after powering off during a loop/lockup.

[mahjongg]

There IS a way to make directly booting from USB/LAN/SD-Card possible, and act more like a PC (that is with a BIOS like system), that isn't too difficult or expensive to implement, and I mentioned it to the other Moderators and staffers years ago, but nothing was done with it. Another tip I gave, to have a "power good" logic implemented was picked up though.

The solution I'm proposing is adding a small serial 8-pin SPI EEPROM containing the "extended bootcode & BIOS", and a tiny bit of logic that enables the serial EEPROM instead of the SD-Card, just after power on, after which the EEPROM is disabled and the SD-card re-takes its place, (emulating an SD-card with a SPI EEPROM is possible because of the fact that initially all SD-cards use SPI mode, before optionally switching over to 4-bit mode) j.

However I'm not sure it will work, as the bootcode needs to use SPI mode to fetch the initial boot file, if it tries to fetch it using 4-bit mode then this method will fail. However seen the fact that the boot file reader code is/must be very simple it is not unreasonable to expect it will use the initial SPI mode only.

One of the great advantages is that the "extended bootcode & BIOS", code can immediately start generating a standard (640 x 480 VGA, or PAL/NTSC) video signal, and can signal if and why it cant read the actual boot medium. Preventing many "why cant I boot my PI" cases. Because, lets face it, many people expect their PI to generate video the moment they turn it on, just like all previous computers did.

The system can still be made "unbrickable", in the rare case the serial EEPROM becomes corrupted you could use a jumper to bypass the "select on power-on" logic, and boot like it is done now.

[Boot_From_USB_Please]

Lower you expectations and learn how to get the most out of the Raspbian Pi and Raspbian, or sell it and move on if it is not for you a 10" Android Tablet is only a £100.00 in the UK.

@fruitoftheloom,

The Raspberry Pi 2 is a wonderful little machine and the number 1 reason I bought it is to learn how to program and it is performing this task perfectly. The GPIO is formidable and allows you to immediately communicate with electronic projects. I will never go back to Microsoft and conventional PC's. Microsoft-Intel machines are hostile when it comes to learn how to program or to do what you want with your machine.

Raspbian and Epiphany were not designed for a smooth rich-content web browsing. It keeps crashing. I feel that with Ubuntu on a USB stick I will be able to turn my Raspberry Pi 2 into the PC of my dream.

I'm staying with my Raspberry Pi 2, I like everything about it, even the problems it gives me.

[gkreidl]

An USB stick won't help you. Consider using an USB HDD instead.

Ubuntu is not faster in any way - it's basically Debian unstable rebranded - and it will miss hardware acceleration.

The only advantage right now is, that is has newer versions of libraries and programs but that will soon change with the migration to Jessie. And newer doesn't always mean better or even faster.

[fruitoftheloom]

PC of my dream.

That is to high an expectation as you clearly state you want it to perform like an x86 PC from within the last decade

Regards browsing try kweb viewtopic.php?f=66&t=40860


HOWTO reduce epiphany-browser crashes

viewtopic.php?f=66&t=118118

[Boot_From_USB_Please]

PC of my dream.
That is to high an expectation as you clearly state you want it to perform like an x86 PC from within the last decade

I never said that, all I want it to do is to stop crashing. When it stops crashing, I will be happy with my Raspberry Pi 2. I will try the links you provided and see if it fixes my problem.