Trouble Creating SD Cards

[bonio]

Hi
I'm having issues trying to create a bootable SD card for my Pi.

I bought the Pi with a card and all is well it boots just fine. I have several different makes of card and although I have followed the instructions on this and other sites if I try to create a card using my windows PC they wont boot.

Im using windows32diskimager and the latest OS downloaded from here.

If I use my Macbook to create an SD card with PiFiller it works fine on all the cards. I thought it might be my card reader on the PC so I bought a new one, same problem. I turn the Pi on, the red light comes on, the green light blinks once and nothing happens.

Im using Win 7 64bit. Obviously Im not stuck as I can use the Mac but I am curious as to what the problem is.

TIA

[FTrevorGowen]

Hi bonio,
A number of other posts/threads have reported similar issues with SD cards written via "windows32diskimager" (or equivalent). At the same time respondents have stated "I've had no problem with version ...." (or similar). I've flagged up SDHC compatibility issues with older netbooks, which I see you've already checked. The only other point mentioned is writing as an "administrator". I would also add ensure you've "safely removed". However, as yet, there is no obvious pattern.
In your case, since you're using a 64-bit m/c and, I suspect, the "32" in the program's name implies 32-bit, that may be an issue. I wonder if running some form of checksum or similar on the (contents of) the first (fat32) partition of cards written by both of the methods you've used will show up anything. Another possibility is to try a Ubuntu or Debian bootable "Live-distro" on CD. Such should have the basic, command-line "dd" capability and may also have "ImageWriter", the tool I use on my dual-boot Ubuntu/XP netbook + integral SDHC reader/writer "stick".
Also curious, Trev.

[bonio]

I'll keep trying just in case I can come up with an answer.

I have tried running it as admin and also tried writing them from a 32 bit virtual XP machine using open box.

[DirkS]

Maybe try a different program? I've used USB Image Tool (http://www.alexpage.de/usb-image-tool/download/) without problems on 32 and 64bit machines.
(you still have to start it as admin!).

gr.
Dirk.

[thomzendk]

I have just the same problem.

I use a Windows8 machine.. But my problem changes a little, because i can install and run the images from http://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads section, but if i go for special ones like http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewt ... 1&p=285246 it only shows power, and the ACT blinks once when powered on, and thats it.. ;(

Trying out a new computer, ill return and tell if it helps...

[bonio]

I've fixed my problem by using 7zip to extract the image rather than using widows own extractor.

[thomzendk]

Hmm, i did use 7zip for extracting...

But will try another extraction tool, thanks for the tip!