Where can you get 'bootable' SD cards?

[Hello111]

I am really struggling to find any bootable SD cards.  I am going to a specialist (in computers, not SD cards!) shop next weekend, but just in case the do not have any,can someone please give a link to a reliable seller online?

Thanks.

[Tass]

Any SD card can be made bootable - you don't need a special one.  Apparently this card is reported to be quite reliable:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/.....4674 ... 419060.htm

Once you have the card, follow the instructions to apply the image to the SD card and it will be made bootable.

[RaTTuS]

all SD cards can be made bootable

check Amazon for 8Gb ones [or 4Gb ] see class 6 ones

[itimpi]

There is no such thing as a "bootable" SD card as something special. What you need is a compatible SD card with one of the downloadable images written to it as per instructions. As far as we know most class 4 or class 6 SD cards should be compatible - avoid the newer class 10 cards as they could well have problems.

[Hello111]

Oh... right.  Sorry.  I think that should be made just abit more clear in wiki for beginners, even if it is just a sentence saying 'Your SD card will become bootable when you upload the image on to it.'

Thanks for that.

[Chris.Rowland]

Do you mean a SD card that already has the Raspberry Pi operating system loaded on it?

If so that's not available yet, you need to download an image of the card and burn the image to it yourself.

Most SD cards will do, I would start with a 4Gb class 4 or class 6 SanDisk. Try any reputable supplier.

[Joe Schmoe]

I think it is fair to say that, in the OP's terminology, the term "bootable" means "able to be booted on my RPi".  This is not the usual meaning of the word "bootable" in hacker circles, which is largely derived from aspects of the traditional X86/Windows hardware/software world.

So, indeed, there is such a thing as a bootable SD card (in this sense) and it appears that, for whatever reasons (*), some people's SD cards are not bootable.

(*) Either a) bad SD card or b) problems getting the image onto the card.  And, you do have to admit, that the fact that you get nothing on the screen if your SD card ain't right (something I learned just in the last day or two), is disconcerting.

[jamesh]

Joe Schmoe said:


I think it is fair to say that, in the OP's terminology, the term "bootable" means "able to be booted on my RPi".  This is not the usual meaning of the word "bootable" in hacker circles, which is largely derived from aspects of the traditional X86/Windows hardware/software world.

So, indeed, there is such a thing as a bootable SD card (in this sense) and it appears that, for whatever reasons (*), some people's SD cards are not bootable.

(*) Either a) bad SD card or b) problems getting the image onto the card.  And, you do have to admit, that the fact that you get nothing on the screen if your SD card ain't right (something I learned just in the last day or two), is disconcerting.


For bootable, read compatible. All compatible SD cards are capable of being made bootable.

Not sure anything can be done about a blank screen if there is either no SD card present, or a non/badly-imaged one is inserted. Without the bootcode on the SD card, the device isn't going to be able to display anything.

[mahjongg]

I also think its was fair to assume hello111 was simply asking were he could obtain an SD-Card that was pre-programmed with an OS, not everybody has a PC with a card reader to go the "do it yourself route", some people have no other option than to try to obtain a ready to use card.

Perhaps it sounds strange -now- to ask for a real-life place where you can buy such a thing, but it may be possible in the near future, when raspis become more common.

[RaTTuS]

the foundation will be doing so later AIUI

[XAPBob]

You could also talk to you local linux users group.

Just google your town and "lug" and you'll probably find a slightly odd bunch of people who will be only too willing to help.