Garuda - how to install it?

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I have just recently downlaoded a few Garuda Linux ISOs but I am having issues getting them onto a USB Drive.

For example, they seem to be arguing about needing to be done DD style and so I do that but then it kind of dumps a 4GB partition into the middle of the Flash disk and only then puts a few Megs onto it?

I then have to re-wipe the thing because its useless?

I use RUFUS as ususal, but I have also tried a few others... The Docs do say to use Rufus, but but does not seem to work?

I have an older version of Garuda and that installs just fine, but not the latest versions?

Im only wanting to play about thats all... They work in on a virtual machine, I just need to get the ISO onto a flash drive, preferably in GTP mode.

Thanks
 
What OS are you working in whilst trying to create the usb nstaller ? .Windows may not see the installer usb's Linux partition but will see the EFI/GPT partition as it'll be FAT32, that may well be the hundred or so MB you can see.

Is your Bios set to boot from UEFI ?

If I'm building a usb installer in Linux and it's binary based I tend to grab RPI-imager, which should be available via most package managers or just download directly and install.
 
I have just recently downlaoded a few Garuda Linux ISOs but I am having issues getting them onto a USB Drive.

For example, they seem to be arguing about needing to be done DD style and so I do that but then it kind of dumps a 4GB partition into the middle of the Flash disk and only then puts a few Megs onto it?

I then have to re-wipe the thing because its useless?

I use RUFUS as ususal, but I have also tried a few others... The Docs do say to use Rufus, but but does not seem to work?

I have an older version of Garuda and that installs just fine, but not the latest versions?

Im only wanting to play about thats all... They work in on a virtual machine, I just need to get the ISO onto a flash drive, preferably in GTP mode.

Thanks
Not used Rufus in years.
My daily driver is MacOS now but I just use https://etcher.balena.io/ for making bootable usb sticks. I've used this countless times whilst distro hopping and never had an issue.

Download the iso, fire up Belena and point it to the iso and it'll create a bootable usb stick. Your only hassle is getting into your BIOS's boot menu using f2,f8, f12 etc.
 
Ok guys, I will reply to all in one.

Firstly, the USB stick is absolutely fine. I do have a fairly stupidly large collection of them for various distros and windows versions, and yes, of MacOS too!
Its not the stick.

I am using Windows to flash the USB DRive, and, in typical idiot fashion, I have not even bothered trying to use a Linux computer to burn the thing, so that will be done shortly.

I am fully aware about using MBR or GTP mode in rufus, I have used Rufus for some time now and I have not had any issues with any version of Linux ( And I am a moron that tries many of them on one of my test PCs purely for the giggles ).

I have seen the warning about unsupported booters before, but thats usually with a naughty version of Windows, but these latest versions of Garuda are all forcing me to burn it in DD mode, and not ISO mode, and when it does, it does not work.

That small partition that I end up with, can be removed with Partition Wizard but not with Windows.
Normally, Rufus can and does get rid of the previous partitions and then makes the drive MBR or GTP and its fine, but it wont wipe that partition that it made for Garuda?

For the giggles, I am now re-downloading the Images, just in case they went weird ( They did not ) and I will try out the MacOS and also since the website does state about Rufus in Linux, I will try that too!

I would ask, if anyone can download Garuda Linux and try flashing it to a USB in Windows just to see if its just me?

But for now, thanks all.
 
I'll give it a try fella, and let you know - MBR/GPT ( guid partition table ).

-update

No issues at all, within Win 11, downloaded Rufus & 'KDE Dragonized Edition' . Rufus warns about it being a HybridISO and needs to be written in DD mode - only option was MBR, GPT wasn't selectable. Completed and booted fine to the LiveCD.

If you still can't get a bootable ISO using Rufus etc try creating a ventoy usb stick and put the Garuda iso in the 'iso folder'. Boot Venoty and select Garuda, see if that works for you.
 
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Yeah, I got the same - Hybrid in DD and only MBR.
Mine kept failing to boot from it though!

Obviously GTP is preferable, but hey ho.

Now, I did however use Linux to simply restore the Image to a Flashdrive, and after it finally did that ( My god, it was ridiculously slow ) I was able to boot on that flash drive, and get to teh desktop with it....

The thing is, that I was genuinely concerned at the speed... so much so, that I kind of thopught of just trying to get the theme from Garuda ( Cinnamon or KDE ) onto the Mint setup.

Plus, the Garuda site does say that it prefers GTP... Sure, I am ok with that, I just need a /boot/efi in fat32 as I have been doing for the last few installs, but MBR mode just means I have the / and swap on the SSD and /home on the HD.

ok so Ventoy? I will have a look... Its an ISO booter then I assume? I will have a play about with trying to work out why the hell thius is so slow first , or why Rufus on my setup wont let me use GTP mode when the ibnstructions do indeed state that you should use it. ( I know it works either way, but EFI mode will be preferable )

Thanks buddy.
 
Ok I thought I would update this as I have not been for a bit.

I grabbedd VENTOY and I have had a play with it... Very handy tool, so definitely glad I now know about it.

Whiole it did let me get around my issues, I did find that the installation was not as solid on that machine as I hoped. Im not blaming Garuda or Benyot on that... A few Distros do theexact same thing... Mocachinno and AlmaLinux both do the same thing in that they run just fine and then a minute or so after trying to do anything, the whole thing just hangs! - Garuda on the Ventoy install method also did the same thing.

On my older Linux Laptop, I have gone back top an earlier version of Mint ( That supports the GTX460M ) and on the newer Linux, I am just sticking to the latest Mint. After all, I keep on revertign back to mint , I dont know why I dont stick with it.
 
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