Kali Linux NOT installing, Live boot not working

gemma.jakob · Aug 17, 2017

Hey, so I've been using Kali for a while now as a virtual image on VirtualBox, on my Linux Fedora KDE. Which is terrible, because Kali won't even work without be turning off Secure Boot, which defeats the purpose...

So I figured I'll create another bootable USB like I did with Fedora before. For Fedora I used Fedora media writer and it worked just fine, as I installed Fedora on an old desktop as main OS.

I then tried creating a bootable USB stick with "Win32DiskImager."

I plugged that into my other Desktop which is running Fedora. Hit F12 for boot options. Under UEFI I don't get any options really, but under Legacy it lists my USB stick.

So then I boot with the USB stick and get greeted with the familiar Kali installer, giving me multiple options.
I then chose graphical install and once I go through language and country selection I get this message:
"there was a problem reading data from the cd-rom."
So that doesn't work.
Then I tried the live version. That runs for 3 seconds and brings me back to the install screen with multiple options.
I've literally tried everything for 4 hours now and I can't seem to be able to install Kali as my main OS.
I am familiar with Kali, using it through virtualbox for school and hobby. But I am at a total loss, as to why I simply can't create a working bootable USB, when I've done that multiple times before with other OS...
I've seen many threads about this, but nothing seems to work for me?
Help would be much appreciated as my career and school depends on this.

skittle · Aug 18, 2017

because Kali won't even work without be turning off Secure Boot, which defeats the purpose...

Kali is not designed for newbies. Stick with Fedora.

gemma.jakob · Aug 18, 2017

skittle :

Well Thank you so much for your answer. Indeed is was really helpful. Did you not read my entire comment? I've been using Kali for a while through VirtualBox for SCHOOL and for a future JOB... I am also taking college and udemy classes... I just can't get it to live boot from a USB. Obviously I am not an idiot with Linux systems or Kali. I just can't figure out how to make it a bootable USB with Kali and either live boot or completely install it as main distribution.

So instead of saying "Kali is not designed for newbies", you could actually leave a productive comment and help out. Considering every "expert" started as a "newbie".

The Paladin · Aug 18, 2017

I then tried creating a bootable USB stick with "Win32DiskImager." isn't the best solution to make Kalli on a usb, go get RUFUS : http://rufus.akeo.ie/
I use it to make all sorts of Operating systems from Linux, o2warp, eos and more. never failed me

ex_bubblehead · Aug 18, 2017

You would be much better served in the Kali forums ( http://forums.kali.org/ )

McHenryB · Aug 18, 2017

Just as expert drivers don't start with a Ferrari, expert Linux users don't start with Kali. We all, indeed, have to start somewhere - with a suitable car (distribution).

gemma.jakob · Aug 18, 2017

The Paladin :

Thanks. I did get RUFUS before work this morning. I haven't gotten to it yet, just got home from work. I will definitely try it out. I saw those additional steps: 3. Create a folder /EFI/Boot in your USB (You now have some data of Kali Linux in your USB already). See Picture.

4. Download bootx64.efi, MokManager.efi (don't know if this is needed, but I just do it anyway), and grubx64.efi from here: ftp://mirrors.kernel.org/fedora/rele...4/os/EFI/BOOT/
then put them into /EFI/Boot folder you created in step 3.

5. Create a file named grub.cfg in /EFI/Boot in your USB with the following contents:
Note: You can download the file here too: grub.txt. But make sure you put it into /EFI/Boot folder in your USB along with the 3 files in step 4 and change the name to grub.cfg. See Picture.

Do you think that will do any good? I've created multiple other bootable USBs before. For Fedora I usually just use Fedora Media Writer.

gemma.jakob · Aug 18, 2017

McHenryB :

Right I totally get it. Hence I started with Fedora and have been using Kali through Virtual Box... ... ... ...

I am NOT asking how to USE Kali... I am asking how to set up the USB stick...

The Paladin · Aug 18, 2017

Kali isn't all that hard, Slackware now.. that's a learning curve... mind you it did help me get my Linux Admin diploma

nothing wrong with challenging one self. telling someone to use Fedora or Ubuntu or any other "windows styles Linux" is not learning the deep, the gut of what Linux is. and obviously he wants to learn.

now about that USB drive.
the instructions are there for a reason

skittle · Aug 18, 2017

I can't imagine any academic scenario where Kali is the preferred distribution and not something red hat or Debian based. And if you can't get a USB to boot ... And your comment on secure boot then it is only logical that you arrive at the same conclusion I do.

The Paladin · Aug 19, 2017

"I can't imagine any academic scenario where Kali is the preferred distribution and not something red hat or Debian based"

probably true now a days I will concede, but when I did mine, Debian wasn't around but only in development and Linux admin testing is on Linux command lines and security structures etc. not on the type of Linux nor the Gui interface your running on tops of it.

and for the record of this conversation "Kali Linux (formerly known as BackTrack) is a Debian-based distribution with a collection of security and forensics tools. " as per https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=kali"

skittle · Aug 19, 2017

probably true now a days I will concede, but when I did mine, Debian wasn't around but only in development and Linux admin testing is on Linux command lines and security structures etc. not on the type of Linux nor the Gui interface your running on tops of it.

Before Debian there wasn't much else around.

Besides what competent Linux 'admin' (OP can't make a bootable USB so i would hesitate to say he has any linux admin experience) would run Kali as their main OS?

McHenryB · Aug 19, 2017

The Paladin :

For the record of this conversation, here's what the Kali developers have to say:

Is Kali Linux Right For You?

As the distribution’s developers, you might expect us to recommend that everyone should be using Kali Linux. The fact of the matter is, however, that Kali is a Linux distribution specifically geared towards professional penetration testers and security specialists, and given its unique nature, it is NOT a recommended distribution if you’re unfamiliar with Linux or are looking for a general-purpose Linux desktop distribution for development, web design, gaming, etc.

Even for experienced Linux users, Kali can pose some challenges.

"Professional penetration testers and security specialists" - not students.

The Paladin · Aug 19, 2017

skittle, When I started with Slackware back in '88 I knew nothing of Linux, and yes the learning curve (as I presume kali's is) was quite difficult, but I persevered for 10-16 months, reading a lot of manuals and in the end ran a full blow secure server, web site, ftp server, chat server and file/movies server for my household. was it easy.. not by a long shot, but what is when you want to be deeply knowledgable about an OS? sure, Redhat or Debian would probably provide a good easier method, with easy kernel; upgrades and programs, but then he would not control the entire Linux OS byt not using the source code and compiling specifically he wants running and what is needed for the machines he's running.

point you made is a very valid one, but for the learning point, I think (and this is just my humble opinion as I have walked the walk) he's on the right path.

PS: I'm the Linux Admins he obviously isn't.

ex_bubblehead · Aug 19, 2017

Alright gentlemen, I think this has been taken quite far enough off topic. Take your argument elsewhere.

gemma.jakob · Sep 17, 2017

So I found my solution.

1. I used Rufus to create the the USB with Kali.

2. Something must have been corrupted with Kali Full, even when checking it like the website instructs.

I ended up doing the same thing, this time with Rufus, and instead of Kali Full, I installed Kali Light. Worked perfectly fine and I installed everything properly. Then I just went into the terminal and switched Kali Light to Kali full by getting the packages and updating/upgrading my system.

It works perfectly fine now, I got VirtualBox running smoothly, and I can finally continue my studies. Thanks for the tips though.

gemma.jakob · Sep 17, 2017

Asan additin, it had nothing to do with not knowing ho to create a live USB. I saw on someone else's thread, that he had problems with corrupted files. Hell, it could even be my connection out in the woods. I honestly don't know. Trying to use the Full Kali version just did not work for some reason.

However, the second I switched to using the Light version, it worked fine and went without any issues. Needless to say, I don't know what caused the problem. Thank you for telling me to use Rufus, that made it easier as well.

Kali Linux NOT installing, Live boot not working

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