Problem creating Bootable USB Drive for El C using Diskmaker X.

[brockhill]

I have followed the Diskmaker X process to create a bootable USB Drive for EL Capitan using DX version 5.0.1; all seems well and the drive is created and shows up in the finder. My problem is that it does not show up a "Start Up Disk" nor it does come up when I reboot and hold down the option key. I have tried several other USB drives and get the same problem.

Any help much appreciated,

 

[Rod]

Try the Disk Utility method of creating a bootable installer found here;
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/how-clean-...an-10-11-via-bootable-usb-flash-drive-1521992

 

[IWT]

Or this method which is very similar to that mentioned by Rod, but arguably easier:

http://osxdaily.com/2015/09/30/crea...mail&utm_campaign=Feed:+osxdaily+(OS+X+Daily)

Ian

 

[harryb2448]

DiskmakerX asks for a USB thumb drive of 8GB. is that what you are using? The process erases and formats the thumb drive prior to installing El Capitan to the thumb drive.

 

[chas_m]

If you're not using a USB 3.0 thumb drive, it's going to take a LOOOONG time for any USB 2.0 thumb drive to show up as a bootable volume. Perhaps that is the issue?

 

[harryb2448]

Yes chas m all of three minutes.

 

[cradom]

And if your thumb drive is larger than 8 gig use the "Another kind of disk" button.

 

[chas_m]

Harryb: three minutes is AN ETERNITY in the age of USB 3 and SSD.

 

[SleeperSS]

Not to hijack, but it concerns making a bootable USB. I have followed the instructions to the letter. When I am finished typing in the code and hit enter it asks for my password…that's where it stops. It will not allow me to enter the password. I am using a 16GB usb drive and I notice cradom said to use the "Another kind of disc" button….not sure where that is.a Any help here??

 

[MacInWin]

In terminal your password is not displayed, nor are there any indications of the typing--no asterisks, the cursor doesn't move. Just type it carefully and it should work.

 

[SleeperSS]

In terminal your password is not displayed, nor are there any indications of the typing--no asterisks, the cursor doesn't move. Just type it carefully and it should work.

I have typed, cussed retyped and now I can't even get the Password prompt…just Command not found.

 

[harryb2448]

My Bible implies Eternity to be a tad longer than three minutes chas!

 

[cradom]

I have typed, cussed retyped and now I can't even get the Password prompt…just Command not found.

In this thread the OP is using an app called "DiskMakerX", not Terminal. In that app is a button for what kind of drive you're using.
That being said, MacInWin is correct, using the Terminal command and typing in the password, you wont see any feedback while typing, but it's taking it.
Also, using the Terminal command, some sites are using it for the BETA install so the path wont be correct hence the command wont be correct.
You're probably better off using the app.

 

[SleeperSS]

Thanks...I'll give that a try

 

[MacInWin]

Craig, in post #2 and #3, two methods of creating the drive were pointed to. Both require terminal, which is why I gave him the advice about password. His description of the password problem seemed to be a fit for how Terminal works. I tried the App, didn't work, went back to the Terminal commands, worked great. YMMV.

 

[cradom]

I know it's just the few web sites I came across about creating one for El Cap were for the beta which meant the Path in the command was incorrect, names were different.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with using Terminal, assuming you know your way around, at least a little bit. If I had followed those two links and saw what they were this thread would probably be a few posts shorter

 

[SleeperSS]

I tried multiple times with Terminal..no joy. I tried Disk Maker. It did install on the usb drive but failed when I tried to launch it. I finally said ehh and installed it from the down load. Had an issue with my printer but a d/l from Apple solved it...so far.

Thanks for all of the help...I'm sure I'll need more...Airport Extreme is next..

 

[cradom]

Did you boot from the USB drive? You cant just "launch it" while the drive is mounted.

 

[harryb2448]

Connet the thumb drive, when it appears on the desktop, reboot, hold down 'C' after the chime.

 

[chas_m]

Just as a data point I upgraded to the latest version of Diskmaker, and it created a successful boot disk of El Cap for me in about eight minutes or so. No terminal action required.