Boot from USB without use of SD card at all?

Question

I have a raspberry pi whose SD card slot is broken so I cannot change the boot options at all like YouTube tutorials say, is there a way to boot my device from a USB without the use of an SD card?

Thanks

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 23 '18 at 13:20

6

The Pi3B+ is pre-configured for USB boot. The Pi3B needs one-time configuration. All other models need an SD card at all times.

So if you have a Pi3B+ the answer is yes. Just follow the 'older' tutorials minus the one-time configuration bit.

answered Sep 23 '18 at 13:20

Dirk

3,541
3
18
25

I am not sure which one I have, how can I tell – Jonathan Sep 23 '18 at 13:21
It's the only one with the metal capped processor and wifi chips. It also says Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+on the PCB near the GPIO – Dirk Sep 23 '18 at 13:24
Try to have a look inside the card slot to see if pins are bent. Apparently that has happened to users before – Dirk Sep 23 '18 at 13:27
1

If you can get hold of a soldering iron (the right way, mind), you wouldn't be the first: https://daniel.molkentin.net/2013/03/14/replacing-the-sd-card-reader-on-a-raspberry-pi-for-2-50-euros/ – Gerard H. Pille Sep 23 '18 at 13:31
I am not seeing any pin bendage what does happen though when I put the SD card in is that it just pops out – Jonathan Sep 23 '18 at 13:32
If you have a Pi3B you could just hold the card in the slot for the one-time configuration. If it's an older model then you can put a card with just bootcode.bin in the slot and put some tape or so over the top to keep it in place. Both boot and root can still be on USB. – Dirk Sep 23 '18 at 13:35
I have already tried the tape method and it just seems to break the tape – Jonathan Sep 23 '18 at 13:37
Another suggestion I have seen is to put some tape on the card itself to increase the friction. – Dirk Sep 23 '18 at 13:57
Just found out what model it is: Pi 2 Model B just use the tape method for that? – Jonathan Sep 23 '18 at 15:08
Yes, if you can make the card stick you should be OK. You could use the card i the 'classical' way or use 'bootcode.bin on SD card with full system on USB device' method (I would use the bootcode.bin method) – Dirk Sep 23 '18 at 15:52
Raspberry Pi Documentation - How to boot from a USB mass storage device – Fabian Sep 24 '18 at 10:06

Boot from USB without use of SD card at all?

1 Answers1