Installing Zorin OS (through MacOS then to a PC)

Installing Zorin OS
1

I installed Zorin OS 18.1 and all was well until it said I had Error 5, which I think means the flashdrive is bad. It's brand new, but maybe it was a cheap one - Amazon.com: KEXIN 128GB USB C Flash Drive Dual Thumb Drive 100MB/s Swivel USB-A & Type-C USB Drive 3.0 Memory Stick for Smartphone Tablet iPhone 15/16/17 Car Game Console, 128GB Black : Electronics

I want to make sure it's bad before going through the process of returning and getting a different one.

Potentially the source of the issue is that I'm formatting the flashdrive on a Macbook Pro to then install Zorin OS on a PC that currently doesn't have an OS.

I'm using BelenaEtcher and all seems good except when I start up Zorin on the PC it says 1 error was found (even though BelenaEtcher says all is good).

I'm currently trying to install Zorin 17 in hopes it will work and then upgrade to 18.

I'm currently going through the process again, but my questions are:

  1. What format should the flashdrive be if I'm formatting it on OSX?
  2. Is there a BelenaEtcher alternative for OSX that can then be used to install Zorin on a PC?
  3. Maybe it is the flashdrive...is it?
2

Welcome to the Forum!

Instead of Etcher, You could try the Fedora Media Writer. And check on the Target PC if Secure Boot and Fast Boot in BIOS are disabled. Also if the BIOS is in UEFI or Legacy Mode. Switch to UEFI if possible.

For the Flash Drive: I don't know this Brand - which doesn't have to mean that it's bad. But when it shouldn't work with the above, maybe think about to use one from a known Brand. And a 32GB Stick would be more than enough, too.

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3

Did you verify that your download of Zorin is good? I would check that, or even try a new download and try again (after verifying). It could be an error with the ISO that you downloaded, potentially.

4

Considering I've downloaded Zorin OS 18.1 Core and Education and Zorin 17 and it's the same result each time...I don't think it's the iso file. It could be, but I kinda doubt it.
I'm leaning toward it being a bad flashdrive or an incorrect formatting of the flashdrive.

5

I formatted the flashdrive as exFAT Master Boot and I downloaded Fedora Media Writer.
I'm about an hour in to it writing. There's no suggested time remaining or a percentage complete, but it looks like maybe 2%.

Is it normally this slow? Or is this a sign that the flashdrive is indeed bad?

6

No, this should go faster. If You have somewhere a different USB Stick, You can use, try it with it instead.

7

I returned the Kexin flashdrive. It started giving me more issues the longer I used it. I would avoid that brand.
I bought a Kingston 64Gb and I was able to install everything easily.

I really like Zorin and even my mom who is 65 likes it. I'm glad I discovered it.

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8

Hi and welcome.

Don't forget to download the Unofficial Manual for Zorin 18 Core (still a work in prilogress):

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