Slowly weaning off Windows and finding tools and apps to replace the Windows ones. Instead of using Rufus and Windows, and using the same USB, successfully flashed and booted Zorin Lite twice with Popsicle AppImage, and Windows 10 twice with WoeUSB. Used Popsicle as an AppImage instead of a package to avoid any conflicts with Zorin.
Then tried Ventoy for the third time, using the same ISOs, USB and PC, but failed again. Got as far as the boot menu, which showed Windows 10 and Zorin Lite, but after selecting Zorin Lite, got an error message, so backed out. The only thing can think of why this may be happening is probably the PC: a Dell OptiPlex 9010, which has both Legacy and UEFI firmware. There seems to be some sort of conflict with Ventoy.
Might try Ventoy again at a later date with Zorin 18 and a newer PC - but then again, maybe not. Thrice bitten might be one too many.
Wiped out a USB trying to clean up Ventoy and ended up with a completely empty drive with no name or GBs. Switched to Windows and used DiskPart to recover, and it worked! Saved 5 bucks.
I've had some bad experiences with Ventoy as well. I think there must be something about how the ISO itself works because the same USB seems to work fine with some, but not others. I don't know for sure, just a thought.
In case you're interested in doing this in Linux, you can use the gdisk command:
Run it with the device that you want to format, then run o to create a new empty partition table. To actually write the changes to the drive and make changes permanent, type w.
I love Popsicle, its the best ISO burner I've used. Its light weight, and it works everytime. I can't say the same for Balena Etcher, as its known to actually kill USB drives.
I never could get Rescuezilla to open using Ventoy .... it will load but not open .... however I have 5 other ISO that will so it is no big deal I just loaded Rescuezilla on a separate thumb drive ..... problem solved ....
