Incorrect USB drive formatting

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 81 views

Introduction

Installing Ubuntu 18 alongside Windows 10 can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to bootloaders. In this article, we will explore the common issue of "invalid buffer alignment" when trying to install Ubuntu 18 using Grub2. We will also provide a step-by-step guide on how to resolve this issue and successfully install Ubuntu 18 in dual boot with Windows 10.

Understanding the Error

The "invalid buffer alignment" error occurs when the Grub2 bootloader is unable to properly align the buffer it uses to store data. This can happen when the partition table is not properly configured or when the USB drive is not formatted correctly. In your case, you have created a USB drive using Rufus in GPT mode, which is a good start.

Symptoms of the Error

When you try to install Ubuntu 18, you may encounter the following symptoms:

The installation process freezes or hangs
The Grub2 bootloader is not installed correctly
The system fails to boot after installation

Causes of the Error

There are several reasons why you may encounter the "invalid buffer alignment" error when installing Ubuntu 18:

Incorrect partition table: If the partition table is not properly configured, the Grub2 bootloader may not be able to properly align the buffer.
Incorrect USB drive formatting: If the USB drive is not formatted correctly, the Grub2 bootloader may not be able to properly align the buffer.
Conflicting bootloaders: If there are multiple bootloaders installed on the system, they may conflict with each other and cause the "invalid buffer alignment" error.

Resolving the Error

To resolve the "invalid buffer alignment" error, you can try the following steps:

Step 1: Check the Partition Table

Before installing Ubuntu 18, make sure that the partition table is properly configured. You can use the fdisk command to check the partition table:

sudo fdisk -l

This will display the partition table, including the disk label, partition type, and start and end sectors.

Step 2: Format the USB Drive

Make sure that the USB drive is formatted correctly. You can use the mkfs command to format the USB drive:

sudo mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1

Replace /dev/sdb1 with the actual device name of the USB drive.

Step 3: Install Grub2

After formatting the USB drive, you can install Grub2 using the following command:

sudo grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot/efi --bootloader-id=GRUB

This will install Grub2 on the USB drive.

Step 4: Update the Grub2 Configuration

After installing Grub2, you need to update the Grub2 configuration file:

sudo update-grub

This will update the Grub2 configuration file to include the new bootloader.

Step 5: Reboot the System

After updating the Grub2 configuration file, you need to reboot the system:

sudo reboot

This will reboot the system and allow you to boot into Ubuntu 18.

Conclusion

The "invalid buffer alignment" error can be a frustrating issue when trying to install Ubuntu 18. However, by following the steps outlined in this article, you can resolve this issue and successfully install Ubuntu 18 in dual boot with Windows 10. Remember to check the partition table, format the USB drive, install Grub2, update the Grub2 configuration file, and reboot the system to resolve the error.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter any issues during the installation process, here are some troubleshooting tips to help you resolve the problem:

Check the system logs: You can check the system logs to see if there are any error messages related to the "invalid buffer alignment" error.
Check the Grub2 configuration file: You can check the Grub2 configuration file to see if it is properly configured.
Check the partition table: You can check the partition table to see if it is properly configured.
Check the USB drive: You can check the USB drive to see if it is properly formatted.

Additional Resources

If you need more information on how to install Ubuntu 18 or how to resolve the "invalid buffer alignment" error, here are some additional resources to help you:

Ubuntu 18 Installation Guide: This is a comprehensive guide on how to install Ubuntu 18.
Grub2 Documentation: This is the official documentation for Grub2, which includes information on how to install and configure Grub2.
Ubuntu Forums: This is a community-driven forum where you can ask questions and get help from other Ubuntu users.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the common issue of "invalid buffer alignment" when trying to install Ubuntu 18 using Grub2. We also provided a step-by-step guide on how to resolve this issue and successfully install Ubuntu 18 in dual boot with Windows 10. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to the "invalid buffer alignment" error and provide additional troubleshooting tips.

Q: What is the "invalid buffer alignment" error?

A: The "invalid buffer alignment" error occurs when the Grub2 bootloader is unable to properly align the buffer it uses to store data. This can happen when the partition table is not properly configured or when the USB drive is not formatted correctly.

Q: What are the symptoms of the "invalid buffer alignment" error?

A: The symptoms of the "invalid buffer alignment" error include:

The installation process freezes or hangs
The Grub2 bootloader is not installed correctly
The system fails to boot after installation

Q: What are the causes of the "invalid buffer alignment" error?

A: The causes of the "invalid buffer alignment" error include:

Incorrect partition table: If the partition table is not properly configured, the Grub2 bootloader may not be able to properly align the buffer.
Incorrect USB drive formatting: If the USB drive is not formatted correctly, the Grub2 bootloader may not be able to properly align the buffer.
Conflicting bootloaders: If there are multiple bootloaders installed on the system, they may conflict with each other and cause the "invalid buffer alignment" error.

Q: How do I resolve the "invalid buffer alignment" error?

A: To resolve the "invalid buffer alignment" error, you can try the following steps:

Step 1: Check the Partition Table

Before installing Ubuntu 18, make sure that the partition table is properly configured. You can use the fdisk command to check the partition table:

sudo fdisk -l

This will display the partition table, including the disk label, partition type, and start and end sectors.

Step 2: Format the USB Drive

Make sure that the USB drive is formatted correctly. You can use the mkfs command to format the USB drive:

sudo mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1

Replace /dev/sdb1 with the actual device name of the USB drive.

Step 3: Install Grub2

After formatting the USB drive, you can install Grub2 using the following command:

sudo grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot/efi --bootloader-id=GRUB

This will install Grub2 on the USB drive.

Step 4: Update the Grub2 Configuration

After installing Grub2, you need to update the Grub2 configuration file:

sudo update-grub

This will update the Grub2 configuration file to include the new bootloader.

Step 5: Reboot the System

After updating the Grub2 configuration file, you need to reboot the system:

sudo reboot

This will reboot the system and allow you to boot into Ubuntu 18.

Q: What if I encounter issues during the installation process?

A: If you encounter issues during the installation process, here are some troubleshooting tips to help you resolve the problem:

Check the system logs: You can check the system logs to see if there are any error messages related to the "invalid buffer alignment" error.
Check the Grub2 configuration file: You can check the Grub2 configuration file to see if it is properly configured.
Check the partition table: You can check the partition table to see if it is properly configured.
Check the USB drive: You can check the USB drive to see if it is properly formatted.

Q: What are some additional resources for installing Ubuntu 18?

A: If you need more information on how to install Ubuntu 18 or how to resolve the "invalid buffer alignment" error, here are some additional resources to help you:

Ubuntu 18 Installation Guide: This is a comprehensive guide on how to install Ubuntu 18.
Grub2 Documentation: This is the official documentation for Grub2, which includes information on how to install and configure Grub2.
Ubuntu Forums: This is a community-driven forum where you can ask questions and get help from other Ubuntu users.

Conclusion

The "invalid buffer alignment" error can be a frustrating issue when trying to install Ubuntu 18. However, by following the steps outlined in this article and using the troubleshooting tips provided, you can resolve this issue and successfully install Ubuntu 18 in dual boot with Windows 10. Remember to check the partition table, format the USB drive, install Grub2, update the Grub2 configuration file, and reboot the system to resolve the error.