USB Install Fails, Complains about CD-ROM

I have a Dell Latitude E7250 laptop. I'm trying to install Debian to it using a USB stick.

I've tried both of these .ISOs:

debian-9.4.0-amd64-xfce-CD-1.iso

debian-buster-DI-alpha2-amd64-xfce-CD-1.iso

I used my desktop Debian box to download these via Firefox from https://www.debian.org/CD/http-ftp/

I inserted a USB stick, and ran:

# sudo cp debian-9.4.0-amd64-xfce-CD-1.iso /dev/sdc

as per the instructions at https://www.debian.org/CD/faq/#write-usb

I then ejected the USB stick from my desktop Debian box, and inserted it into the laptop, and then booted the laptop to the USB stick.

The graphical install does not seem to recognize the trackpad (which is recognized in the laptop's EFI firmware settings, so I know it works), but that's a minor issue, as I can tinker with that later, and just use the keyboard to install for now.

The real problem is that after going through the first three or four screens, the install halts, complaining about not being able to read the CD-ROM.

Googling the issue suggested a couple of possible fixes, but I've had no success yet.

Any help?

Thanks!

Kent West <")))><
Westing Peacefully - http://kentwest.blogspot.com

Reply to: