have two usb sticks (same size). stick1 has a bootable ubuntu

Try
> dd if=/dev/stick1 of=/dev/stick2
and see if it does the same thing

if you have ubuntu just use the graphical usb format program, so much better and safer than using dd

>>58038945
I have exactly the same USB stick. Its so cute.

File: uganda.png (239KB, 393x573px) Image search: [Google]

239KB, 393x573px

>>58038945
You can buy bootable Linux DVDs at your local newspaper kiosk.

Oftentimes these ship with several different flavours which you can select form the GRUB menu of them.

Probably more reasonable when you still are a noob.

>>58038945
That's very odd.
Did this >>58039706 make a difference?
If so, you might need to set the boot flag, or write the MBR to it.

>>58040908

>...safer than using dd

what do you mean by safer?

>>58042014

shouldn't using dd copy the mbr?
also, if i open the image file created by dd with a hex editor (e.g. xxd) how can i see if it contains the mbr?

>>58040935
or just buy Redhat Enterprise Linux(R) and get a certified technician to install it for you. much more reasonable IMO

>>58043607

first 512 bytes

>>58038945
Maybe your stick2 is broken.