Description

This article describes the process to solve one of the issues we may face when formatting a Juniper Device.

Symptoms

You may see the following error:


  • gzip: stdin: invalid compressed data--format violated
  • tar: Unexpected EOF in archive
  • tar: Unexpected EOF in archive
  • tar: Error is not recoverable: exiting now
  • Bug in initramfs /init detected. Dropping to a shell. Good luck!


Solution

The error refers that the bootable USB was not created correctly or it has corrupted information; therefore, the process cannot continue.

In order to solve this, you need to create the bootable USB again. Suggested steps: try using a different USB and download the file again in case it is damaged.

Modification History

2025-09-30 : Article Created