Linux How to run Linux from my Pendrive

[baccilus]

I have a 4GB Pen drive and I wish to install Linux on it so that I can use it any where. Which will be best for that? I currently use Linux Mint 4.0 at home.

I should be able to make persistent image with it, meaning I should be able to save my settings.

There should be profiles so that if I need to use it on the same computer again and again, it should not search for the right drivers every time.

Should run on computers with 256 MB ram. Computers in my college have just that much.

 

[Tanuj]

Boot and run Linux from a USB flash memory stick | USB Pen Drive Linux

Check this out.

 

[baccilus]

I am now installing it on my pendrive by this method

BTW, Has any one ever used a Pendrive Linux? Is it as slow as a Live CD? Will it run fine on a computer with just 256MB RAM?

 

[Pat]

^^ Depends on which distro you use! Technically speaking, it should be faster than a live system on cd!

 

[rapt0r]

Make 4 partitions , first 2.6 gb data partition ( fat32 ) . second one for ubuntu live cd files ( around 800 mb ) and 500 mb third partition for persistent image . Best part is that when u plug it in any windows pc , it will only show first 2.6 gb partition and ur other 2 partitions are completely hidden . Use gparted/fdisk in linux for making partition and keep second partition as active one . You can get loads of tutorials on ubuntu site and pendrivelinux.com .

 

[Gaurish]

I would suggest

Home Page | Puppy Linux

Sabayon Linux Project Website

Knoppix Linux

 

[baccilus]

I tried the Pendrive linux and did everything as told in hereInstall Pendrivelinux 2008 using Linux | USB Pen Drive Linux

But my computer is not booting. I am going to try the Puppy Linux from the site suggested by Gaurish.

Thanks raptor for your suggestion. Noted.

 

[Dark Star]

Yea Sabayon Linux and Dream Linux do allow option to install OS to pen drive and so does upcoming Ubuntu You can even check this New Mandriva Flash 2008 Spring 8GB- A 3D Desktop in your pocket - Mandriva Store This product has lots opf great option such ezboot and all Wait for few days and everything will be updated whether its Mandriva or Ubuntu

P.s : I would suggest you to stay away from LIVE USB if you insists on using that Drive daily , as installing OS on Flash drive will increase the random read/write spins and will eventually decrease USB Pen Drive life or even can result in dead drive

 

[baccilus]

I will be using it for just an hour or two in a day. Actually, in my college most of the computers don't work because of corrupted windows. And it's very difficult to get a chance to use the ones which do work. With a Pen drive linux install;

1. I will have so many computers all to myself.

2. If I am able to configure internet on it, I think I will be allowed to install Linux on many of those computers. Their windows license expired years ago. I couldn't configure the internet correctly the last time I installed Ubuntu in my college computer after working so hard to convince everyone :-(. I finally had to remove it.

 

[viralbug]

are your college computers new or old? if they are some what old their motherboards might not support booting from usb.

 

[baccilus]

They are old. They have Intel 845 original Motherboards. I don't know if they would support booting from USB.

 

[shr1k]

use any popular Linux distro's ISO image and UNetBootIn..worked like charm for me

 

[viralbug]

i think 845 supports usb booting. be sure to check in bios and set usb to boot before hard drive.

 

[Dark Star]

use any popular Linux distro's ISO image and UNetBootIn..worked like charm for me

Undoubtly one of the simplest way if the OS didn't ship a Pen Drive installer Check a guide based on same software How to Run Linux from an USB Flash Drive - In 5 minutes! - Softpedia

 

[baccilus]

Thanks SHR1K. I am going to try your idea now. I tried Knoppix 5.1.1 as told in pendrive Linux website but it wasn't successful. Refused to boot. Just said, "this is not a bootable disk. Please insert a bootable floppy"

 

[baccilus]

Mission accomplished( atleast the installation and booting part).

That UnetBootin program worked like makkhan. Thanks.

I have observed that these live distro's work much faster from Pendrives than they from CD drive. It's as fast as hard disk install. May be that's because my 3GB RAM but CD live Distro slow down quite a bit while cd is spinning down or up.

 

[viralbug]

^ great. yeah its pretty fast. i have a mandriva (full) installation on my usb hard drive and i feel no difference.

 

[baccilus]

There is one odd thing I learnt in my attempt to install a Linux distro on my 4G pendrive- Windows XP can only recognize and mount the first partion of the Pendrive. So if you want to install Linux on Pen drive but also want to keep some space for regular use, Make three partions. First one for Data, second for Linux installation and third for the persistent image. 2nd and third can be interchanged though. Because of this shortcoming in XP( and Vista too), your Linux will always be safe.

 

[Dark Star]

Great ! So you have installed it successfully. It seems that my old pen drive will work as a great source Which OS did you installed ?

 

[baccilus]

I installed Knoppix 5.1.1. Although it's not in the List of supported OS by unetbootin, it installed and started working in no time. I have made three partions. First for regular data(~2.4GB) that can be accessed through Windows too, second for Knoppix(~900MB) and third for the Persistent image partion(~~400MB).

It works like a charm. All my settings for the system, passwords, bookmarks and even installed add ons on Firefox are being saved.