Thread: HOWTO - Simple 10.04 Persistant Install TO USB drive.

okay, i'm doing memory, won't forget steps.

used 10.04 "alternative" iso. i'm assuming start in windows. used 16g usb persistent install.

1. download iso.

2. use "unetbootin" make usb 1 (i used 4g) installer drive. (you make boot cd instead if wanted. netbook doesn't have cd did way.)

3. boot usb 1 (or cd).

4. after install has started, insert usb 2 slot.

tricky part...

5. when part partitioning, choose "manual". should see 2 drives (if not, go back, previous screen , remove/re-insert usb 2 , try again. if still can't see it, stop here - fail).

first in list computer's hard drive. not make changes hard drive! if mistake, don"t save. go , come @ again.

should see usb 2 drive /dev/sdb or /dev/sdc (usually...ymmv).

6. remove partitions on usb 2 drive.

7. decide size partitions be. make new primary partition windows use (if want partition windows can see.) choose filesystem fat32 , mount point /windows. (i made partition 10g.) partition should not bootable.

important:
make windows accessible partition *first* partition on usb drive! have win7 - not read partition unless first partition. wanted format it. when tried that, formatted first partition (which ubuntu ext4 partition - bye bye ubuntu install). if make fat32 partition first partition win7 won't have problem it.

8. make primary partition ubuntu installed to. made 4g size. choose filesystem ext4 , mount "/". make partition bootable.

9. make partition swap. used 2g (the remaining space). choose logical (extended? can't remember) not primary. choose filesystem swap.

10. save , proceed , inform format fat32 , ext4 , other thing swap. make sure partitions on usb formatted. (i.e., don't format windows drive mistake.)

(if have dual-boot system me, @ point, tell going format swap partition on hard drive - won't hurt long thing on hard drive gets formatted.)

11. proceed install. ask if want install grub - yes. install grub usb 2 drive. find windows install (and lunix if have dual-boot me) , add them grub menu on usb drive - can remove manually later if want.

12. finish install , reboot. remove usb 1 , boot usb 2. should give new grub menu. boot ubuntu , tada! it's persistent!

have 2g free on ubuntu ext4 partition, , whatever size chose on windows partition. might want make shortcut on desktop /windows directory:

cd /home/<your user name>/desktop
ln -s /windows windows_files


if helps anybody, owe me beer.

very important, @ end of partitioning must select advanced tab , tell install grub @ root of usb flash disk, (ie sdb , not sdb1).
if not overwrite mbr of internal hdd , require usb drive plugged in boot it.
can become annoyance if contains windows boot loader.
check format box on ext partitions not fat32 one.
there not option format swap space.

might not hurt add option adding separate ext2 "/home" partition also.
can use primary swap partition logical ok.

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