Running Kubuntu from a USB disk, persistant, is it possible?

[millusions]

hi,

Is it possible to do a proper full install onto a USB disk and to run it same was as one would a hard disk?

There is tons of info on this and it all seems to be slightly to moderatly different, most of it refers to live images off USB.
I had a go with a knoppix 4 gig iso (full monty), installed it onto a 32gb USB key, but its kinda unusual; / fs is fat32 and /KNOPPIX-DATA is reiserfs, the DATA section is the persistant partition the system is running as a live image sort of a thing.
it does work, and is more than fast enough, yet im still wondering if its possible to do a proper install on an ext4 formatted/paritioned usb of a running distro, not just a live image.

im trying to build a USB full distro with a virus scanner and full metal jacket of tools (pinch some from Kali too) , if that fails i'll fall back on external usb drive..
has anyone experience in this?

[Qqmike]

Try it! I didn't give this much thought until reading the post here. I'd say, Yes, it is possible. In fact, I'm sure I've done it many times. Using Ext3 or 4, say. It should be "persistent" because it is not a Live USB but rather a regular HD install with your /home, partitions, and so on, as usual. You could use MBR or GPT (setting this using, say, Gparted Live CD or gparted installed on your regular Kubuntu). And either Grub legacy or GRUB 2.

[Rog132]

Earlier...

Ubuntu installation guide: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation
--> LiveUsbPendrivePersistent: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LiveUsbPendrivePersistent

Introduction

It is possible to have Ubuntu or Kubuntu on a USB drive (AKA USB Stick or Thumb drive or Flash drive) or USB hard disk drive with persistent mode...

Kubuntu Forums - Minimal Bootable USB stick: https://www.kubuntuforums.net/showth...able-USB-stick

[woodsmoke]

HI
I've done usb versions of several Distros, and Kubuntu runs fine, I, personally, would get a relatively large usb just to have some loose space,and it is "quick" in operation and also in boot-up.

I've actually considered purchasing a machine with SSD just for grins and giggles.

woodsmoke

[vinnywright]

you can use the "startup disk creator" to make a live-USB with persistence , with the "startup disk creator" the USB stick must be FAT32 formated ,,,,,,,or do a "real" install to the USB stick in the usual way .

I have one Sandisk that has that U3 system on it (a virtual CD drive) that I used u3-tool (in the repo) to expand the size of the virtual cd drive and load a live CD/DVD .img to (Hiren's boot cd)+ a live system on the regular USB part with persistence.

when booting with it in and selecting the boot/to screen it shows as 2 separate drives

VINNY

[millusions]

HI
I've done usb versions of several Distros, and Kubuntu runs fine, I, personally, would get a relatively large usb just to have some loose space,and it is "quick" in operation and also in boot-up.

I've actually considered purchasing a machine with SSD just for grins and giggles.

woodsmoke

you have? and it works? awesome!

i got a 32gig usb3 yesterday just for the purpose but havent really had time, apart from a quick knoppix dump/install..

it's year 2014 after all and how can you survive without a full blown distro anywhere you go on your keyring?




what do you mean considering purchasing a machine wtih ssd?
just get a ssd and stick it in whatever you have, its the best upgrade you can do at the moment imho

[millusions]

Ubuntu installation guide: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation
--> LiveUsbPendrivePersistent: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LiveUsbPendrivePersistent



Kubuntu Forums - Minimal Bootable USB stick: https://www.kubuntuforums.net/showth...able-USB-stick

thanks.. i know there's a ton of links,

but its 99% live usb distro, im interested in building a full system that preserves everything,

[woodsmoke]

with a built in SSD sorry

good luck, lotsa fun!

woodsmoke

[millusions]

IT WORKS!
installed puppy linux 5.7 on a 32 gig usb 3 drive, full install.
it's pretty awesome, the only ironic thing is my pc wont boot from a usb3 socket

puppy linux iso 170mb - it is pretty awsome for it's size, not exactly what i expected but for such a small and fast install it exceeded my expectations



sorry, had to do a screenie

[Teunis]

USB 3.0 is really good for these types of installs, even with a fully loaded Kubuntu.

The nicest I have is a credit card sized 64GB Verbatim external SSD, you hardly know the difference with a native install.

[woodsmoke]

Bravo millusions! lotsa fun!

woodsmoke