Needed fully functional [NOT 'Live'(sic)] Linux on USB stick - was [Re: Ubuntu on pendrive]

[Sam Sebastian]

the problem with this is that the one time i did it, when i was really new
to ubuntu/linux in general it install GRUB on the USB and the computer
would not boot at all without having the USB stick plugged in

On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 3:28 PM, Default User <hunguponcontent at gmail.com>wrote:

> I hesitate to suggest the obvious, but if you can't disconnect the data
> cable to the hard drive, just disconnect the connector which runs from the
> computer's power supply unit to the hard drive.
>
> But if that can't be done either, then I strongly suggest that you forget
> the project altogether, as screwing up the existing system already
> installed on your hard drive can really ruin your day.
>
> Yes, it can be done, but disconnect the hard drive. Really.
>
> Then boot Ubuntu 11.10 from a "live" cd or "live" USB stick.
>
> Then format a target USB stick as FAT 32, using gparted (careful - that
> deletes everything from the target USB stick).  Don't forget to set the
> "bootable" flag.
>
> Note: the target USB stick should be at least 16gb; IMHO 4gb won't work
> and 8gb will be so cramped as to be hardly worth doing.
>
> Then install just as you would to a hard disk.  And test that you can boot
> from your new USB stick installation.  You did of course remember to set
> your BIOS so that it will boot from a USB stick, if present, before booting
> from the hard drive.
>
> Finally, don't forget to reconnect your hard drive.
>
> HTH.
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 22, 2011 at 09:52, Richard Owlett <rowlett at pcnetinc.com>wrote:
>
>> Colin Law wrote:
>>
>>> On 22 December 2011 14:17, Richard Owlett<rowlett at pcnetinc.com>  wrote:
>>>
>>>> Avi Greenbury wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ghana.computeraid at gmail.com wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What is the most easy way to put ubuntu on a pendrive? Preferably
>>>>>> withtout leaving windows
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Probably unetbootin[0]. When you say you want to "put ubuntu on a
>>>>> pendrive", what do you then want to do with that pendrive? There's two
>>>>> common similar-but-different use-cases:
>>>>>
>>>>> 1) A 'live USB' system. On this system, you can boot off the USB stick
>>>>> into a working Ubuntu install. When you shut down, you lose any chanegs
>>>>> you've made and the next time you boot off it you get a new system.
>>>>>
>>>>> 2) A system installed onto the USB stick, such that on boot you get an
>>>>> option between your existing OS (Windows) and the Ubuntu on the USB
>>>>> stick.
>>>>>
>>>>> Unetbootin does option 1, 2 is a bit more tricky, but quite doable if
>>>>> that's what you're after.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> I don't know about OP, BUT I'd definitely like a pointer to
>>>>                    _CLEAR *AND* CORRECT_
>>>> instructions for a modified option 2 -- pendrive must be bootable when
>>>> BIOS
>>>> selects as boot device. My goal is having identical environment whether
>>>> using my laptop or desktop machine.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Have a look at the instructions at
>>> http://www.ubuntu.com/**download/ubuntu/download<http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download>,
>>> select the appropriate
>>> options and click Show me now.
>>>
>>> Come back if something is not clear.
>>>
>>> Colin
>>>
>>>
>> Those seem to be instructions for (expletive deleted) "Live Install".
>>
>> I want a Linux installed on a USB stick that is indistinguishable from
>> what would be on your hard drive if one had chosen "Install Now" on "Live
>> CD" and chosen "wipe out my life's work currently on hard drive and any
>> existing OS".
>>
>> I haven't decided whether to laugh, cry, or stop banging my head on desk
>> ;)
>> I've been fighting this for > year. I followed on set of instructions
>> several months ago and ended up with a dual boot muck-up with grub on my
>> hard drive and and a non-bootable install on USB stick.
>>
>> I think the installation menu on the "Live" device should be:
>>
>>
>> Install
>>  to internal drive
>>     dual boot install
>>     delete current OS and install as only OS
>>  to external drive
>>     specify external drive
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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