Non-persistent USB - linking userdata to other storage dev?

[sk2013]

Hi all,

I have been trying out Mint Debian for the last few days and would like to make it my main HD & portable OS. I always install my LiveOSes in non-persistent mode. I would need to know how I could configure Mint in order to have it store user data on another mass storage device (i carry on my keychain an OS stick & a dedicated data stick), so that I can have a simple & automated access to mainly bookmarks, downloads, bitcoin wallet, pgp keys & wifi profiles/keys on each boot. What would the most elegant way to go about implementing that, keeping in mind I would need that folder's content to be accessible under windows and other Linux distros?

Would it be possible to use the unique device ID of the data stick as a sort of beacon for the OS stick to look for & connect to, bypassing host system's drive setup (sda/sdb/sdc etc) ?

Thank you so much for your precious help.

SK.

EDIT : forgot to mention I'm using the 32 bits "Linux Mint "Debian" - 201303 MATE 32-bit RC"

[sk2013]

Hi all,

I've been looking into this but still haven't properly understood how to store user data on another mass storage device & have it mount when booted? I found this

http://www.armadeus.com/wiki/index.php?title=Create_a_FLASH_partition_to_store_user%27s_HOME

But it doesn't seem one could apply it to Mint ; can anyone help me out on this?

Then there is this tutorial :

http://www.kdenlive.org/user-manual/downloading-and-installing-kdenlive/live-demonstration-dvd-or-usb-storage/full-persisten

With "full persistence" it is meant that instead of using a tmpfs for storing modifications to the read-only media (with the copy-on-write, COW, system) a writable partition is used. In order to use this feature a partition with a clean writable supported filesystem on it labeled "live-rw" must be attached on the system at bootime. This is very useful to be able to install additional software, keep your personal settings, such as keyboard, language, etc ...
[...]
If during the boot a partition (filesystem) image file or a partition labeled home-rw will be discovered, this filesystem will be directly mounted as /home, thus permitting persistence of files that belong to the e.g. default user. It can be combined with full persistence. This partition can be used to store data on the USB Key and exchange data after rebooting under Windows.

Is the live-rw filesystem trick applicable to Mint Live? Is there something similar I could use?


Thanks a lot!

sk

[DrHu]

I would need to know how I could configure Mint in order to have it store user data on another mass storage device (i carry on my keychain an OS stick & a dedicated data stick), so that I can have a simple & automated access to mainly bookmarks, downloads, bitcoin wallet, pgp keys & wifi profiles/keys on each boot.

The host OS is in control and may not allow any other OS to boot: persistent USB storage can work with many Linux OS distributions, you just need to create a boot device setup..
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/what-is-persistent-linux/
http://www.mytechguide.org/8109/univers ... t-storage/
--if a usb device can boot, then Linux could boot, there would be no need for an extra device (usb store)

I am afraid I am not sure of the purpose of your questions, it doesn't make much sense to me..