Unable to install on USB drive

[GameCodingNinja]

I'm trying to install "Linux Mint 14.1 - Mate 64-bit" to a USB drive. I'm using the provided install program located on the desktop.

I'm also referring to these step-by-step instructions.
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=113309

If you ask me, there should be a third option in the installer for a USB target instead of having to use the option "something else".

On my 16-gig USB drive I setup the following partitions, all selected to use filesystem type ext4
7 gig for /dev/sdb1 mounted on / primary
7 gig for /dev/sdb5 mounted on /home logical
2 gig for swap

There's an option to place the partition at the beginning or end. I just leave it to the default option of "beginning".

I start the install and get an error message "The creation of swap space in partition #6 of SCSI5 (0,0,0) sdb failed".

I tried the option installing without specifying a swap drive or just leaving a few gigs unpartitioned. Same error message.

[usbtux]

http://youtu.be/gVCfeFOxGLQ External install

From the live dvd in a terminal type

Code: Select all

sudo swapoff -a

before starting to install

Also take a look at

http://youtu.be/UuL1NkXI7FQ how to setup mint using gparted

http://youtu.be/kBrRL6iG0NM using the installer (ubiquity) after setting up your partitions. Or installing over an existing install partitions.

[GameCodingNinja]

Do I need to keep that terminal window open after executing

Code: Select all

sudo swapoff -a

The last two videos show what I was missing but after the software copy is finished, it just sits there in the "Who are you?" screen and doesn't finish the install.

What am I missing?

[GameCodingNinja]

I gave the Debian flavor a try and the installer excepts the USB drive and installs to it without any problems.

Unfortunately, this install wont boot from the USB flash drive.

I just can't win with Linux Mint and a USB install. I'll just go back to Knoppix.