running Mint from a flash drive`
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running Mint from a flash drive`
Just wondering if anyone on here has tried running mint from a flash drive? Not just the live cd but actually installing and using the linux os from a usb flash drive? I am building a htpc and I was going to buy a ssd but it would save alot of money if I could just use a usb drive instead. I plan on only using linux to pull media from an external hdd which is why I am thinking of going this route any thoughts? BTW, the usb drive I was going to use is 8 gb, enough?
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
Re: running Mint from a flash drive`
It has been done by loads of people, but your best bet is to search the board if you need any hints.
I would just say that you should be able to either;-
1) Install it to the USB as if it was a hard-dirve
2) Install it as a Live image to the USB with unetbootin and set it to use persistence
I would just say that you should be able to either;-
1) Install it to the USB as if it was a hard-dirve
2) Install it as a Live image to the USB with unetbootin and set it to use persistence
Re: running Mint from a flash drive`
Mint installs in about 3GB, so 8GB will give plenty of space for documents and updates. When Linux updates, it first downloads the new versions to /tmp before applying them, so having the space to get stuff out of the box is required, not just having the space for it after it;s out of the box.
It will run slower from either CD or USB, than regular HD. You could speed that up by having a /swap on the regular HD I guess. I don't know about USB's but SD cards come in different grades, the cheaper ones are 2, the higher the number the faster the read / write rates. The point of this is for stuff like cameras that need to blast a lot of data to the card in a heartbeat, freeing up the memory to be used again; the reload times.
USB technology used to have a limited number of writes to each sector before they became dead. This is why having stuff like /swap on a USB will kill it in no time. Stuff aimed at running from USB ideally should pull it entirely into RAM, so you work fully in RAM, and only write it back to the USB on shutdown. For this I'd recommend Puppy Linux, it's what it's designed for. You can make changes while in session, you get an option on shutdown to save to an existing save file, create one or lose changes. You can also kick down the write time too, to avoid unnecessary writes if you prefer.
I'd only use a USB install as a portable OS I can carry on a lanyard around my neck when I travel.
It will run slower from either CD or USB, than regular HD. You could speed that up by having a /swap on the regular HD I guess. I don't know about USB's but SD cards come in different grades, the cheaper ones are 2, the higher the number the faster the read / write rates. The point of this is for stuff like cameras that need to blast a lot of data to the card in a heartbeat, freeing up the memory to be used again; the reload times.
USB technology used to have a limited number of writes to each sector before they became dead. This is why having stuff like /swap on a USB will kill it in no time. Stuff aimed at running from USB ideally should pull it entirely into RAM, so you work fully in RAM, and only write it back to the USB on shutdown. For this I'd recommend Puppy Linux, it's what it's designed for. You can make changes while in session, you get an option on shutdown to save to an existing save file, create one or lose changes. You can also kick down the write time too, to avoid unnecessary writes if you prefer.
I'd only use a USB install as a portable OS I can carry on a lanyard around my neck when I travel.
Re: running Mint from a flash drive`
How to install MINT LINUX on a 4 Gb Flash drive - USB stick
Previously Ive posted about using a LiveCD with persistence on a USB.
Persistence allows you to keep your documents, bookmarks and some additional programs. This allows you to use your distro on any computer that will boot from usb and with the usefulness of being able to save and access your files; works well on USB’s of 2Gb with persistent file of about 1Gb.
I will presume that you have a rudimentary knowledge of running Linux either installed, Livecd, usb or with persistence on a USB and you have Windows installed but not linux.
This time we’ll use a USB stick of at least 4Gb and in this case it will be a fully functioning installed version of Mint Linux that is fully updateable and you can add or remove programs as you like. 4Gb is the minimum size USB drive that you can use and this is what I will be using.
Boot into your livecd/usb and get ready to install your system.
Insert the 4Gb flash drive but do not mount it.
On the desktop double click on the Install Linux Mint icon.
This will bring up the install box, select your required language, on the next page it'll say it requires 4.7GB available drive space – we'll install on a 4Gb USB stick. Thats about 1Gb less that it says it requires! In fact our installed system will be about 2.8Gb but this needs some work to keep it this low and running as well as possible and have a reasonable amount of space in Home.
There is a very good tutorial on installing Mint 11 on http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-d ... t-11-katya
But the tutorial does not cover dual booting or what we are talking about here.
Ok so at Falko 5th photo, ours will start to be different.
On the allocate Drive space page
You'll see
1. Install alongside your original operating system.
2. Replace your original operating system.
3. Something else.
Tick in the box for something else, then click forward.
Wait while Mint recognizes your drives.
Once at the allocate drive space page – highlight you USB drive - then click change.
A box will pop up with Edit a partition.
Under “Use as” select Ext2 file system (or ext3, ext4 as you require).
Select “Format the partition” – with the tick box.
“Mount point:” change to / (this / means root)
Click OK
Next, on the allocate drive space page change “Device for boot loader installation:” to your 4Gb Flash drive.
Then click “Install Now”
If a pop up asks do you want to return to partitioning – press Continue
The install will now continue and ask for details of location, language and passwords required then continue to install (Falko 7th photo onward)
After the installation, you will be asked to reboot the system. Click on Restart Now: remove the original livecd/usb and tell you computer to boot from the new usb installation either from the BIOS or boot select menu.
When you start your computer, check the boot-screen for setup key, In most newer pc it will be DELETE key, so make sure to watch what keys are required. Some Computers have the option to temporary boot from Cd/Hdd/Floppy/Usb Device, Just keep tapping the specified button to get Boot Menu Usually F8 or F12 and Now choose your manufacturer or boot device.
You should now have a fully functioning LinuxMint install on your 4Gb USB stick.
Previously Ive posted about using a LiveCD with persistence on a USB.
Persistence allows you to keep your documents, bookmarks and some additional programs. This allows you to use your distro on any computer that will boot from usb and with the usefulness of being able to save and access your files; works well on USB’s of 2Gb with persistent file of about 1Gb.
I will presume that you have a rudimentary knowledge of running Linux either installed, Livecd, usb or with persistence on a USB and you have Windows installed but not linux.
This time we’ll use a USB stick of at least 4Gb and in this case it will be a fully functioning installed version of Mint Linux that is fully updateable and you can add or remove programs as you like. 4Gb is the minimum size USB drive that you can use and this is what I will be using.
Boot into your livecd/usb and get ready to install your system.
Insert the 4Gb flash drive but do not mount it.
On the desktop double click on the Install Linux Mint icon.
This will bring up the install box, select your required language, on the next page it'll say it requires 4.7GB available drive space – we'll install on a 4Gb USB stick. Thats about 1Gb less that it says it requires! In fact our installed system will be about 2.8Gb but this needs some work to keep it this low and running as well as possible and have a reasonable amount of space in Home.
There is a very good tutorial on installing Mint 11 on http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-d ... t-11-katya
But the tutorial does not cover dual booting or what we are talking about here.
Ok so at Falko 5th photo, ours will start to be different.
On the allocate Drive space page
You'll see
1. Install alongside your original operating system.
2. Replace your original operating system.
3. Something else.
Tick in the box for something else, then click forward.
Wait while Mint recognizes your drives.
Once at the allocate drive space page – highlight you USB drive - then click change.
A box will pop up with Edit a partition.
Under “Use as” select Ext2 file system (or ext3, ext4 as you require).
Select “Format the partition” – with the tick box.
“Mount point:” change to / (this / means root)
Click OK
Next, on the allocate drive space page change “Device for boot loader installation:” to your 4Gb Flash drive.
Then click “Install Now”
If a pop up asks do you want to return to partitioning – press Continue
The install will now continue and ask for details of location, language and passwords required then continue to install (Falko 7th photo onward)
After the installation, you will be asked to reboot the system. Click on Restart Now: remove the original livecd/usb and tell you computer to boot from the new usb installation either from the BIOS or boot select menu.
When you start your computer, check the boot-screen for setup key, In most newer pc it will be DELETE key, so make sure to watch what keys are required. Some Computers have the option to temporary boot from Cd/Hdd/Floppy/Usb Device, Just keep tapping the specified button to get Boot Menu Usually F8 or F12 and Now choose your manufacturer or boot device.
You should now have a fully functioning LinuxMint install on your 4Gb USB stick.
Re: running Mint from a flash drive`
Of course on 4G you’ll soon run out of space if you add programs, update and add documents etc.
So I started with the following.
Removed :-
brassero
libreoffice sudo apt-get remove libreoffice*.*
gimp
Added :
Thunar (personal preference)
Osmo (personal preference)
Abiword - set-up to open docx - right click on file and change file associations. setup save as doc
Set VLC as default
Remove any programs that you don't require, before updating - either with Mint update or apt-get update/upgrade
____________________________________________________________________
Made ramdrive - Moving Cache and temp directories to ramdrive. To create the ram drive is fairly easy.
sudo cp /etc/fstab /etc/fstab.backup
sudo gedit /etc/fstab
then add this line to the end of it.
tmpfs /tmp tmpfs nodev,nosuid,noexec,mode=1777 0 0
____________________________________________________________________
Made firefox use ramdrive (goggle this as required)
FireFox: need to do this for each Profile
1. Open the link: about:config
2. Right-click mouse -> add -> string
3. Enter "browser.cache.disk.parent_directory" and "/dev/shm/Firefox"
Other optimization for FireFox
* Clear memory on minimize: Add the bool value "config.trim_on_minimize" as TRUE [recommended]
So I started with the following.
Removed :-
brassero
libreoffice sudo apt-get remove libreoffice*.*
gimp
Added :
Thunar (personal preference)
Osmo (personal preference)
Abiword - set-up to open docx - right click on file and change file associations. setup save as doc
Set VLC as default
Remove any programs that you don't require, before updating - either with Mint update or apt-get update/upgrade
____________________________________________________________________
Made ramdrive - Moving Cache and temp directories to ramdrive. To create the ram drive is fairly easy.
sudo cp /etc/fstab /etc/fstab.backup
sudo gedit /etc/fstab
then add this line to the end of it.
tmpfs /tmp tmpfs nodev,nosuid,noexec,mode=1777 0 0
____________________________________________________________________
Made firefox use ramdrive (goggle this as required)
FireFox: need to do this for each Profile
1. Open the link: about:config
2. Right-click mouse -> add -> string
3. Enter "browser.cache.disk.parent_directory" and "/dev/shm/Firefox"
Other optimization for FireFox
* Clear memory on minimize: Add the bool value "config.trim_on_minimize" as TRUE [recommended]