Linux flash drive is a basic USB drive which is made bootable for Linux. But before making the efforts one should check the operating system
Linux Flash Drive
compatibility of their computer for USB Linux flash drive installations. To check the compatibility of the system there are many methods available on the chart but the following steps integrates to the most simple method for the cause:
Install Memtest86+ to the USB. Basically it is used to check the errors on the computer’s memory.
Now reboot the computer and press F8.
A window opens containing a tab naming boot. Click on boot and change the priority order of the bios to USB.
Click on save and exit.
Now reboot the computer. On rebooting memtest86+ screen appears then it is verified that the host controller or the computer is enabled in response to booting through USB.
After the verification process is done, next step approaches i.e. your USB drive to be a bootable ‘Linux Flash Drive’. It can be done by the method explained below in order:
1. Connect the USB pen drive into the USB port of computer. Minimum memory requirement of 4 GB should be fulfilled for efficient installation of Linux.
2. Copy your data on the pc in any drive other then drive used for operating system. .
3. Format the USB drive.
4. Navigate through Start > All programs >Accessories > right click on Command Prompt. Make it run as administrator.
5. Proceed as follows:
DISKPART, then press enter.
And then type
LIST DISK and then press enter. It will show the number assigned to the disk.
Enter the following commands in hierarchy
SELECT DISK 1:- It will select the disk 1 which is our pen drive in this case.
CLEAN: – It will clean the disk.
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY: -It will create partitions on the memory of USB.
SELECT PARTITION 1: -It is used to select the partition 1.
ACTIVE
FORMAT FS=NTFS: – Formatting is preferred to be done by NTFS than FAT.
ASSIGN
EXIT
6. Do not close the command prompt, minimize it.
7. Insert the CD or DVD containing the windows into the ROM.
8. Pen down the ROM’s drive letter.
9. Restore the command prompt and begin the execution of following commands in the hierarchy given:
D: CD BOOT, press on enter. D is the drive letter of ROM.
CD BOOT, press on enter and BOOTSECT.EXE/NT60 H message will be displayed. H is USB drive letter
10. Copy contents of Linux from DVD to the bootable.
Now your bootable USB drive is ready for use. Follow the steps in hierarchy to install Linux through USB:
Plug in the USB pen drive in the corresponding port and restart the computer.
Before the start of the currently installed operating system, start hitting F8 or DEL (for some other system).
A set-up screen will appear on which there will be a tab named “Boot”. Click on that and change the priority order and set it to USB on the first priority. Click on save and exit.
Processor will automatically detect operating system in USB drive and operating system set up screen will appear.
Enter the serial number of the operating system.
After installation is completed, computer will be restarted.
Install the drivers and computer will be ready for use.
Linux flash drive is a basic USB drive which is made bootable for Linux. But before making the efforts one should check the operating system compatibility of their computer for USB Linux flash drive installations. To check the compatibility of the system there are many methods available on the chart but the following steps integrates to the most simple method for the cause:
1. Install Memtest86+ to the USB. Basically it is used to check the errors on the computer’s memory.
2. Now reboot the computer and press F8.
3. A window opens containing a tab naming boot. Click on boot and change the priority order of the bios to USB.
4. Click on save and exit.
5. Now reboot the computer. On rebooting memtest86+ screen appears then it is verified that computer is enabled in response to booting through USB.
After the verification process is done, next step approaches i.e. your USB drive to be a bootable ‘Linux Flash Drive’. It can be done by the method explained below in order:
1. Connect the USB pen drive into the USB port of computer. Minimum memory requirement of 4 GB should be fulfilled for efficient installation of Linux.
2. Copy your data on the pc in any drive other then drive used for operating system.
3. Format the USB drive.
4. Navigate through Start > All programs >Accessories > right click on Command Prompt. Make it run as administrator.
5. Proceed as follows: -
DISKPART, then press enter.
And then type
LIST DISK and then press enter. It will show the number assigned to the disk.
Enter the following commands in hierarchy
SELECT DISK 1:- It will select the disk 1 which is our pen drive in this case.
CLEAN: – It will clean the disk.
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY: -It will create partitions on the memory of USB.
SELECT PARTITION 1: -It is used to select the partition 1.
ACTIVE
FORMAT FS=NTFS: – Formatting is preferred to be done by NTFS than FAT.
ASSIGN
EXIT
6. Do not close the command prompt, minimize it.
7. Insert the CD or DVD containing the windows into the ROM.
8. Pen down the ROM’s drive letter.
9. Restore the command prompt and begin the execution of following commands in the hierarchy given:
D: CD BOOT, press on enter. D is the drive letter of ROM.
CD BOOT, press on enter and BOOTSECT.EXE/NT60 H message will be displayed. H is USB drive letter
10. Copy contents of Linux from DVD to the bootable USB.
Now your bootable USB drive is ready for use. Follow the steps in hierarchy to install Linux through USB:
1. Plug in the USB pen drive in the corresponding port and restart the computer.
2. Before the start of currently installed operating system, start hitting f8.
3. A screen will appear on which there will be a tab named boot. Make a click on that and change the priority order and set it to USB on first priority.
4. Click on save and exit.
5. Processor will automatically detect operating system in USB drive and operating system set up screen will appear.
6. Enter the serial number of the operating system.
7. After installation is completed, computer will be restarted.
8. Install the drivers and computer will be ready for use.
Linux in simple words is an operating system that can be installed into your flash drive thus giving you the advantage of enjoying advanced features of Linux on USB. In order to obtain Linux operating system all you need is a bootable flash drive after which Linux flash USB can be used for multitasking like installing operating systems across a network, loading minimal kernel for embedded operations and maintenance tasks like test distribution, recovering data and more. Some other impossible tasks that Linux Flash USB will be able to perform are recovering and modification of data that has been permanently written on the CD’s. This option was not available in any of previously discovered methods and has made it easy for users to use live USB as a personal storage space allowing them to carry their preferred applications, operating system and configuration. It can be run in two ways; first through Linux flash disk and secondly by using the drive as a full Linux install. The first option is better and is used at large.
The minimum requirement for Linux flash drive to be able to perform all these operations is 1GB flash USB. With 1GB of free space in the latest generation of Linux distros – namely Ubuntu 8.10 and Fedora 9 the system allows you to store your Linux distro and make any changes to it. The biggest advantage is that you can carry it anywhere around the world and use it. This also means that you can work from any possible place without bringing any interruptions to your work. Whether you’re using a server, a desktop or even a tiny little Aspire One or Eee PC, almost all computers support booting straight from USB, so all you need to do is just plug in your pendrive linux and enjoy the advanced features. It also offers the convenience of sharing a single system between multiple users.
Though Linux flash drive offers unmatched advantages, but there are certain things you would like to consider before buying perfect flash drive for Linux. While buying a Linux flash USB, make sure that you buy it from a reliable source that has years of experience of making quality flash drives. We suggest Lok-It as a secure, reliable and a trusted name in the market. Cost is always a consideration before you buy a flash drive. It is suggested that you indulge in a market research and get the best price for the same. If Linux flash drive is your requirement then 1GB is the minimum space that you will require. But the size completely depends on how much data you want to store. To enjoy the most of your Linux flash drive, keep the above mentioned points in mind and get yourself the best deal.
If you already backup often, you are doing the most you can to secure your files against accidental file deletion and recovery, file damage and what not. Also, you may be considering making your backups as easy and painless as possible. So what may be a remedy to this issue?
Naturally, you need to consider several backup media and select the one suitting your needs and requirements. Among all, CD, DVD and flash USB drives are considered.
You may as well use CD to backup, but you will either need to dump CD-R discs often, or insert a CD-/+RW discs often to make another backup. Someone else can also misplace your backup CD disc or overwrite your backup data with other information. Moreover, a CD only admits about 700Mb of data, which may not be convenient. Nor is storing multiple CDs of your backup copy.
The same can be said about backing up to DVD. Of course, a DVD admits from 4.7Gb to about 18.6Gb of data, but is it really convenient backing up to DVD? An external hard disk drive or a flash USB drive will be speedier, more reliable and easier overall.
Here is when a flash USB drive comes handy. It not only allows faster data copying than CD or DVD, but can also admit from 256Mb to 4Gb of data (or maybe more). Moreover, you can take the USB drive with you anywhere you go and transfer the data between distant computers without resolving to FTP backup. Of course, one of the drawbacks of a flash USB backup is that the drive is only limited to about 100 000 writings, while another slight disadvantage (or an advantage, if you put it nicely) is that the device is so small you can easily misplace it.
If the idea of using Linux in your business is one that makes you nervous, chances are you’ve fallen prey to one or more of the many myths out there that are frequently disseminated by competing vendors such as Microsoft. After all, each Linux user means one less sale for such companies, so they have a powerful motivation to spread such FUD.
In fact, the ranks of businesses and government organizations using Linux grows every day, and for good reason: it’s simply a good business choice. Let’s take a look, then, at some of the top anxiety-causing myths and dispel them once and for all.
“It’s Hard to Install“
Today, installing Linux is actually easier than installing Windows. Of course, most people don’t install Windows themselves–rather, it comes preinstalled on their hardware, and that’s an option with Linux too, if you’re in the market for a new machine anyway.
If not, however, the best thing to do is first try out the distribution you’re interested in via a Live CD or Live USB. Then, once you decide you like it, you can either install it in dual-boot fashion, so that both Linux and Windows are available to you all the time, or you can install Linux instead of Windows.
Either way, installation has become extremely simple over the years, particularly on distributions such as Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux Mint and openSUSE. Most include a step-by-step wizard and very easy-to-understand graphical tools; they also typically offer a way to automate the process. A full installation will probably take no more than 30 minutes, including basic apps.
“It’s Just for Experts”
That Linux is more difficult to use than Windows and Macs is probably one of the most enduring and yet unjustified myths in existence today. It certainly used to be true–say, 10 years ago. Today, however, the inclusion of attractive graphical user interfaces and other usability improvements in many distributions means that even elementary school children can use Linux easily.
Now, server usage is a different story–just as it is under Windows, for example. And Linux won’t be exactly the same as a Mac or Windows. But on the desktop, if you’re used to the GUI of Windows or Mac OS X, you should have no trouble getting used to Linux. It’s that simple.
“It’s Free, So It Must Be Pirated”
Despite the growing use of free and open source software in governments and other organizations, some people still believe that any software that’s free must be illegally copied. Fortunately, that’s completely false. The notion of “taking” software off the Internet and then “tampering with it” for your own ends can strike litigation fears into the hearts of those unfamiliar with the concept, but fear not! Free and open source software is designed from the start to be free in cost as well as open to modification and improvement. That’s how it works and gets better.
“There’s No Support”
Vendors of proprietary software love to strike more fear into business users’ hearts by painting a picture of the Linux user alone at sea, without anyone to ask for help. Once again, completely false!
First of all, every Linux distribution has an online community with excellent forums for getting help. There are also forums dedicated to small businesses and for newcomers in need of extra explanation. For those who want even more assurance, commercial Linux versions such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop come with vendor support. It’s entirely up to you which route to choose.
“It’s Not Compatible”
There are very few instances of hardware and software remaining that can’t be used with Linux. One of the operating system’s many advantages, in fact, is that it’s designed not to hog resources, and so doesn’t require the latest, cutting-edge hardware. Most peripherals are compatible as well, particularly in distributions such as Ubuntu.
On the application side, it’s also rare to find a problem. If there is something your business needs that can be run only on Windows, however, there are packages like Wine and Crossover Linux to make that happen. There are also countless comparable and Linux-friendly alternatives that can be easily installed, including all basic productivity packages.
“It’s Less Secure”
Of all the myths perpetuated about Linux, I’d say this is the one with the least merit. The reality, in fact, is quite the reverse: Linux is far *more* secure than either Windows or Macs, as countless examples and security researchers such as Secunia have confirmed. In a nutshell, Linux’s superior security derives from the way privileges are assigned, the fact that it’s open to scrutiny by countless developers the world over, and the diversity of distributions in use.
Ever wonder why you’ve never heard of the Linux equivalent of Microsoft’s “Patch Tuesday”? That’s because there isn’t one–it’s not necessary. Neither is antivirus software. Strange but true.
“It’s Not Reliable”
If you’re using a Mac or Windows, it goes without saying that you are intimately familiar with crashes and downtime. Part of that is due to those systems’ vulnerability to malware, but part is also simply inherent in the software. That’s a big reason why Linux is used so heavily on servers–it almost never goes down. Imagine a day in the life of your business with no downtime!
“Its TCO Is Higher”
Last, but not least, proprietary vendors are notorious for trying to counter Linux’s free price tag with vague fears about its “higher” total cost of operation in the long run. All I can say is, if that were true, why are so many governments and organizations around the globe turning to it in droves, particularly during the tough economic times we’ve had over the past few years?
There are also numerous studies confirming the financial benefits of Linux in a business setting, even with paid support. It’s worth noting, too, that TCO doesn’t explicitly capture the future costs that will be incurred by being locked in with a particular vendor.
Is Linux perfect? Of course not; no operating system is. Nor is it necessarily the best choice for every business. But don’t let the myths hold you back.
The system BIOS can be complicated to someone who is not yet familiar with all of the settings. Here are a few tips to help increase your chances of successfully booting a USB Linux system. If the flash memory stick fails to boot, go back into the system BIOS and try changing some of the following settings (Be sure to take note on any changes you have made). In addition, we have included some other tips to help achieve a successful boot.
BIOS setup tips for USB Boot:
Switch on or off USB keyboard support
Turn off Fast Boot
Disable USB 2.0 support (last resort, this will default to USB 1.1)
Other tips to help you Boot from USB:
These are some other suggestions to help ensure a successful USB Linux Boot:
Unplug USB hubs and extensions (these may draw from the current needed to wake your USB device)
Try using a different USB port. (some frontal ports may not be fully supportive)
Unplug additional USB devices. (I’ve seen something as simple as an IPod halt a system boot)
Sometimes a USB drive may go undetected at startup. If your drive has an LED, ensure that it either flashes or remains solid during system post. If the drive does not respond, remove the drive, then power the system completely down for 15 seconds, reinsert the drive and try again.
Some laptops using a PCMCIA slot may have troubles booting. You may have to tell Linux to ignore PCMCIA during boot. You can do this in the syslinux.cfg file by simply adding “nopcmcia” to the default boot options or by using a cheatcode before boot.
USB Flash Drive is a small device which can hold a significant amount of data. Bigger the use, more the security threats. There are many security threats to Information or data stored on USB Flash drives except virus, malwares etc.
USB Flash drive is best friend of business over last few years. It makes easy to transfer data from one machine to another and from office to home and vice versa. But USB flash drives are also looked at by some companies as one of their biggest threats to security. If USB Flash drive is not secure, it can lead to loss of data, theft of data and the contraction of a computer virus which could totally wipe out company’s IT structure. But Hold on! don’t worry we have some solutions to above sad problems such as Encrypted Flash Drives, Linux Flash drives, Password Protection and Restricted access to company’s sensitive information.
USB flash drive can also perform scans on the foreign system even if it doesn’t have its own virus protection. This will ensure that your flash drive does not get infected. I would also suggest you scanning the flash drive as soon as you plug it into your regular PC. This will help catch anything that your portable virus scanner did not catch.
When it comes to portability, USB Flash Drives still reign. And while their capacities increase and prices continue to drop, they have been a major technological advancement for data portability. So how can you take it to the next level? By making an entire PC portable: both the OS and your data.
Puppy Linux Portability Overview
Pendrive Linux
It is true that many Linux distributions are being used in a portable fashion via USB Flash Drives and countless other mediums including external drives and CDs or DVDs. But, what makes Puppy Linux different is its size and features. With a distro that is approximately 100 MB in size, including its default applications, it makes it ideal to go where most other distros have not been, including older and smaller USB Flash Drives. Not only will Puppy Linux operate from a 128 MB USB Flash Drive, it provides ample space to make the distro portable and expandable for daily use.
puppy linux
The Puppy Linux Universal Installer included with the operating system makes the process so easy that anyone can do it, regardless of experience.
With Puppy Linux running, insert the Puppy Linux Live CD in your PC’s optical drive.
Plug the USB Flash Drive you wish to install Puppy Linux on and make sure that it is recognized by the system.
Click on the Install icon located on the desktop to open the Install window.
In the Universal Installer section, click on the “lightning bolt” icon to launch the Universal Installer.
In the Puppy Universal Installer window, select the option labeled USB Flash Drive and click on OK to proceed.
A small window will list all the USB Flash Drives that the system found. Select the one you wish to install Puppy Linux onto and click OK to proceed.
Review the details about the drive and then click on the upper most button, next to “Install Puppy to…” description to initiate the installation process.
On the confirmation window, review the details and click OK to proceed.
When asked where the Puppy files are located, select CD.
Confirm that the CD is in the drive and click OK.
When asked about the MBR (Master Boot Record), select the default setting and click OK.
In the “ABSOLUTE FINAL SANITY CHECK!” prompt, verify all the information and when ready to initiate the install, press the Enter key.
For a clean install, press any letter followed by the Enter key in the remaining prompts.
Linux developer Mandriva has updated its operating-system-on-a-stick with the release of Mandriva Flash 2010, which includes a bootable version of the software on a USB Flash drive.
Available from mid-December, Mandriva Flash 2010 puts the latest version of Mandriva Linux onto an 8GB Flash drive, which has 6GB free for a user’s own documents and files.
Click here to find out more!
Mandriva describes this method of distributing the operating system as an ” ideal companion for travellers”, as users can take their desktop with them anywhere.
“Plug in the USB key, boot up your PC and within a handful of seconds the Mandriva Linux 2010 operating system is ready for work, listening to music or surfing the internet,” the company said.
As well as being a “live” version of Linux, users can use Mandriva Flash 2010 to install the operating system onto a workstation PC with just a few clicks.
Mandriva Linux 2010 features a new Smart Desktop, which allows users to group documents and files according to “projects”.
The distribution also includes Mozilla’s Firefox browser and Thunderbird email client, along with Skype, Google Toolbar and the OpenOffice.org application suite.
What Makes a Good Linux Flash Drive?
Running an operating system, such as Linux, on a USB flash drive can have many advantages and there are several options of portable Linux versions that will allow for this. The portability of your information is a big advantage and if the computer is setup to do so, you can boot directly from your Linux flash drive which bypasses the operating system installed on the computer. This allows for a much more secure connection and does not make your authentication password or files visible to the computer.
RSS
Recent Comments