Running a full install of Ubuntu on USB stick

lemonade · 29 Dec 2012 at 16:25

Was wondering if it is possible to have a full proper install of Ubuntu like you would normally install on a hard drive, but instead on a usb stick with the ability to plug out and plug in as you like. I know persistent mode can do this to a certain extent, but wondering if it's possible to just have a proper install on a usb stick?
Cheers

InfiniteNoise · 30 Dec 2012 at 17:55

It's possible, but is it 100% functional? Depends.

I've done it, works fine but when I used the stick on a different computer, it froze after like 10 mins, probably something to do with drivers but I stopped bothering with it after that point and just went with persistent mode, works much better.

bertles86 · 30 Dec 2012 at 21:28

So long as you keep it booting from exactly the same USB port on your machine, then it should be fine.

lemonade · 1 Jan 2013 at 14:57

Sounds like it isn't fully functional then, and I would imagine there would be issues with the bootloaders.

Devrij · 24 Feb 2013 at 19:47

Try Unetbootin. You can specify an amount of space on the stick to store files between reboots.

slinxy · 24 Feb 2013 at 23:10

I've got a live stick running Mint that I use for diagnostics for work. I can't see why its not possible with Ubuntu as Mint is based of Ubuntu.

There is a kickstarter project that's offering this at the moment at a VERY high premium for the final complete product. I'm not going to post the link because I strongly disagree with the way that the company has presented the product and IMHO they technical know how needs to be question, if they believe what they are saying is true.

Essexraptor · 25 Feb 2013 at 14:24

lemonade said:
Was wondering if it is possible to have a full proper install of Ubuntu like you would normally install on a hard drive, but instead on a usb stick with the ability to plug out and plug in as you like. I know persistent mode can do this to a certain extent, but wondering if it's possible to just have a proper install on a usb stick?
Cheers

What's your intended use for this ? just asking

It's just that we may be able to suggest a better solution