USB flash drive distro

Flopsy

Flopsy

Flopsy

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After my failed experiment of using Linux on my Acer Revo HTPC for a Steam Xbmc combo (gone with Win 7 for now) I've decided to plough on and and give Linux (yet) another go.

This time I would like to be able to run this as a standalone system from a USB flash drive. I've been using netbootin etc to create live USB, so no issues there, but as they were just plug in and play around then delete I didn't notice if they can now save changes and write to the USB so everything's there next time I run it (don't think you were able to a few years back)

Is there such a mythical beast that can now do this? If so which would suit my needs best Linuxers?

Oh and don't say Ubuntu please as it's the most hateful POS I've come acacias in Linux, can't understand why it's so popular myself.

Fanks
 
Flopsy said:
After my failed experiment of using Linux on my Acer Revo HTPC for a Steam Xbmc combo (gone with Win 7 for now) I've decided to plough on and and give Linux (yet) another go.

This time I would like to be able to run this as a standalone system from a USB flash drive. I've been using netbootin etc to create live USB, so no issues there, but as they were just plug in and play around then delete I didn't notice if they can now save changes and write to the USB so everything's there next time I run it (don't think you were able to a few years back)

Is there such a mythical beast that can now do this? If so which would suit my needs best Linuxers?

Oh and don't say Ubuntu please as it's the most hateful POS I've come acacias in Linux, can't understand why it's so popular myself.

Fanks
Click to expand...

You never use pure Ubuntu as the Unity interface is hateful. I would recommend ElementaryOS however as a distro worth testing.
 
JBod said:
You never use pure Ubuntu as the Unity interface is hateful. I would recommend ElementaryOS however as a distro worth testing.
Click to expand...

Tried elementary briefly but can it save programs, files etc to the USB drive ready for the next boot?
 
You should be able to do it.
**I think**
You would have to have 1 USB stick for the "live" copy to install from and the "OS" USB stick connected. From the install menu it should give you the option to install to the USB stick as if it was a HDD.
 
Well got elementary installed onto an 8gb USB but my worst fear was confirmed. Somethings wrong with the boot record. now when I remove the USB and leave it to start in Windows it just goes to a black screen with flashing cursor
Must be some way to repair the boot record. Any tips?
 
One quick bookable win 7 USB later and we're back to normal. I think my Linux days are numbered unless I go one last hurrah for dual boot
 
Can't really understand why you are having so much trouble?

The Linux version of XBMC really rocks. For a standalone version ... just use XBMCbuntu. . The latest Gotham version is really good... and even a noob can get a well configured XBMC up and running by using Xbmc hub etc.

To save files and data. .. just read the posts above and create a persistent version on the USB key.... that simple.

Newbie tip... going dual boot? Install to a separate drive... with Win7 drive disconnected and use F8 or whatever your MB option is to boot that drive.... easy.

Stick with it. .. use the Linux forum boards... :)

To repair your Windows boot manager... just Google it.. it's not hard and just requires the Windoze install disc...
 
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I've got openelec on USB then win 7 with xbmc and steam to play around with. The amount of Linux steam games just doesn't come close to the win 7 library. Trouble was having Linux not as live or persistent but being fully installed to another USB. I'm in no way an xbmc noob and have a bit of Linux experience, I just want to run it all in my own weird way
 
But surely if you installed grub along with linux then all you would need to to do upon boot would be to select your os that you want to boot..... that is providing grub is installed onto a drive that is connected to the pc all the time. AS for playing games on linux you can always use WINE or if you dont want the hasel of using terminal to set things up install playonlinux... it uses WINE as well but does all the hardwork for you.
 
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