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-   -   can't copy iso to flash drive (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/cant-copy-iso-to-flash-drive-901676/)

sl0wj0n 09-07-2011 05:22 PM

can't copy iso to flash drive
 
Hello, all.
New [newb] here.
I checked the 5 links from the "Similar Threads"
button.
Don't know enough to know if they'll help,
but I may have a different problem.
I copied the ISO to my hdd, ultimate-edition-2.7-x64, 2.52GB.
I want to copy it to a 8GB USB flash drive,
& run it from the flash drive, like its portable.
Looking at the "Similar Threads" links,
it looks like I need to install the ISO,
to the USB drive.
The USB drive is formatted 3.5GB, ext3,
w/ a 512MB swap space.
The rest is formatted fat16, for portable storage.
I tried to copy the ISO to the USB drive,
but got an Error Mess, not having 'permission'.
Of course, this is windoz box, 7hp,
which means winblows can't even see the USB drive.

I want to start getting away from windoz,
& I figure a 'portable' Ubuntu install,
running on a bootable USB drive would give me an
alternate way to run linux on almost any box I find.

What say ye, oh masters of Linux?

macemoneta 09-07-2011 05:52 PM

You can use the Windows LiveUSB Creator tool.

jefro 09-08-2011 03:54 PM

There are two basic ways to run linux from a usb device.

One is by using an app in windows or linux that does a sort of faux install. See pendrivelinux.com for many of those apps and how-to's. Condider using an app that can create persistence. The liveusb creator is one of the faux install ways.

Second way is to do a normal install to the usb device. I have to warn you that the live usb deals above tend to be more safe. If you bork the full install you may not recover your internal hard drive.

If you are sure you know what is what then boot to the live cd and install it to the usb and be sure that the boot loader goes on the flash. Might have to fix that later but many boot to the name or uuid instead of sda or sba or hda.

If you want you can install a virtual machine and boot it to this ISO. Delete or not make any virtual hard drives, attach the usb drive to the vm and then run it's installer. (if it has an installer)

A faster model of usb helps but they tend to work pretty good.

sl0wj0n 09-08-2011 10:49 PM

First:
Thank you "macemoneta".
I don't know anything about "the Windows LiveUSB Creator tool".
So I'll have to do my research on it.
Second:
Thank you "jefro".
That's interesting.
I was actually thinking about just copying the ISO to the flash drive.
That's why I formatted it ext3, w/ a swap space.[The rest of it just for storage.]
I can already see that this is going to be a 'learning experience'.
Both of you have given me previously unknown info,
which I now need to cogitate.
I thought that, initially, I just needed some info on adjusting / changing permissions.
In my blissfully ignorant state,
I thought that an ISO on a usb drive would let me boot to a 'live' cd,
only on a usb drive, w/ some capability to save a few portable apps.
Sorta like an OS on a keychain.
I'm pressed for time right now, so I'll have to back-burner this for now.
Thanks again guys.
I'll come back to this later.
j


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