I'm a complete newbie to Linus, but I want to be able to run a suitable Linux distro from a flash memory stick and not actually load it onto my Windows XP Home OS machine for the moment. I have a 512mb and 1GB stick.

1. Is it poss to do that?
2. If so, which distro would be the most applicable via this method?
3. Would I still be able to use my usual ISP Broadband connection and access the Internet?

Computer: 5 years old, 512ram, Intel Celeron 2.2, 56kbps, 60gb Hard Disk,

Many Thanks

1. Absolutely it's possible
2. Puppy Linux, : Damn Small Linux, : Feather Linux are a couple options, you can check Distrowatch for others
3. Should be able to use your normal internet connection. especially if you have a broadband router which makes connecting so much simpler..

dupe.. oops

Yes, it is very possible to run a portable linux distro on a flash drive Your drive would have to be big enough, and bootable

look at this page from portable linux.com This site contain all kinds of tutorials for people who want exactly what you just described


(http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2007/02...1-using-linux/)

The only thing is you computer may be a little older and not include usb-hdd booting support

You should be able to use your network card, as Knoppix includes tons of drivers, but there's always a chance your's won't be there!



good luck,
rabbit2345

Farslayer and Rabbit.

Your valuable advices are much appreciated. Cheers.

I ordered a new 4gb flash drive from www.Play.com for £11 (about $22) which arrived this AM. (It took about 12 days to arrive, but I no harm as didn't need it urgently.) I was told that was an excellent price.

I may as well use the 4gb instead of my 1GB for the Linux prog.

I've just started trying out Firefox Mozilla on this computer after spending a couple of hours customizing it, but so far so good.

IE 7 had been giving me no end of trouble between freezing and crashing for ages now.

Thanks again both of you.

You can use "My slax creator" in windows and setup a bootable flash drive in a few clicks. Slax popcorn is about 115 Mb. I have it setup on a 128 Mb flash stick and use it to hack the windows password in about 45 seconds.

My Slax creator

http://myslax.bonsonno.org/files/MySLAX_Creator.exe

Slax Popcorn

http://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz/mirrors/s...corn-5.1.8.iso



Main site

http://slax.hosting4p.com/download.php


Tutorial from the above mentioned site pendrivelinux

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2006/03...nstall-method/

Hi,

I like 'Slackware® 12.0 USB_Install' by Alien_Bob.

454redhawk and onebuck, a million thanks.

I hardly know where to begin as the responses have been overwhelming.

Is Slackware an operating system in its own right?

I have already downloaded one that is capable of being used directly from a USB flash drive. - Ubantu, but I have not had much luck getting it on screen - yet. I believe I have to press on F6 at bootup. Will try on next bootup tomorrow. I created the file QPU710 and tranferred the two Ubantu files into to it. In the meantime, I'm still trawling the many links you all kindly supplied, trying to gain more info and know-how. There's another one that is suitable for operation off a USB flash drive, Knoppix, I believe, but I've decided against that one. I was interested to learn that you can partition a flash memory stick, but presumably in FATS only. Still, it's handy to know.

Cheers.

Btw, I have registered as a new Linux system User.

Hi,

Slackware is a GNU/Linux Distribution. The oldest active distribution. Look at the 'Linux Distro Timeline'.

USB Tutorials has several tutorials on usb install for different distributions.

You can partition usb drives with Linux. You can also partition usb flash with linux. Some usb flash do have proprietary fat format when you purchase them but nothing states you can re-format them.

These links and others are available from 'Slackware-Links' .

I downloaded Pendrivelinux and a 'stop 'command came up in the little black screen which prevented me from activating it. It also kept crashing my Windows Firefox Mozella browser, desktop icons and taskbar.

Instead, I ordered 3 live CDs (Puppy, Mandriva 10 PCLinusOS from the Linux shop which I am waiting for at the moment.

Hi,

Look at the LiveCD section of 'Slackware-Links' .

onebuck

Thanks for your links. Much appreciated!

I have many of them saved under my Linux document file, but one can do with as many helpful links as there are out there. I was disappointed about the Pendrivelinux. I will try the Slackware USB download mentioned in one of the links supplied in the website you linked me to. I have a 2gb USB flash memory stick which will take all of the Slackware files so the link informs me.

Can Slackware be made into an actual desktop Operating System? If so, what types and, if poss, the names of download packages that would best suit the job?

Many thanks and Cheers?
minny

Hi,

Your Welcome!

Yes Slackware can be used with a 'X' environment with the desktop of your choice. You should look at the Slackware 12.0 CHANGES_AND_HINTS.TXT, UPGRADE.TXT and RELEASE_NOTES? To get some good back ground information.

You should also look at 'Slackware® Essentials' which is the Official Guide. This guide will assist you in setting up you box. It is dated but still usable.

Slackware® Linux Basics is a book that aims to provide an introduction to Slackware® Linux.

Slackware® Reference has several other good links.

These links and others can be found at 'Slackware-Links' .

Yes, as many as shown you, that is is very possible to run Linux from a flash drive. However, is this is your first time around with Linux then I would highly recommend against doing thing.

I would recommend dualbooting with a noob friendly OS, like Ubuntu until you get more into the swing of things. I honestly can't see a first timer trying to learn Linux from a flash drive OS, unless your like a freaking genius.

Hi
Why do you think a newbie cannot work with a usb Linux OS install?

There are several Distributions that can be used/installed from a usb. Sure a newbie won't find the task easy but not impossible. There are several sites with good instructions for install(s) of a distribution with a usb device. PendriveLinux comes to mind. But that too must be verified and researched to confirm the methods of installation for something other than the distribution the site suggests for a install. The methodology is still there.