I have been playing around with a Ubunto 10.04 live cd (32bit) on my mac. I want to be able to boot this OS (or similar) on my Mac, and on any other computer (PC or Mac). I also want it to remember changes and files.

From looking around this is possible from a USB (with a Casper RW loop file I think). I have used the Live CD to create a bootable flash drive, which works on PC's but not my mac. Using these instructions: http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/inde...t-1065670.html I was able to get my Mac to see the Linux at boot but once I clicked the Tux icon it would hang/ freeze. I let it sit for 10+ min and nothing happened. I started over (with a fresh formatting) and got the same results.

I have reformatted the flash drive and am ready to try over.
I think that I am goofing up in terminal steps as I am not use to doing that.

After the last step in the terminal I get an error, something like invalid number or similar, it is not the one mentioned in the instructions.

How do I get this to work on my Mac?


I know that this for advanced users, I am not yet but working that way. I an a (retired) power windows user, moderate Mac user and a new Linux user. I want to learn which is why I am asking. I am not in a spot to install Linux directly on my Mac, so I I am seeking help to do it on a flash drive. I want the ability to run off any computer and I see this as I way to get there.


Thanks
Ben

Why don't you set up a Linux install on a VirtualBox, then create a shared folder between the host and virtual computer. That way you could poke around the same files with two different systems.

I think that what I want to do will be better served with a full install on a USB flash drive. Further research make me think that I it might not work on my computer to do what I want.

If someone has done it please let me know what worked.

Just curious. Since when a Linux distro can be installed in a Mac? If this can be done why bother call some are PC while the others are Mac?

I thought a devoted version for Mac has to be used but not directly off one from the PC.

Pendrivelinux.com has how-to's for both peristant installs and non-persistant install's. To save changes you'd want a persistance or persistant feature.


As to the MAC, you'd have to look more. I have never seen any how to's for a mac. Actually I have not actually touched a mac in 20 years. Do they still make them? Just kidding.

Macs are, on a hardware level, really not that different from a stock PC. It's mostly just the OS/BIOS that are different. They stil use Intel x86-based CPUs (they used to use the PPC architecture, but not anymore), so you can install just about any operating system you want on it, AFAIK.

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Has anyone done this (boot a mac off a Linux flash drive)?

I have tried 3 or four ways and none will boot on my mac, windows computers will see the drive and boot it but not my mac.

any ideas?

May I ask: How old is your mac? If it's anything older than 4 years, you probably have the PPC architecture and would have to use a PowerPC-based distro.

If you're looking for a PPC-based Ubuntu:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCDownloads

I don't believe that Macs can boot anything other than OS X from a USB device. I tried the same thing on my MBP and was never successful.

This may be true, and in that case the OP may have no recourse but to use a Live CD.

This is what you get for buying products from Steve "neo-Hitler" Jobs: a crippled-down fascist experience.

My mac book pro is only a year old. supposedly it is possible to do, but the hardware support is somewhat shaky for this I think. the first time I tried it, using rEFit, a Linux icon (tux) showed up and I clicked it. then it hung, it would not respond for 20 min after which I did a hard reboot. Since then it has not worked.

You might look at darwin loader. It or someone may have figured out how to boot usb. I have not seen an actual Mac in years so I really can't say. I'd bet there are mac sites that have figured this out.

What is a Darwin loader? ( I am just a new Linux person)
how would I use it to help me in this case?

Thanks

It's a mac/apple bootloader. Google it, you'll get lots of hits with explanations.