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Old 08-05-2015, 02:40 PM   #1
Saorge
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Installing an application on a live usb distro


Hi,

I would like to install Chrome (or Chromium) browser on Linux Mint distro (or actually, any distro) but on a live usb stick and permanently (not on my hard drive). In other words, I wish I could use the new installed application everytime I boot with the live usb distro. Is that possible? If so, how do we do that?

Thanks in advance!
 
Old 08-05-2015, 03:28 PM   #2
jefro
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Yes. There are a few ways to create a usb that has the programs you wish.

You can make a usb from a live cd/dvd or even hybrid cd/dvd image by a number of way.

You can use a tool to copy or create a usb that only has the ability to run the basic live image.

You can usually download apps from live cd's and run them each time with package manager. Not really recommend.

You can also use tools that copy that live image and creates a "persistence" file to save day to day changes. This is not a true install. See www.pendrivelinux.com for many ideas.

I normally just use the install program to install linux to a usb. Be careful to remove your internal hard drive connection before you attempt or use a VM. It creates a usb install just as if it were a real hard drive.

You can go to SuseStudio.com and create what you want.

The longest way around it all is to modify an existing iso with some tools or manually break open an iso and modify and re-compress it back to an iso.
 
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Old 08-05-2015, 07:02 PM   #3
Seff
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All right if I cut in?
 
Old 08-05-2015, 07:41 PM   #4
yancek
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Pendrivelinux is windows software (Universal-USB-Installer-1.9.6.1.exe) identified by the .exe extension. Other software you can use is unetbootin which has versions for windows, Mac and Linux. There are other options and Ubuntu has its own software to do this so I imagine it may also be available in Mint.
 
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Old 08-05-2015, 07:42 PM   #5
yancek
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Pendrivelinux is windows software (Universal-USB-Installer-1.9.6.1.exe) identified by the .exe extension. Other software you can use is unetbootin which has versions for windows, Mac and Linux. There are other options and Ubuntu has its own software to do this so I imagine it may also be available in Mint.

Less problematic if you just do a full install to the flash drive, assuming it is large enough.
 
Old 08-05-2015, 07:58 PM   #6
jefro
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There are both linux and windows how-to's on pendrivelinux aren't there?

Seff, you are always welcome to post.
 
Old 08-05-2015, 08:15 PM   #7
Seff
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Thanks. I tried installing Unetbootin and got several messages to the effect of, "It can't be done. Ubuntu can't or won't install dependencies." There was also something about a virtual package, which led me on a wild goose chase. Oh yes- if it helps anything, I'm running Ubuntu 14.04 on a USB.

Just read this in the Software Center:

Quote:
To make it work, I had to copy the files libutil.c3 libcom32.c32 menu.c32 from /usr/lib/syslinux/modules/bios to the root directory of my bootable pendrive.
And f.y.i, you can't copy text from the software center. Whew...

Last edited by Seff; 08-05-2015 at 08:42 PM.
 
Old 08-06-2015, 08:43 AM   #8
Saorge
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Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by jefro View Post
Yes. There are a few ways to create a usb that has the programs you wish.

You can make a usb from a live cd/dvd or even hybrid cd/dvd image by a number of way.

You can use a tool to copy or create a usb that only has the ability to run the basic live image.

You can usually download apps from live cd's and run them each time with package manager. Not really recommend.

You can also use tools that copy that live image and creates a "persistence" file to save day to day changes. This is not a true install. See www.pendrivelinux.com for many ideas.

I normally just use the install program to install linux to a usb. Be careful to remove your internal hard drive connection before you attempt or use a VM. It creates a usb install just as if it were a real hard drive.

You can go to SuseStudio.com and create what you want.

The longest way around it all is to modify an existing iso with some tools or manually break open an iso and modify and re-compress it back to an iso.

Thank you very much for your answer! I will try to install the updated Mint distro on the usb drive. I still have a question: how do we remove the internal hdd connection? I guess or hope there is a way other than physical (I have a laptop and it looks rather sealed)?
 
Old 08-06-2015, 08:47 AM   #9
Saorge
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Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by yancek View Post
Pendrivelinux is windows software (Universal-USB-Installer-1.9.6.1.exe) identified by the .exe extension. Other software you can use is unetbootin which has versions for windows, Mac and Linux. There are other options and Ubuntu has its own software to do this so I imagine it may also be available in Mint.

Less problematic if you just do a full install to the flash drive, assuming it is large enough.
Thanks a lot for your answer! I will also explore that way in addition to Jefro's suggestion.
 
Old 08-06-2015, 08:54 AM   #10
Saorge
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seff View Post
All right if I cut in?
Sure you can! Any question or suggestion you have will be useful!
 
Old 08-06-2015, 08:59 AM   #11
Saorge
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jefro View Post
Yes. There are a few ways to create a usb that has the programs you wish.

You can make a usb from a live cd/dvd or even hybrid cd/dvd image by a number of way.

You can use a tool to copy or create a usb that only has the ability to run the basic live image.

You can usually download apps from live cd's and run them each time with package manager. Not really recommend.

You can also use tools that copy that live image and creates a "persistence" file to save day to day changes. This is not a true install. See www.pendrivelinux.com for many ideas.

I normally just use the install program to install linux to a usb. Be careful to remove your internal hard drive connection before you attempt or use a VM. It creates a usb install just as if it were a real hard drive.

You can go to SuseStudio.com and create what you want.

The longest way around it all is to modify an existing iso with some tools or manually break open an iso and modify and re-compress it back to an iso.
Thanks jefro! I posted a reply earlier but it did not seem to work. I will try your suggestion. I have a laptop and I hope there is a "soft" way to remove my hdd connection or to force the installation on the usb stick?
 
Old 08-06-2015, 12:37 PM   #12
yancek
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Quote:
There are both linux and windows how-to's on pendrivelinux aren't there?
The only download I can find for pendrivelinux is: Universal-USB-Installer-1.9.6.1.exe

Unetbootin has different versions but I've never seen a pendrivelinux download to run on Linux.
 
Old 08-06-2015, 04:33 PM   #13
jefro
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From LINUX http://www.pendrivelinux.com/#From-Linux

The reason I suggest that you disconnect the internal drive is to protect your data. Installer programs usually follow what the person using the keyboard says to do. (but not always) I have made too many mistakes so I suggest be careful.

You can use almost any machine to create an install to usb. It don't need to be the same make or model or even bit type. Any computer almost with the internal drive removed can make a usb install.

I use a free virtual machine to make live usb's. It's pretty easy since I always have virtualbox and vmplayer on something be it windows or linux.


The pendrive programs out there are safer but most of them don't create a true install. They won't work correctly in all cases like a proper normal install would. They may be faster however on older slower drives.
 
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Old 08-07-2015, 04:42 PM   #14
Saorge
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Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by jefro View Post
From LINUX http://www.pendrivelinux.com/#From-Linux

The reason I suggest that you disconnect the internal drive is to protect your data. Installer programs usually follow what the person using the keyboard says to do. (but not always) I have made too many mistakes so I suggest be careful.

You can use almost any machine to create an install to usb. It don't need to be the same make or model or even bit type. Any computer almost with the internal drive removed can make a usb install.

I use a free virtual machine to make live usb's. It's pretty easy since I always have virtualbox and vmplayer on something be it windows or linux.


The pendrive programs out there are safer but most of them don't create a true install. They won't work correctly in all cases like a proper normal install would. They may be faster however on older slower drives.
Thanks again jefro! I think I am going to try virtualbox for the first time and play a while with it. Creating a usb live will be a good practice!
 
Old 08-07-2015, 09:18 PM   #15
jefro
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A virtual machine is a great way to get going. Good luck.
 
  


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