I'm a new newbe. I'm trying to install Mint on a flash drive, but I keep getting the 'no root file is defined". Could someone help as I'm lost on the page?

Which instructions or guide are you using to install Mint on the flash drive?

The link below gives a very detailed tutorial on installing Linux Mint. You haven't indicated whether you have any other operating system currently on the computer which would be significant. The tutorial below explain how to avoid the error you are getting.

http://www.tecmint.com/linux-mint-18...llation-guide/

I'm trying to create a flash drive to run Linux mint 17.3. The Official Guides don't tell me how to put it on a flash drive. It didn't like my fat32 format. After playing around with "something else", I finally got it installed. To be true full, I don't know how I got installed without destroying my HD. Anyway, many thanks.

One normally doesn't "install" Linux on a flash drive (I assume you're talking about a USB flash drive), you would create a bootable flash drive using one of the many utilities available and an .ISO as a source.

I beg to differ if I may. Not only can you place many forms of Linux on a USB flash drive, this is commonly done as a means of having a portable operating system and a quick search of the internet will show you that this procedure is commonly called "installing" linux on the flash drive.

Examples:

http://www.tuxradar.com/content/how-...sb-flash-drive

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...-Flash-Drive-/

http://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/...-os-usb-drive/

Of course, we still have to ascertain whether or not this actually what the OP is referring to.

The reason that I want to use a USB flash Drive is I have little available space on my hard drive and have no additional bays to add a second hard drive. Also, I’m running Vista and I’m getting tired of Microsoft’s not updating their old operating systems. I have an older computer so decided to go to Linux Mint, learn it, than quit Windows entirely.

I couldn't find out an answer in the user guides. After playing around with the formats, I finally got the installation to work. I was using Fat32 and changed to Ext3. I’m not familiar with the different formats but one article I read said to use format Fat32. I now have a working system on a flash drive.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

what operating system are you using right now? if Linux then a little bit of adding on the xbps for void you can install Void Linux onto a USB Stick, I have done this using both Slackware and Void linux to install Void Linux (full blow OS) onto a USB Stick...

https://wiki.voidlinux.eu/User:Userx


If you need help doing this, if you so choose to, then just pm me in LQ

Right now I have Linux Mint 17.3. I know that's not the latest version but until I get familiar with it I can always upgrade later.

don't wait too long to upgrade you system not much will change as far as how to do things in Linux all because of an update/upgrade.

This is what I really hate about this forum. Somebody always wants to argue over semantics, when they know damn well what you mean. I have never heard creating a bootable USB called an "installation", any more than creating a bootable DVD is an "installation". Aside from the fact that a USB stick would be a poor choice for any permanent use, being unreliable, insecure, and non-fault-tolerant, such an "installation" would be too sluggish to suit most people. The fact that something can be done does not mean it should be done, or that it is good practice. It's obvious if you read what the OP is saying, namely that he's out of hard drive space, what he meant. I'm saying that a USB drive would be a poor choice for anything except evaluation purposes. Considering you can buy recertified hard drives on eBay or from places like Microcenter for as little as $10, it seems like an even more absurd option.

I'm genuinely disappointed that you were upset by my comment. My whole aim in life is to strive for fairness and truth. When you said that "One normally doesn't "install" Linux on a flash drive", and I knew this not to be accurate, I thought that the OP should know this so that they didn't think that their original statement of "I'm trying to install Mint on a flash drive" was incorrect when in fact it is perfectly correct. It was a question of terminology. When, in your original statement, you placed "install" in quotation marks, you were giving the impression that it was the terminology that was wrong, not the action. Or that's how I was concerned that the OP would interpret it anyway. So I felt it incumbent on myself to point out to the OP that the terminology of "installing" Linux on a flash drive was fine.

As it is, I agree with you that installing Linux on a flash drive has its place, but for a day-to-day working system, unless you have very severe privacy concerns or are very itinerant, it's not recommended.

this installing a Linux OS onto a Flash Drive that is not a live ISO was an honest endeavor for myself, so I too seen that this OP wanted to do what I had already accomplished and thought is a normal thought. So I posted what I have worked out in order to do so. Have a full blown Linux Operating System on a USB Stick. it may not be the norm, but Linux is not the norm either, it is free software. In a world that thrives on greed for money to show ones status as a human being. That is twisted logic. Not wanting an Operating System on a USB Stick.


It doesn't matter what one reads into what the OP posted because that is what was done. You took it as face value, as I did. He wanted to know how to install Linux onto a USB Stick and he got what he asked for. Links to how to install Linux On USB Stick.

the fact the OP stated he did not have any more HDD space is irrelevant to the question he asked. If the OP actually wanted to know how to add another HDD to what he already has, or start fresh with a bigger Hard Drive, then he should have asked that instead.


As the OP did not. One then would be in good standing to assume he knows what he is talking about. As you and I did. Regardless of his motivations to ask how to do this. To assume he needs to just install another Hard drive when He asked how to install an OS to a USB Stick. To fix his problem, maybe a true statement. But it is not answering the original question he asked regardless if the OP is out of space or his toast in burning in the toaster. That is just added inlrelevent information to the orginal question.

That clearly indicates he is trying to install MINT on a Flash Drive but is having trouble doing so, and is asking for assistants to do so.

Regardless if it is "normal" or not.

as we see here the OP reiterates that yes this is what he is attempting to do.

He is indeed trying to install Linux Onto a USB Flash drive which can be done. regardless if it is the "norm" or not. Who died and made someone king to decide what is normal when it comes to what mediums can one install a Computer Operating System to?

you answer was not out of line by no means, because if it indeed was then I too was out of line, for giving him an alternative Linux Distro that does have instructions on how to Install it onto a USB Flash Drive. I know they do because I wrote them.

To apologize for someone else misinterpretation of reality is only being an enabler.
The reality was and still is The Op asked for help to install a Linux Distro onto a Flash Drive and nothing more.

to state means clearly that, he got the installation (of Linux) to work (on whatever he was trying to install it to).

I see no error on your part or mine or anyone else that gave him assistant to links on how to install a Linux OS onto a Flash Drive.

the term Flash Drive can be mistaken, though.

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