Dual Boot from USB stick?

Sigshane · 04-13-2012, 04:49 PM

Hello all. I have a question to throw into the arena. (If this issue has already been addressed/resolved, kindly point me in the right direction.)

I want to dual boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu, but I want Ubuntu to boot only when I install a "grub"-type USB stick. So if the USB stick is not inserted, Windows boots normally. (Reason is, I share this computer with some non-computer-savvy folks, and wouldn't want them to hurt themselves in Linux )

Is this possible?

yancek · 04-13-2012, 05:50 PM

You should be able to install the Ubuntu Grub to a flash drive. You don't indicate what, if anything you will have on the drive besides Grub?
Check the Ubuntu link below, Section 12 has several methods. If you are successful, then set the flash drive to first boot priority. When it is plugged in, it should boot Ubuntu, when it is not plugged it will boot windows.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2

Sigshane · 04-13-2012, 05:57 PM

Yes, well, the ONLY thing I want on the USB stick is GRUB. I want to use it like a car key - it will only boot into Ubuntu. I want the Ubuntu OS and files, etc. to be on a dedicated partition on my computer, I just don't particularly like the purple OS choice screen when I reboot every time.

Make sense?

273 · 04-13-2012, 06:10 PM

I'm sorry, I don't know exactly how to achieve this, but you ought to be able to install Ubuntu whilst the USB stick is in there and tell it to write the MBR and GRUB to it and that ought to do what you want.
Bear in mind, however, that some BIOSs will only retain the boot from USB option while the device is still there. So, with that type of BIOS, every time you plug your USB stick into the PC you will have to change the BIOS to tell it to boot from USB.

Sigshane · 04-13-2012, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 273

... tell it to write the MBR and GRUB to it...

Now that is a promising notion. I will try it, and report my findings.

Thanks!

jefro · 04-13-2012, 07:32 PM

I'd remove any connection to your real hard drive(s).

Then install all the linux you want to the usb. Be sure you power down system and insert the usb before you power back on. Be sure bios see's the usb as a hard drive. If not then you may have to fool with way the usb is.

There are also many tools and web how-to's on ways to use syslinux, grub, grub4dos to boot images or folders and such.

By the way. The iso deal at pendrivelinux would save a lot of space. Any real install is not compressed.
Multiboot and yumi might be good to start with.