Can I install OpenSUSE on a USB Flash Drive?

markw10 · 05-12-2009, 12:28 PM

I want to install OpenSUSE on a netbook I have that's currently running Mandriva.
I know often with a distro you can run the LiveCD/Live USB version from a USB Flash Drive. I understand maybe I can do that but want I want to do is do an actual install. Is this possible?
I assume I'd need to download the distro to my netbook under Mandriva and then after do an install and choose the USB Flash Drive after inserted as the hard drive to install to. Then when I boot up the computer I'd just choose the USB Drive as the bootup drive.
Is this possible though? Would it damage my Mandriva install? Like I said I know I can use the USB Flash Drive likely as a bootup/Live CD type of solution but since I will be using it semi-regularly and saving data at times I'd like to use it simply like another hard drive. Is this possible?

wireonfire · 05-12-2009, 02:57 PM

Yes. Search for unetbootin

colucix · 05-12-2009, 03:01 PM

Some hints here: http://en.opensuse.org/Installing_Su...rnal_USB_Drive

jefro · 05-13-2009, 09:40 PM

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/usb-sus...drive-install/

mag1strate · 05-22-2009, 10:22 AM

Just remember to have a big enough USB Flashdrive, also I would recommend to backup all your files that are in that USB just in case something happens.

markw10 · 05-22-2009, 02:16 PM

Thank you for your advice. Is there a specific type of flash drive I should look at and size? I was thinking of a 16GB. I have access to a Corsair Voyager now which is 16GB.
Also, another brand I've heard of is the OCZ Rally 2. I know that's a faster USB Drive with faster write and read times. Would the Corsair Voyager b fast enough or should I look at something like the OCZ Rally 2 or another brand?

mag1strate · 05-24-2009, 05:22 PM

You want it to be at least 4GB for certain distributions like openSUSE and Fedora, but other than that 16GB is more than enough!

wagscat123 · 05-29-2009, 08:26 PM

I have installed openSUSE to an external hard disk. What I found out is that when you configure the bootloader in Yast, make sure you that the location of GRUB is not sat to be on your MBR or Mandriva partition. Sometimes, if I take the flashdrive to other computers, I have trouble with booting. If you are taking it to other computers, at the GRUB command line on the other computer's regular boot disk type:

root (hdx,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz
initrd /boot/initrd

Replace x with the hard disk number you get with your flashdrive.
(you can also use GRUB that is on a CD)

freshmeadow · 06-01-2009, 03:43 PM

I did a full install of OpenSuse 11.1 on to an 8G USB pendrive using Unetbootin on an Intrepid Ibex machine. Unetbootin downloaded a minimal image and then did a net install of OpenSuse over the internet. I just chose OpenSuse 11.1 from the dropdown list of distributions in Unetbootin.
Good luck!

wagscat123 · 08-04-2009, 10:34 PM

In November, openSUSE 11.2 will be released. I have read from opensuse.org that it will have USB installation support

freshmeadow · 08-05-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagscat123

In November, openSUSE 11.2 will be released. I have read from opensuse.org that it will have USB installation support

I, for one, love openSUSE and cannot wait. I have also tried taking the 11.1 iso on a CD and, using an external CD drive, have installed it with my EEE PC on to an 8 gig USB stick by simply pointing the openSUSE installer to the USB stick as another hard drive. Boots and runs perfectly as a full installation.
Good luck!