[NBLUG/talk] Linux on USB

[Mark Street]

On 12/26/2011 11:33 AM, glenn at spontaneousdancing.net wrote:
> I come to you with a question.
>
> I need to have a lightweight, x86-compatible (i586 specifically) GNU/Linux
> distribution. I can't use VGA (so X is useless), and require serial
> communication.
>
> I also need to add some additional software packages and need to build my
> own kernel.
>
> The trick is that I need the Linux distro to boot and operate like a
> LiveUSB, in so far as that I can tell my BIOS to boot from USB and
> eventually land in a root shell.
>
> My current solution is insufficient.
>
> I looked into modifying an Ubuntu LiveCD and then putting that onto a USB
> stick. See this: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/InstallCDCustomization
> . This is, however, very tedious.
>

http://www.pendrivelinux.com

I like this one, and I have done many usb stick installs from way back 
.  Works on a Windows box.  Download the Universal USB installer

Fast and easy, just pick a distro from the little app, download it to 
your machine and install on the usb stick.  Make sure to pick a distro 
that fits onto your storage.

Your aim and goal is a bit vague at this point, but the above will get 
you to a root shell booting any distro that you want from a usb drive.  
Used it many times with success, both as a rescue distro as well as 
linux distro installation media to a device.