[Linux-ham] Linux on a Flash Drive

Mon Jul 16 13:42:31 EDT 2007

I am using an HP desktop and an IBM Thinkpad, and I set both to boot from removable storage devices since there was no explicit USB specific option for either, so I  am guessing that's why they did not boot.  

I did see that there is a simple way to make a boot diskette inside DSL to boot from a USB device, so I am going to try that next.  It is not an elegant solution, but at least i won't have to start with the CD.

I have an older Dell that boots up DSLinux with no problems, and I am thinking about turning that one into a learning experience by doing a DSLinux install on it.  It has a working modem, but the network card either is not working, does not have a driver, or is not set up to talk to my DSL modem.  I am going to see if I can get the network card working so that I can get online with that one without using dialup.  However, if I cannot, I still want install DSLinux on that box exclusively.  However, I want to have the option of installing Debian packages from a CD, and I am not sure how to go about it.  

I assume it is doable by copying the desired packages onto a CD, either through Windows or via DSLinux live on my online machine, and then installing them on the DSLinux offline machine using apt.  Of course, I realize this is all based on assumptions, and any advice is appreciated.

Norman

> 
> From: linux-ham-request at trilug.org
> Date: 2007/07/16 Mon AM 11:00:02 EST
> To: linux-ham at trilug.org
> Subject: Linux-ham Digest, Vol 27, Issue 3
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> Today's Topics:
> 
>    1. Re: Linux on a Flash Drive (donroden at hiwaay.net)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2007 23:10:32 -0500 (CDT)
> From: donroden at hiwaay.net
> Subject: Re: [Linux-ham] Linux on a Flash Drive
> To: Amateur Radio meets Linux <linux-ham at trilug.org>
> Message-ID: <1184559032.469aefb8472c4 at webmail.hiwaay.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> 
> I have an 8Gb thumb drive, so I tried loading Ubuntu ( full version )
> and it works as a "first boot" on some older computers, but two of my DELLS 
> just try to access the USB and then report "No Operating System". 
> 
> I'm sure it's a Dell problem, cause I can set up the boot sequence on an older 
> no-name brand, and it comes up just fine.
> 
> Really aggrivating that the Dell can't see the Ubuntu.
> 
> Don WA4NPL
> 
> 
> 
> Quoting Norman Young <normany27597 at bellsouth.net>:
> 
> > Hey, Rob and Don!
> > 
> > Just so happens I spent all of yesterday afternoon setting up Knoppix on
> > a 1 gig flash drive and DSL on a 128 Mb flash.  I tried to do both as
> > bootable drives per instructions I found online, but I could not get
> > them to boot.  I finally settled for copying the ISOs to each drive and
> > using the "bootfrom" cheatcodes for each.  Not sure what I was doing
> > wrong.   I still have to begin the boot from a CD, but as soon as it
> > finds the ISO on the flash, I can remove the CD.  
> > 
> > I also set up DSL to run within Windows using QEMU,and that worksa
> > little slow, but otherwise well.  If I could just get up the nerve to
> > partition a portion of my HD for storage, I'd be in business...
> > 
> > However,I have an older computer that is a really good candidate for an
> > attempt at a DSL install, but it doesn't have a network card.  What kind
> > of problems would I have downloading some of the MyDSL or Debian
> > packages onto a CD in Windows and then uploading it onto the offline DSL
> > machine?  
> > 
> > Oh, and the net sounds like a great idea!
> > 
> > 73,
> > Norman
> > KA4PUV
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > Message: 3
> > Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 09:05:33 -0400
> > From: Rob Rousseau <ki4bke at nc.rr.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Linux-ham] Questions !!
> > To: Amateur Radio meets Linux <linux-ham at trilug.org>,
> > donroden at hiwaay.net
> > Message-ID: <46543C1D.2020104 at nc.rr.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> > 
> > You can try running RUNT on it. It is a homebrewed linux distro created
> > right here in Raleigh.
> > http://runt.mybox.org/
> > It works very well.
> > -Rob, KI4BKE
> > 
> > donroden at hiwaay.net wrote:
> > > Hello All,
> > >
> > > I just bought a USB Flash Drive and would like to use it as the drive
> > where I
> > > store the Linux OS and all the ham progrms that use linux. I think
> > this way,
> > > if I have the drive plugged into the USB, the bootup will be linux,
> > and if I
> > > don't plug it in , I will get a normal boot. What flavor linux does
> > everyone
> > > prefer? I'm starting from scratch, and would like to "get it right".
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Don WA4NPL
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Linux-ham mailing list
> > > Linux-ham at trilug.org
> > > http://www.trilug.org/mailman/listinfo/linux-ham
> > >
> > >
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > Wrong is wrong even if everybody is doing it, and right is right even if
> > nobody
> > is doing it. - Augustine
> > 
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> End of Linux-ham Digest, Vol 27, Issue 3
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