USB booting :: sda1 = "Irregular" = cdrom?  Argh...



Got my old usb install working again, sort of.  I had deleted the old KNOPPIX, and had too much (win) stuff installed that I couldn't afford to reformat.  Installed to a diff't USB, and re-copied all install files over.  

I can now boot into DSL 2.2b, but once I do, it doesn't remember any of  my previous changes... why?  Because even tho' I can BOOT from the USB, I can't MOUNT the same one.  Sigh.

The sda1 is listed as "irregular" in the mounting tool.  If I try to mount it, I get the message that "This partition is already mounted at /cdrom/".

OK, what did I totally screw up?  Is there a setting that will set this USB stick straight so I can continue booting from it and go on about my merry way SAVING to it?

For the record, it is a Memorx 512mb 2.0 device.  I copied the files from a Dell 256mb 2.0 device -- that originally gave me fits because Dell shipped it w/ four (4) partitions and I couldn't manipulate it in Win.  Had to delete the parts in Linux, then re-part in Win, format, etc.  It still has heart burn.

Anyone?  Anyone?  Beuler?
Boot using the "toram" parameter to have KNOPPIX loaded into ram and sda1 umounted for future use.
Boot using the "frugal" parameter to have sda1 remounted read-write on /cdrom while still using KNOPPIX on sda1.
Whoa, that was fast!  Posted, took my son to the dentist, and voila, a reply.

Thanks Mik

> Boot using the "toram" parameter to have KNOPPIX loaded
> into ram and sda1 umounted for future use.

This is the way that it boots now, but when I try to mount sda1, I get the "irregular" status.  I can't mount it, period (the "already mounted as CDROM" message) - no "future use" to it.

> Boot using the "frugal" parameter to have sda1 remounted
> read-write on /cdrom while still using KNOPPIX on sda1.

I will try this... I haven't tried "Frugal", so I'll have to read up on it.  I just don't understand why the USB memory stick would be mounted as CDROM.  Would it be because I built the distro on it from a file (ISO image from the HD)?

I was hoping to build the MyDSL packages into the USB, and then rebuild another ISO from that.  I will make mini-CDs from the result, but I don't want to make multiple intermediate copies if I don't have to.  I'm still new to the "brewing your own" package scene.
I'm not sure why you'd have trouble mounting it if you are booting with the toram option.  The drive *should* have been unmounted after loading KNOPPIX into ram...or at least that's the way i understand the process.
I have the same issue. Even with toram it stays there mounted at the end of the boot process. At first I thought it was related to adding cheat codes in the usb-making proccess, but then I figured out it stays mounted for DSL to be able to store customizations you do while using the distro (like putting the bookmark items after the menu items and thus getting rid of the bookmark toolbar :D )

Now I feel (almost) guilty for being too conformist :D
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