USB booting :: DSL using setup files in root, not dsl user

I have DSL on a USB stick as HDD. When I boot, it always looks for and runs setup files (.bash_profile, .xinitrc, etc.) in /, not /home/dsl. Is there a boot option that will force running as the DSL user, not root? Or should I just put all my setup files in root instead?

-Thanks! LloydM

Having DSL installed to USB as HDD is not recommended. It will wear out out pendrive. If you do insist on using this method, then the myDSL system is not really designed for typical hard drive installs. We suggest Debian/Synaptic for such installs.

I don't like USB-ZIP because it creates multiple partitions and Windows can only see one of them (my PC is Windows).

I'm using a disposable 64MB pendrive, so I don't care if it wears out. I'm not using myDSL, I just want to run X with backed-up setup files, and use a backed-up .bash_profile to start a WiFi music server automatically.

Even though I have xmodule=fbdev and lang=us in my default boot, I am always asked for lang, USB mouse, and xmodule. The .bash_profile that gets run isn't the customized one I listed in filetool either, so I have to run the musicserver manually.

original here.