How to save data , if i boot from USB

Forum: Other Help Topics
Topic: How to save data , if i boot from USB
started by: Sajith

Posted by Sajith on Dec. 31 2005,12:57

Hello DSL friends,

I am new to DSL and Linux. I have insalled DSL 2.0 in my 128 MB pen drive successfuly. It works perfect. I want to use DSL to learn Shell scripting. Now i have a question, if i create a file ( say shell scripting file ) where will it save ? Will it save to the bootable USB drive ?

Also, i have noted that , if i down load any file from internet, it goes to/RAMDISK/DSL . where is this located ? in side USB (sda1) ?
Or, will these files be lost when i restart the PC ?

Please note that i do not have ANY HDD in my system, i am completly depend on USB drive and an external HDD.

Thank you,
Sajith

Posted by roberts on Dec. 31 2005,19:06

The answers really depends on how DSL was installed to the pendrive.
Hopefully it was with one of the DSL provided scripts.
That way we have a known starting point.

If it is a USB-ZIP then typically you would have an sda1 and sda2,
if it is a USB-HDD then typically one single sda1

Now for saving stuff, there are really two areas:

Large static applications, i.e., myDSL extensons.
These are typically downloaded to /tmp,
If you wish to keep some or all you should copy them over to
to the pendrive, as user root, or use emelm as super user
to /sda2 for USB_ZIP or /cdrom for USB-HDD
You can optionally make a directory called /optional and
copy less used extensions there.
A menu will be created but they won't all load into ram.

The second type is the personal files in /home
Such as the shell scripts that you mentioned.
They are included in the system backup
As well as some of the shared files in /opt.
The process to have complete control on which files are to be included
are controlled by a list file called .filetool.lst and excluded by a file called .xfiletool.lst.
The backup device is shown by using the control panel and using the Backup/Restore button.

We wouldn't want to the use backup and restore process to save large static mydsl extensions as it would be too slow and would be constantly re-writing, when nothing changes. Also would not be good for flash type devices like pendrive. So we write once and ready many for the extenions.

Read Getting Started for more details.

HTH