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Topic: Help me clear up some confusion...

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ShaneRay

Group: Members
Posts: 26
Joined: June 2005

Posted: June 27 2005,17:03

I'm getting a little confused with all the options for running DSL.

After reading quite a bit here, I've decided that the "coolest" thing for me to do is put DSL on a USB stick.

So, What I want to do is have my system entirely portable. That is, I want all my email, documents etc to be on that USB drive where ever I may go. What's the best way to do this?

Further, is this in effect a "frugal" install? The definition of that one is confusing me.

As I understand it, you must becareful not to be constantly writing to the USB stick. So, everything would be running in ram then until I save my files and shut it down. Correct?

Thanks for any help...found myself getting more confused as I read

b1ackmai1er Offline

Group: Members
Posts: 115
Joined: June 2005

Posted: June 27 2005,17:52

I'm with you ...

The site definately needs some definitions.

Since Compact flash cards, USB keys and HD's are all bootable block devices it seems any install method can be used successfully.

The differances are in the details:

Embedded is aimed at a USB key install and runs in conjunction with Windows XP
HD install uncompresses the DSL image to a HD filesystem
Frugal install has DSL stored on the compact flash/usb key as a compressed iso.

Hope someone else can fill in the missing details

And corrections of course ;)

Regards b1m1

kahoona

Group: Members
Posts: 2
Joined: June 2005

Posted: June 27 2005,18:21

Last night I downloaded the ISO image of DSL and burned it to a disc. I booted off of the disk and then right-clicked on the desktop and went to "Apps" and I can't remember the sub-menu name but then to " Install to Pen Drive". It took forever for it to format the drive but once it did I changed the boot options to look for "USB-HDD" first and then restarted. Presto! It booted without any complications! It wasn't too bad.

ShaneRay

Group: Members
Posts: 26
Joined: June 2005

Posted: June 27 2005,18:40

Thanks guys

Yep, I know you have the option within the LiveCD to get it onto a USB key.

I guess, for my purposes, I'm confused on how to set up the key.

I think I'll need a couple of partitions? One for DSL, another for the /opt /home directories. And, maybe another for storage of any other data??

As I said, I want my whole system on the USB drive...all tweaks, settings, exteninsions, files etc, booting and loading eachtime.

Thanks

ShaneRay

Group: Members
Posts: 26
Joined: June 2005

Posted: June 28 2005,13:08

Alrighty...

Think I have my head around all this now. If not in-depth knowledge, at least useable.

A HUGE thanks to clivesay for his PDF how-to for a frugal install. I followed that for my old laptop and in doing so many things clicked.

This is fun!!

:cool:

4 replies since June 27 2005,17:03

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Damn Small Linux Board » Damn Small Linux » USB booting » Help me clear up some confusion...