Linux linux from 256mb usb?! possible?!

Discussion in 'Software' started by bixie_62, 20 Jun 2006.

  1. bixie_62

    bixie_62 Minimodder

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    hey all

    was wondering if it was at all possible to boot a linux distro from a USB key. more specifically, a 256mb USB key!

    it quite simply needs to be able to access the internet as a priority and a file browser/network browser would be nice!!

    let me know what the linux guru's are a-thinking! am kinda keen to get into linux!

    ta :thumb:
     
    bixie_62, 20 Jun 2006
    #1
  2. Glider

    Glider /dev/null

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    Access the internet as in firefox or as in links/lynx? Because for Firefox Xserver is a dependency, and for Links/lynx it isn't, which makes a huge difference...
     
    Glider, 20 Jun 2006
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  3. Herbicide

    Herbicide Lurktacular

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    Herbicide, 20 Jun 2006
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  4. simon w

    simon w What's a Dremel?

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    simon w, 20 Jun 2006
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  5. dfhaii

    dfhaii internets

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    Check out zipslack ( http://www.slackware.com/ ), it's designed to run from a USB key.

    'ZipSlack is a special edition of Slackware Linux that can be installed onto any FAT (or FAT32) filesystem with about 100 MB of free space.'

    Col
     
    dfhaii, 20 Jun 2006
    #5
  6. bixie_62

    bixie_62 Minimodder

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    i installed DSL on it but i cant boot off it on my computer. takes the pi*s

    i've got options to boot from USB zip and USB cdrom and USB floppy. no USB key. doesnt boot if i select USB floppy, cant think of anything else to try!

    its an ABIT av8 by the way!

    do mac's support booting from usb?
     
    bixie_62, 21 Jun 2006
    #6
  7. Glider

    Glider /dev/null

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    Try the other 2 usb devices? ;) cdrom's interface is the same as hd's... so that could match...
     
    Glider, 21 Jun 2006
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  8. Moriquendi

    Moriquendi Bit Tech Biker

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    Is there an option to emulate usb keys as floppy disks, might work.

    Moriquendi
     
    Moriquendi, 21 Jun 2006
    #8
  9. bixie_62

    bixie_62 Minimodder

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    is there any way i can actually EMULATE an ENTIRE computer environment WITHIN windows?

    i'd like to be able to test the USB keys one by one (i may need to make in excess of 20usb keys with some form of linux on them) and i'd like to be able to test them without having to reboot EACH time!
     
    bixie_62, 21 Jun 2006
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  10. Glider

    Glider /dev/null

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    VMWare is a virtual PC emulator, and the VMWare player is free (and quite lightweight)
     
    Glider, 21 Jun 2006
    #10
  11. bixie_62

    bixie_62 Minimodder

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    downloading vmware player now!
     
    bixie_62, 21 Jun 2006
    #11
  12. Glider

    Glider /dev/null

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    I tried installing my gentoo system there first... you need another tool to create the virtual drives... but I'll google the guide I had for you, gimme a sec

    EDIT: This is the guide I used.

    You need QEMU (also freeware, link on site from guide) and create a virtual disk image (it's a file on your HD). Like this:
    Code:
    qemu-img.exe create -f vmdk c:\vmware\debian.vmdk 10G
    Whereis vdmk the type, c:\... the location and 10G the max size...

    Then you have to make a file (in notepad) with this as content (adapt where nececarry); Filename has to be XXX.vmx
    Code:
    config.version = "8"
virtualHW.version = "3"
memsize = "256" [B]<-- Amount of RAM allocated to virtual PC[/B] 
ide0:0.present = "TRUE"
ide0:0.fileName = "debian.vmdk"  [B]<-- name of the virtual image[/B] 
                                                                               
ide1:0.present = "TRUE"
ide1:0.fileName = "auto detect"
ide1:0.deviceType = "cdrom-raw"
floppy0.fileName = "A:"                                             
ethernet0.present = "TRUE"
ethernet0.connectionType = "nat"
usb.present = "TRUE"
sound.present = "TRUE"
sound.virtualDev = "es1371"
displayName = "Debian Sarge" 
guestOS = "other26xlinux" 
nvram = "debian.nvram" [B]<-- name of the virtual ramdisk[/B] 
scsi0:0.redo = ""                                               
ethernet0.addressType = "generated"
uuid.location = "56 4d 4a 15 2a 3f 49 70-03 c9 82 f3 02 82 dc 4c"
uuid.bios = "56 4d 4a 15 2a 3f 49 70-03 c9 82 f3 02 82 dc 4c"
ide1:0.autodetect = "TRUE"
ethernet0.generatedAddress = "00:0c:29:82:dc:4c"
ethernet0.generatedAddressOffset = "0"
checkpoint.vmState = "debian.vmss" [B]<-- you can clear this IIRC, otherwise the file where resume info is stored[/B] 
tools.remindInstall = "TRUE"
ide0:0.redo = ""
    It might need a bit of fiddleing around, but you'll get it ;)
     
    Last edited: 21 Jun 2006
    Glider, 21 Jun 2006
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  13. bixie_62

    bixie_62 Minimodder

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    hey glider

    well i followed that link (its in a chinese language! lol) i managed to download qemu, but dont quite know what to do with it!

    how/where do i type that line?

    thank you!
     
    bixie_62, 22 Jun 2006
    #13
  14. horse

    horse What's a Dremel?

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    Creating VMWare Images

    I've been looking at creating Virtual Machines for Windows to try out Live CD's and installs of various OS's

    I found some help here

    there are some sample disk images there, i also found a suitable machine for installing XP or other Windows (cannot remember where though)

    Here is a VM for running live CD's without installing anything

    More inf for creating blank VM's
    Here and here
     
    horse, 26 Jun 2006
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  15. Cabe

    Cabe What's a Dremel?

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    Cabe, 26 Jun 2006
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  16. Zidane

    Zidane What's a Dremel?

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    ok, i'm late to the party, but folks, i am *amazed* nobody here has suggested http://www.easyvmx.com/ for the virtual machine setups!

    i use it all the time when i just need a quick blank machine, it creates the virtual machine files, and the hard-drives, and bundles them up in a nice shiny .zip for you :) if you want to fiddle with the options you can configure just about anything you like.
     
    Zidane, 26 Jun 2006
    #16
  17. bender386

    bender386 What's a Dremel?

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    get vmware server its free and can make the virtual machines.
     
    bender386, 29 Jun 2006
    #17
  18. Tulatin

    Tulatin The Froggy Poster

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    USB Keys are treated as hard disks unless otherwise expressively formatted. Make your key have the #1 spot in hard disk boot priority, and see what happens.
     
    Tulatin, 30 Jun 2006
    #18
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