Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

Hi

Info:
fossapup64-9.5
cpu: i7-4790k
32gb memory
gpu: gtx 970 4gb
os native to pc: centos7


I've searched for this but couldn't find a point by point guide.

What I'm trying to do is to create a live usb where the session data (save folder?) is on the live usb that you booted from.

I have got as far as booting successfully into puppy linux from a usb created by dd'ing the iso downloaded from http://puppylinux.com/download.html to a formatted 16GB usb. The dd command was sudo dd if=/x.iso= of=/dev/sdy

But when I reboot and am asked where to put the save folder, there is no ext4 entry pointing at the boot usb. There are some fat partitions <10mb.

I can get persistence if I place the save folder on the pc's ssd,

I look at the usb and there is a large ~14gb partition that is unformatted. There is also a ~420mb iso partition.

In short, how do I create a live usb that is also persistent without saving the session to the pc?


Thanks
Michael

Hi Michael

dd'ing the iso image creates a read-only partition on the usb drive, so basically it's like a CD. To use the rest of the USB you need to run a fix-usb.sh to enable the use of the remainder of the USB. You can then create additional partitions on the remainder of the USB drive Fossapup doesn't include the fix-usb.sh in the iso. I'm not in fossapup at the moment, so can't advise if you may be able to find it in PPM.

Just some additional clarification, you mentioned you had a formatted partition. The dd command is destructive, in its action. The target drive (of=) is wiped and takes the format of the source (if=) which would be iso9660 ~420MB.

I'm sure other members will post shortly and give you more complete instructions.

Basically that dd command makes a USB drive install that is the same as a live CD/DVD install and closed UN-writable.

If you use one of these programs that are for installing to a USB drive it should allow saving to the USB.
USB installer programs 0ther OS's use to install Puppy to USB
viewtopic.php?f=85&t=157

If you have another USB drive you can install Fossapu64 9.5 on.
Running Fossapup64 9.5 from the USB you have made.
The installers in Fossapup can do a much better job and there are several of them.

I suggest Frugalpup Installer

Drive labels are going to depend on number of drives on the computer.
So, you do need to be careful to select the correct drive label, when offered to select.

This is what I do.

Using Gparted program.
Setup the USB stick with 2 partitions.
First one, small 300MB, fat32 format, flagged boot. (location for boot loader files, boot partition)
Rest of drive, whatever other partition(s), but one ext3 or 4 format. (location to put frugal installs)
(this is UEFI standard requirement, and some computers, look for a fat32 partition, for boot loader files)

Run Frugalpup Installer main program.
On the main window are selection buttons.
Select the Puppy button, to do the install.
Go through install process, selecting to install to the ext formatted partition.
Note:
When selecting the partition to install to.
A window pops up, giving option to make a directory, to put the frugal install in.
I make this directory and usually name it, the name of the Puppy version.
Carefully read that windows info.
Press enter, makes the directory, not the OK button.
complete the install.

When it gets back to the main Frugalpup window.
Select the boot button.
Select the location of the frugal install, on the USB stick.
Select the first small 300MB partition on the USB stick, as location to install the boot loader. (may need to scroll the selection window)
Select the boot loader type.
UEFI
mbr ->legacy bios boot
both

You can install the UEFI for UEFI computers, mbr for legacy bios computers, or both, to boot anything.

The UEFI will also install the needed files, to support secure boot enabled in UEFI.

When you first boot the USB stick, on a UEFI computer, with secure boot enabled.
A process will start, to allow you to install the Puppy security key, to the computer.
It will add this Puppy key, to the other ones, loaded on the computer.

Note:
Not all UEFI computers are the same, for booting from a USB stick.
Some may require secure boot disabled, CSM enabled, or legacy boot enabled, to be able to boot from a USB stick.
So, for those computers.
The mbr boot loader will work, because the UEFI bios, is basically in, legacy bios operation.

To put more frugal installs on the same USB stick.
Do the complete process again, for the new Puppy version.
When you run the boot loader install.
It will make entries, for all installs it finds, on the USB drive.

Thanks for your replies.

I will try your suggestions.

Michael