Install to usb stick as 'livecd'

anticapitalista · posted: 2008-05-31 17:11

For those that don't have a cd/dvd player and/or wish to install antiX to a usb stick as a livecd:

Download instructions and file here:

========= SCRAPER REMOVED AN EMBEDDED LINK HERE ===========
url was:"http://www.mepisimo.com/antix/"
linktext was:"http://www.mepisimo.com/antix/"
====================================

The instructions are antiX-to-usb-stick.txt
The files are usb-M7.2-live.tgz or usb-M7.2-base-live.tgz

This is experimental. Testers welcome.

(Maybe at some point this could be made into a script)

runtt21 · posted: 2008-06-23 21:07

What size of usb flash drive would you recommend?

anticapitalista · posted: 2008-06-23 21:33

I have antiX-M7.2-base on a 512 MB stick. I pre-formatted it so antiX is on a 388MB partition (it uses just under 200MB) and the rest is a fat partition for saving data.

For antiX-M7.2 full, I suppose 1GB in total would be better, but 512MB should be ok. antiX should fit on a partition of about 400MB.

lagopus · posted: 2009-01-12 22:23

iso2usb.sh script: testers welcome

The script is a customization of fll-iso2usb.sh from the sidux projects.
What does the script do? ...from the original sidux script:

Code: Select all

#
# given an usb pen, eg /dev/sdb, /dev/sdc we create ** one **  partition on that 
# device make it bootable, format it with ext3
# install grub into it
# copy the message file into the grub dirs
# create directory for iso, kernel, initrd (eg sidux)
# copy the files into there.
# create the menu.lst file on it
#

The iso file is copied to the root of the mounted device and menu.lst is configured to boot with the fromiso cheatcode
One minor issue: the fromhd=UUID=xxxxxx option is not recognized, so all available partitions are scanned before the iso is found.

On a 1GB partition you can store 2 isos, for instance M-7.5 and M8, and boot either of the two distros after manually editing menu.lst

I do not burn any more antiX CDs. I use the script on my laptop running Mepis M8. It should work on any Debian system (not tested) and maybe Ubuntu systems (?).

I tested the live-usb stick on my antiX target system Asus eeepc701. Runs in live-usb mode. Wifi works. And minstall (antiX installer) works.

Next step:
test and debug the script in the running live-CD system

TODO:
1) Build a second partition on the stick formated ext2 or ext3 or vfat to carry some data (and not waste space)
2) a GUI ?

If anybody is interested, we will find a way to share the file.

Regards
Yves

eriefisher · posted: 2009-01-13 01:28

I'd be interested in trying it out. If your looking for a place to post so others can d/l.

========= SCRAPER REMOVED AN EMBEDDED LINK HERE ===========
url was:"http://www.savefile.com"
linktext was:"http://www.savefile.com"
====================================
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false

username: antixusers
password: allusers

Just post the link it gives you when you finish uploading and then anyone can d/l.

lagopus · posted: 2009-01-13 20:14

Thanks eriefisher for the link

Posted a tgz file:

========= SCRAPER REMOVED AN EMBEDDED LINK HERE ===========
url was:"http://www.savefile.com/files/1964386"
linktext was:"http://www.savefile.com/files/1964386"
====================================
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false

Waiting for your feedback

Yves

anticapitalista · posted: 2009-01-13 21:27

Great job lagopus!

Tried it from a hard disk to usb device and it worked perfectly and quickly.

The fromhd with uuids does as you say, it scans the devices until it finds the correct one.
What does work is to use fromhd=/dev/sdc1 (usb device on my box). Don't know how easy/possible to do that it.

I would also like to see a longer menu.lst. The default you have is great, but maybe to have alternative options ie drvr=vesa toram lean Xtralean (cheatcodes).

I also like your todo number 3 ie extra partition for data and if you can make it with a gui, well that would be absolutely fantastic.

This is a great addition to antiX.

masinick · posted: 2009-01-13 22:10

anticapitalista wrote:Great job lagopus!

Tried it from a hard disk to usb device and it worked perfectly and quickly.

The fromhd with uuids does as you say, it scans the devices until it finds the correct one.
What does work is to use fromhd=/dev/sdc1 (usb device on my box). Don't know how easy/possible to do that it.

I would also like to see a longer menu.lst. The default you have is great, but maybe to have alternative options ie drvr=vesa toram lean Xtralean (cheatcodes).

I also like your todo number 3 ie extra partition for data and if you can make it with a gui, well that would be absolutely fantastic.

This is a great addition to antiX.

I echo Anticapitalista's comments. This is truly a great addition to AntiX and I hope all the fine nuances can be worked out so that this can truly look like an integral component to AntiX. I think that would be yet another piece that would further strengthen an already strong set of product features. I think even SimplyMEPIS could benefit from a smoother USB installation experience. The one that sidux has is a dream, so this is a great addition. I look forward to trying it out soon.

eriefisher · posted: 2009-01-14 01:03

Code: Select all

Error: device not found: /media/sdb1

This is what I get when I run the script. It doesn't seem to matter whether the stick is mounted or not. If I use /dev/... instead of /media/... I get

Code: Select all

Cannot access file /sys/block/sdb1
Error: device not found: /dev/sdb1

What am I doing wrong?

lagopus · posted: 2009-01-14 11:27

Thanks to all of you

You are very responsive, I am really impressed.
The congratulations go to the initial authors of the script.
I basically did some modifications to remove/adapt sidux specific stuff.

I am at work and do not have time to respond to all of us.

eriefisher: the **device** should be named /dev/sdx and not /dev/sdx1 (existing partition); I did once the mistake, maybe we should issue a better error message. the device is expected to exist in /sys/block

anti: feel free to post on mepis forum, if you think the script is robust enough.

Thanks again

Yves

oldhoghead · 14 Jan 2009, 16:01 #11 2009-01-14 16:01

Just tried out the script, worked great, I have been doing this manually, so this is a welcome addition, thanks for the contribution lagopus!!!

cheers,
oldhoghead

eriefisher · posted: 2009-01-15 00:52

Ok I got it to work. It took a couple of tries and some formating with gparted but I'm now running it on my wife's aspire one which has, ahem, Xp, cough. Quite zippy.

Here is a preview of what i'm working on.

anticapitalista · posted: 2009-01-15 00:59

Firstly, glad you got the script to work.

Secondly, your antiX-xfce project is looking really good.
Let us know how it is coming on.
Can't wait to give it a test.

eriefisher · posted: 2009-01-15 01:21

The base is there and works, just need to set themes and defaults etc.

masinick · posted: 2009-01-15 16:41

eriefisher wrote:The base is there and works, just need to set themes and defaults etc.

That is looking pretty good! Gonna include some shots of Lake Erie in your themes, by any chance? __{{emoticon}}__

Depending on where and when you take or acquire such photos, they could be really nice and make a very nice"Erie" theme - if you do that, I'd LOVE to see it!

For that matter, some pics from your Lake Huron excursion a few months ago would be nice too - in the middle of that snowstorm, no less! __{{emoticon}}__