usb boot with persistence

zpimp · posted: 2014-06-05 22:09

i am new to linux and want to try a lot of stuff, but first
would like to boot antix from usb with persistence

using easy2boot,
========= SCRAPER REMOVED AN EMBEDDED LINK HERE ===========
url was:"http://www.easy2boot.com/"
linktext was:"http://www.easy2boot.com/"
====================================
, which seems to be a collection of grub4dos scripts that makes it possible to boot iso's directly without unpacking

achieving persistence is done by a different script for each distro, this is for kali

Code: Select all

# For persistence, create an ext2 file called persistence in the root of the boot drive using RMPrepUSB Create ext2 FS button
# Then rename the file to kali64-rw  (do NOT create a file called kali64-rw - you MUST create a file called persistence and then rename it to kali64-rw!)
# (i.e. File Name=kali64-rw  Volume Name=persistence)
# Place ISO in \_ISO\MAINMENU\Linux or \_ISO\LINUX\Linux (and this .mnu file too)
# DOES NOT WORK UNDER NORMAL VM!!!
# IMPORTANT: you MUST run WinContig (Ctrl+F2) before booting E2B.
# Boot to kali and then type following 5 lines to enable persistence - then reboot
#    mkdir /mnt/usb
#    ls /dev/                                                (to see which is the USB device - normally sdb)
#    mount /dev/sdb3 /mnt/usb
#    echo"/ union" >> /mnt/usb/persistence.conf
#    umount /mnt/usb

#The persistent 'volume' needs the persistence.conf file in it!

iftitle [if exist %MFOLDER%/Linux/kali-linux-1.0.5-amd64.iso] Kali Persistent\n kali-linux-1.0.5-amd64 using /kali64-rw persistence file
if exist CD echo WARNING: Cannot use partnew command! && pause && configfile (bd)/menu.lst
set ISO=kali-linux-1.0.5-amd64.iso
#enable parttype output
partnew (hd0,3) 0x0 %MFOLDER%/Linux/%ISO%
# make empty table entry in 3rd position in ptn table
debug 1
parttype (hd0,2) | set check=
debug off
set check=%check:~-5,4%
if"%check%"=="0x00" partnew (hd0,2) 0 0 0
if not"%check%"=="0x00" echo WARNING: PTN TABLE 3 IS ALREADY IN USE! && pause
debug 1
if not exist /kali64-rw echo WARNING: /kali64-rw persistence file not found! && pause
errorcheck off
if"%check%"=="0x00" partnew (hd0,2) 0x0 /kali64-rw
errorcheck on
map %MFOLDER%/Linux/%ISO% (0xff)
map --hook
root (0xff)
# use next line if want username and pwd prompt
# kernel /live/vmlinuz boot=live config live-config.username=root persistence
kernel /live/vmlinuz boot=live noconfig=sudo username=root hostname=kali persistence
initrd /live/initrd.img

from what i understand it involves making a ext2fs partition file on the usb which is layed over the contents of the iso

i read in the wiki
========= SCRAPER REMOVED AN EMBEDDED LINK HERE ===========
url was:"http://antix.mepis.org/index.php?title=Using_liveusb_with_persistence"
linktext was:"http://antix.mepis.org/index.php?title= ... ersistence"
====================================

but i have no idea how to do it

i would also like to make a respin, to replace iceweasel with chromium (it just feels faster), and remove libreoffice
am trying that as im posting this __{{emoticon}}__

BitJam · posted: 2014-06-05 23:45

If you want to make an antiX LiveUSB with persistence please follow our directions, not someone else's. If you want to use someone else's code then you need to get support from them. We offer very advanced LiveUSB persistence and remaster features. You will probably not be able to access them if you bypass our software.

On an existing antiX or MX system, I suggest you create a LiveUSB with the antix2usb application. If you are starting from another Linux distribution or from Windows then I suggest you use Unetbootin to create the LiveUSB. Some things will will go much faster if you use an ext2 or ext3 partition for the LiveUSB instead of fat32 (which is what Windows normally uses) but fat32 will work.

If you use our official software then making your own respin is trivially easy. We also allow you to boot iso files without unpacking but this is deprecated precisely because it makes the creation of respins much more difficult. IMO installing without unpacking iso files is stupid. You save about 30 seconds and then hobble the LiveUSB for the rest of its life. It is penny-wise and pound-foolish.

I've attached a screenshot of the antix2usb application. You just click on the check boxes to enable persistence. In the next iteration of antiX (antiX-14), we plan to make the file creation automatic on the first boot, but until that is released, using antix2usb is the easiest way to make an antiX LiveUSB with persistence.

skidoo · posted: 2014-06-06 02:25

Just want to point out that if you've already installed antix onto pendrive, from within the LiveUSB session
you can setup persistence and it'll take effect next boot. IOW, recreating iso+persistence via antix2usb is optional, not a requirement.

how to:
Within the fluxbox desktop environment, right-click on desktop raises a menu.
Choose menu item"Control Centre" then click the"Live" tab, then click Setup Persistence.
(controlCentre should be accessible from within any of the desktop environments; mentioning fluxbox b/c that's what I'm most familiar with.)
Afterward, each time you boot, selecting the Root Persistence (or Home Persistence, if that's what you've setup) boot menu line will activate the persistence feature.
If for some reason you want to forego persistence during a given boot, you can choose the first boot line instead.

Also, note that when you setup persistence you'll be asked to choose a"persistence mode"
so, in advance, it's probably advisable to refer to the antix documentation regarding modes.
If you elect dynamic root persistence and choose"semi automatic mode", at each shutdown you'll be prompted (asked) whether or not to save changes.
(works for me: nearly always choose the"Root Persistence" boot line, then decide at shutdown whether to commit the changes)

zpimp · posted: 2014-06-06 05:10

thank you for the fast replies

thats what i was looking at last night but it was late
i will reinstall

jdmeaux1952 · posted: 2014-06-06 11:09

Famous words of encouragement:"Never give up. Never surrender."