How to install the Linux operating system from a flash drive. Creating a bootable Ubuntu USB flash drive on Windows
Gone are the days when in order to install on Linux computer, it was necessary in advance. I used to have, and still have, a large stack of disks with different versions Linux. Now that every computer can boot from a flash drive, you don’t have to buy disks at all.
I downloaded a Linux image from the Internet, installed it on a flash drive, and then installed it on my computer from that flash drive. Grace! But not all young Linux users know yet how to install Linux from a flash drive and this short article is for them.
How to install Linux from a flash drive yourself?
To install Linux from a flash drive, you will naturally need a flash drive, at least 4 gigabytes for a medium-sized distribution and at least 8 gigabytes for a full Linux versions, which can usually reach 4 gigabytes.
After this, we need to download the Linux image that we will install. Which Linux to choose? Do I prefer the ones described in this article? However, you can choose any one you like. The downloaded file must have the extension .ISO Usually it is always like this, but some developers may upload images in other formats.
After this, we need to install Linux on a USB flash drive, as described in the article? The process is quite simple and after reading that article you can easily install any Linux on your removable media. After you have installed Linux ON a flash drive, you can install Linux FROM a flash drive.
The next step is booting from this flash drive, and this can cause some difficulties. The fact is that many computers are configured to boot from your hard drive, and if you insert a flash drive into the computer and reboot, nothing will happen. To install Linux from a flash drive, you need to change BIOS settings.
Don’t be alarmed, there’s nothing scary here, just read the article and everything will become clear to you. Let's assume you managed to boot from the flash drive and you saw your new operating system, working in live disk mode (in our case, in live flash drive mode:)
But that’s not all, of course, Linux is not installed yet, although you can already use it directly from the flash drive. But our task is precisely to INSTALL Linux from a flash drive.
Is the Linux installation described in this article? All installation steps are well described there, how to partition the disk, and so on. So there shouldn't be any difficulties.
But if there is something that is not clear to you, then write in the comments and I will try to help you with advice, since I have performed this operation more than once and personally it seems to me that everything is simple. But on the other hand, there may be situations that I have not encountered and I will be happy to complete the article.
In conclusion, I would like to feel sorry for people who use Windows; it still cannot boot from a flash drive and does not have a LIVE operating mode. Shame and shame!
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4 comments
Good day. I can't install Ubuntu in any way. I made a bootable USB flash drive and set everything in the BIOS, but it still doesn’t start.
p.s. formatted the flash drive to fat32, after using the unetbootin-windows-608 utility I wrote down Ubuntu 14.04.2 desktop amd64, freed up space in the hard drive by biting off 50 gigabytes from drive D using standard programs and left the space unoccupied so that Ubuntu itself would create a partition from this space with its file system(couldn’t find how to create Ext3/4(((
Please help me, what am I doing wrong?
IN Lately The Linux operating system is becoming increasingly popular. Distributions based on it are completely free, and the capabilities of each of them are practically not inferior to the more popular and commercial Windows and Mac OS. Since in Russia and other Russian-speaking countries it is customary to use Linux more in a professional environment, some ordinary users For home computers, this fact can be intimidating, which is why they are simply afraid to try using Linux, at least for some time.
You can install Linux using a flash drive.
In fact, quite a lot have been created today Linux builds, which can even be superior to Windows or Mac OS in terms of ease of use. In this article we will describe in great detail what you need to use Linux on your home computer, and we will also provide step by step guide How to create a bootable Linux flash drive and install the system.
Flash drive
Most distributions have installation image ranging in size from 1 to 2 gigabytes. In some cases it can reach 4 gigabytes or more. Therefore for full installation Linux on your computer will need a flash drive of 4 gigabytes or larger, since the image being written must fit on the disk. Most media today fully meet these requirements.
Linux image
Some distributions are designed for professionals, while others can be used even by inexperienced users. These include Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian, Manjaro, openSUSE, Zorin, Fedora and elementaryOS. Go to the distribution website and download the installation image. This can be done either directly from the server or through the BitTorrent protocol, through which downloading to high speed. How to burn any Linux distribution onto a flash drive, read on.
Utility for creating a bootable USB flash drive
To create bootable media, need to use special utility. For Windows is the best the choice would be Rufus, and for Linux - Unetbootin. We will tell you further how to make a bootable USB flash drive using them.
System requirements
For normal operation Linux on your computer must meet certain requirements. Depending on the distribution used and the selected graphical shell, they will be as follows:
- RAM: 1–2 GB.
- Processor: two cores, frequency of at least 1.3–1.6 gigahertz.
- Video card: any modern one.
- Free disk space: at least 4–5 GB.
Linux Installation Procedure
What to pay attention to
Internet connection
It is best when you use a router to connect to the Internet, which assigns network addresses automatically in DHCP mode. If you use direct connection, without a router, it is best when the operator provides dynamic IP address. Otherwise, problems may arise.
Selecting additional components to download
When installing some distributions, especially those based on Ubuntu, you can choose additional components for download and installation. This includes updates to the Linux distribution released at the time of installation, as well as proprietary codecs for playing certain file formats, such as MP3 or flash, as well as drivers for built-in devices on a computer or laptop. Of course, they can be downloaded after installation, but it is best if they are downloaded at this stage, since the system will be immediately ready for use.
Selecting an installation option
Depending on whether you have experience installing other operating systems or not, the utility offers two options for installing the OS and partitioning the file system: automatic and manual. In the first case, you need to place the cursor next to the item that offers to erase the entire contents of the disk and install Linux. When installing everything manually, check the “Other options” or “Manual installation” checkbox.
Hard drive partitioning
Automatic. If you select automatic hard drive partitioning, the installation utility will do everything for you. You will only need to agree with the proposed changes. If you are installing a system from scratch or plan to use Linux as the only operating system on your computer, but do not want to go deep into various settings, you can safely choose automatic marking.
Manual. When installing Linux as a second system, or if you simply want to partition your hard drive by specifying the size of each partition, you will have to create a partition table by clicking on the appropriate button in the menu. Unlike Windows, in Linux there is no concept of drive C or drive D, since the file system is designed on a different principle. Here there is the root of the file system (root), to which all other partitions and directories are connected or, in other words, mounted. There should be 4 of them in total, and each of them should have a specific file system format. Let's list them:
- / - root partition - file system ext4, size from 10 to 50 GB, the operating system is installed into it.
- /boot - is intended for Grub bootloader files, must have an ext2 file system, and its size is approximately 100 MB.
- swap - used for memory swap, file system - swap, size must be equal to the amount of RAM.
- /home - user partition that will occupy everything free space, remaining after completing the remaining sections; file system - ext4.
Add all these dimensions, manually specifying the size of each one. Please note that 1 gigabyte contains 1024 megabytes. Don't forget to check if you have marked everything correctly, otherwise you will have to install everything again.
- Select the default keyboard layout. The next step, which will be offered to you by the installation utility, is to select the main language and keyboard layout. You shouldn't have any difficulties here.
- Time zone change. Next, on the world map, select your location and time zone. Choose the city closest to yours.
- User credentials. Enter your username, which will be displayed in the login window, followed by your login, computer name and login password. If you do not want to enter it every time you turn on the computer, check the appropriate box.
- Complete installation. Once you have entered all the above details, wait a few minutes until the system is fully installed. This usually takes no more than half an hour, even on older computers. To brighten up your wait, you will be shown pictures describing the capabilities of the distribution you are installing.
IMPORTANT. After the installation is complete, reboot, remembering to remove the USB flash drive from the computer and return the BIOS settings to the original ones, then enter the user login and password. On this Linux installation to your computer from a flash drive is completed.
Conclusion
As you can see, installing Linux is not some unusual or very complicated procedure. If you don’t get involved without sufficient experience with specific assemblies designed for professionals, the whole process will take you no more than an hour. In addition, unlike Windows, Linux already has all the essentials installed software, so you don't have to waste time searching for and installing it.
Leave your questions in the comments.
I will show you how to install full-fledged Linux on a flash drive, not a live distribution, but a full-fledged OS with the ability to save changes made to it, using the example of the Linux Mint distribution.
1. Download the distribution ( http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php) and burn the OS image to DVD.
If it is not possible to burn the image to a disk, then you can write it to a flash drive, about this in this article: How to make a USB flash drive with an installation distribution (Linux Live USB).
2. In BIOS, select boot from CD drive
3. After loading the OS, select Install Linux Mint, also insert the flash drive on which you are going to install the OS.
4. Specify the OS language, for example Russian.
5. "Check Availability" free space and Internet connection", click "Continue"
6. In the next step, the Installer will ask you to disconnect the USB flash drive during OS installation; refuse by clicking “No”.
7. Installation type - "Other option"
8. My flash drive is detected as /dev/sdc1. Be sure to indicate "Device to install bootloader:"Your flash drive, in my case it's /dev/sdc1 .
9. Then in the “List of media” double-click on the flash drive /dev/sdc1.
10. Specify the partition file system - Ext4 journaling file system.
11. Put a tick " Format partition".
12. Mount point /.
13. Click OK.
14. A message will appear that you have not specified any partition for swapping, click “Continue”.
Next follow standard instructions installations: name, password, regional standards... The installation process on a USB flash drive can take many times longer than installation on HDD Due to its slowness, the process took me about an hour.
Owners of old laptops, in an attempt to “speed up” the device, express a desire to install Linux. The easiest way to do this is from a flash drive, especially if the gadget is not equipped with optical drive. However, before you get started, you should learn more about this process.
Features of installing Linux from a flash drive
Linux and Windows user experiences may be similar in some situations. But their internal processes are very different. So the installation was not without its peculiarities:
- By launching Linux from a flash drive, the user environment and main programs can be tested without mandatory installation to your hard drive. Therefore, almost all distributions of this OS are called “Live-CD/DVD”.
- Installing Linux from a flash drive or disk can be done either as the only system on a PC, and next to another OS.
- To record the distribution, you should use working USB drives, since low-quality media can overheat and turn off during installation.
- It is not recommended to install using a USB flash drive via USB hubs. Especially if, in addition to the storage with the installer, other equipment is connected to it. This can cause a lot of problems.
Programs for installing Linux from a flash drive
There is a huge list software for recording operating system distributions onto USB drives. But the most versatile and proven is Unetbootin, as it works on both Windows and Linux.
How to burn an image using Unetbootin:
- Download the program from the link
- Run it, specifying that the target will be a disk image.
- By clicking the button with three dots, specify the distribution image.
- Select the type “USB Device”.
- Specify the carrier letter. If the media is connected in a single copy, the program detects it automatically.
- Click "Ok". The data on the media will be lost.
Everything is ready to start installing Linux from a flash drive to a laptop. You can close the program.
How to install Linux from a flash drive
The variety of Linux distributions does not allow us to talk about all types of installers at once. However, the most common among users are Debian builds, which include Ubuntu, Fedora, Zorin OS, ALTLinux, etc. And their installers give a complete picture of the ways and how you can install Linux. First, you need to boot from a flash drive. You need to get into the BIOS.
BIOS setup
Attention! On most laptops, you can get into the BIOS by holding or constantly pressing the F2 key when turning on the device.
However, depending on the manufacturer and model, the keys and their combinations may vary.
- MSI laptops – Del key, F2.
- Dell – Del, F1, Insert or
- Acer – F1, F2, Delete, Ctrl+Alt+Escape.
- Packard Bell – Del, F2.
- Hewlett Packard – F2, F11, Del.
Also available from some manufacturers Boot Menu, from which you can immediately select a device to boot, bypassing the BIOS settings. It is usually accessible by pressing the keys – F10, F11 or F12.
If the Boot Menu is missing, but you managed to get into the BIOS, then the setting for most laptop models looks like this:
Installing Linux using Fedora as an example
Attention! Manual marking for installing the operating system creates more favorable conditions for its further use.
- After booting from the flash drive, the user will be greeted with the following window, in which you need to select the “Start Fedora-Workstation” item and press “Enter”.
- will appear start page installer “Install to” button Hard Drive" starts the installation.
- Next you need to select your language and region.
- Click on the Installation Location button.
- Select the hard drive on which Linux will be unpacked.
- Set the device configuration to the “In your own way” mode and click “Finish”.
- Next, change the partition scheme to “Standard partition”.
- Click on the “+” button to begin partitioning the disk.
- Click the “Done” button.
- Then start the process by clicking on the “Start installation” button.
- The unpacking process will begin.
- When Fedora notifies you that the unpacking process is complete, click Exit.
- Then, in the control menu, restart your PC and remove the USB drive.
- The first time you launch Fedora, you'll see a welcome screen, where the last screen will be to enter your username and password.
- At the end of the setup, click on the “Get Started” button, and that’s it Fedora installation from the flash drive is completed.
Installation from a Zorin OS flash drive occurs through a standard installer for Debian-like builds and has minimal differences from this process in Linux Fedora. Namely:
Installation from a flash drive of ALTLinux and most other operating systems based on this kernel, such as Ubuntu, Elementary, Deepin and others, is the same, only the interfaces differ.
If Linux cannot be installed from a flash drive: common errors
Despite the apparent ease of installation, no one is immune from problems with it. If Linux cannot be installed from a flash drive, most likely:
- The BIOS settings have disappeared or were not installed correctly. Check your settings and save them again. If the situation does not change, try replacing the battery with motherboard laptop, it is responsible for saving settings, date and time on the device.
- If there is more than one on the computer hard drive After installing the Linux OS, go to the BIOS and use the first boot device to select the hard drive on which the distribution was unpacked.
- Broken image or poor quality recording. This can usually be verified using MD5 sums, but not all distributions come with them. So the most reliable option would be to re-download the Linux image from the official website (without parallel downloads of anything), and then write it to a USB drive without any extraneous running processes.
- Incorrectly marked hard drive. When the root section is smaller than recommended in system requirements specific assembly.
- The bootloader was installed on the wrong disk.
Conclusion
Recently, Linux has ceased to be a product intended exclusively for computer professionals. Thanks to this, anyone who reads this article will be able to independently install Linux from a flash drive.
Background
"Pocket distribution" is quite a convenient thing, because the vast majority of computers run on Windows control, and many people want to get a familiar work environment outside the home.
For a long time I used an SD card with SLAX. The distribution is convenient, customizable, can completely load into RAM and free up the port. However, the project has been frozen for 3 years and has outdated software. Lack of support for ext4 file systems and new hardware (especially video cards and WI-FI routers) forced me to abandon this system.
UPD: Slax has already been defrosted and released a new version. Details.
Next, I came up with the idea of installing the OS on a flash drive using built-in tools Ubuntu systems. But due to irrational preservation of changes, this system had to be abandoned. In the end, it was decided to use an installer called Ubiquity. It is this that is contained in the LiveCD and installs it onto the hard drive. Since this option requires much more space than the default CD image, I purchased a new 16 GB flash drive - Apacer AH325:
The distribution for installation was selected Linux Mint 12, which was already mentioned earlier. In general, you can use any Linux system, but it is better to opt for Ubuntu or ubuntu-based distributions.
Note: if you are going to make full use of the temporary partition (for example, watch videos big size on YouTube), then it is better to increase the 100 megabyte limit. I don’t recommend removing the limit, because a frozen application can crash the entire system, filling up the temporary folder with its copies.
First boot
...as always, it lasts a long time. The main thing is to wait until the download is complete and do not interrupt it, otherwise the file system of the flash drive may be damaged.You should then be greeted by the LightDM menu. After entering your password you will receive the full working system. You can begin further configuration and downloading packages. However, the best thing to do first is to open Update Manager and bring the system into current status. Everything else depends on your needs and tastes. But that is another story...
Results
So, the end result is a bootable flash drive, which is a full-fledged Linux desktop capable of handling almost any task.On my own behalf, I advise you to always produce backup important data "to the cloud" (Ubuntu One,