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Best Linux to use from memory stick?

crashb648

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Posted November 17, 2012 at 10:40AM

Hey there everyone!

I currently have windows xp installed on my computer downstairs, and Ubuntu upstairs. I was just wondering if there is a version of ubuntu or another linux that can be run from a memory stick, without duel booting or messing up windows?

Any queries don't hesitate to ask :)

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bluesbrother

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Posted November 17, 2012 at 11:39AM

Most folk, when they have some free time, watch tv or read a book.

Me, I put some music on, fire up the PC plug in a 8gb stick I keep for just these times and run Universal-USB-Installer and pick a Distro I haven't tried yet. They have quite a selection available from the dropdown box.

Universal-USB-Installer

I keep Linux Mint on a larger drive for everyday use. Its every bit as good as Win 7, better if you take in to account the free software thats available.

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LastChip

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Posted November 17, 2012 at 1:06PM

I too am using Linux Mint at the moment, but Ubuntu, SuSE and many others will work fine.

Simply use a distro you're comfortable with and use UNetbootin to create the USB stick.

The key really is; will the computer you want to boot via a USB stick allow it in the BIOS? Older machines often do not have that capability.

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Marg7

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Posted November 17, 2012 at 11:39PM

Another option if you have enough hard drive space and RAM is to use Virtual Box to create a 'virtual machine' in Windows and install the distro of your choice. This runs from within Windows so you can switch seamlessly between operating systems without rebooting. It is a great way to try out different distros without messing anything up.

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

If you install Virtual Box you need to install the extension pack (on the host i.e. Windows) and the guest additions (on the guest i.e. Linux) to have it run smoothly and fully functioning.

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