Syslinux - Sep 2009 - Booting linux install on usb key using extlinux

Hi,

The examples for making a bootable usb key using extlinux just transfer a live 
cd to usb. To me, this misses the advantage of usb keys (other than size), 
that they are writable. I would like to have a full linux install on a usb 
key and be able to boot it using extlinux. This way I can install new 
packages and make other changes without jumping through squashfs hoops. Is 
there reason why this won't work? Any advice on how to configure extlinux to
make this work?

Thanks,
Shocky
-- 
These are my opinions. Get your own.

On Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 05:52:00PM -0600, Shocky wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> The examples for making a bootable usb key using extlinux just transfer a
live
> cd to usb. To me, this misses the advantage of usb keys (other than size), 
> that they are writable. I would like to have a full linux install on a usb 
> key and be able to boot it using extlinux. This way I can install new 
> packages and make other changes without jumping through squashfs hoops. Is 
> there reason why this won't work? Any advice on how to configure
extlinux to
> make this work?
That's nothing to do with extlinux. You can install standard distros
(Fedora, Ubuntu, etc.) in a USB pen, with their default boot loader.

You can then install extlinux over their bootloader, but you miss
automatic configuration updates for kernel upgrades.

You can even do a rsync or dd of an existing Linux system, change fstab
and re-create the initrd with USB modules, and then install extlinux or
the original bootloader.

-- 
lfr
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