Problems with making a persistent Ubuntu live USB drive

buddy215, on 29 March 2012 - 02:21 PM, said:

You can purchase a drive with a persistent install of Ubuntu....4 GB USB ...........$21.95 USD
Welcome to Linux Cd.org - Ubuntu

How can I be assured that it'll work? It's essentially really the same thing. I CAN make a persistent Ubuntu USB drive, the problem is it doesn't boot in my PC. Besides I am a school student, I don't have too much money to spend. Also, the website you pointed me to is full of ads and nothing else really.

The syslinux file I posted received a lot of downloads, so it most obviously means that people are trying to help. And I appreciate that, no I really do. Thank you, thanks a lot for the help I've received so far and for the fact that people still are trying to help me and get this issue sorted out.

All that we have so far..
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Problem: Can't boot into a persistent Ubuntu Live USB.
Apps used/tried for the task: UNetbootin & Universal USB Installer
Devices used: 2GB & 8GB Transcend and Sandisk pendrives respectively.

Other resources & findings:

Alvas Rawuther, on 24 January 2011 - 08:47 AM, said:

.....

Here's a screenshot of the Ubuntu loading screen that I get when I run the ubuntu 10.10 from my 2GB pendrive -
http://imgur.com/pUy0b

And here are some screens which I get when I press ESC during the loading process since it doesn't load even after 10-20 minutes-
http://imgur.com/9u0Uo

Anyone who can help me out with this problem? Thanks..

Alvas Rawuther, on 04 February 2011 - 03:00 AM, said:

......
Also, I only seem to be having problems when I try to boot from the usb drive with persistence. Since without persistence, it boots just right.
I replaced the code in syslinux.cfg with this code below to try to boot from the same usb drive without persistence and see if it works, and it did...

prompt 1
timeout 50
default 1
say -
say Enter the number of the desired option
say ————————————–
say -
label 1
say 1 Try Ubuntu without installing
kernel /casper/vmlinuz
append noprompt cdrom-detect/try-usb=true persistent file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper initrd=/casper/initrd.lz quiet splash –
label 2
say 2 Try Ubuntu without installing and fresh
kernel /casper/vmlinuz
append noprompt cdrom-detect/try-usb=true file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper initrd=/casper/initrd.lz quiet splash –
label 3
say 3 Install Ubuntu
kernel /casper/vmlinuz
append noprompt cdrom-detect/try-usb=true persistent file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper only-ubiquity initrd=/casper/initrd.lz quiet splash –
label 4
say 4 Check disc for defects
kernel /casper/vmlinuz
append noprompt boot=casper integrity-check initrd=/casper/initrd.lz quiet splash –
label 5
say 5 Test memory
kernel /install/mt86plus
label 6
say 6 Boot from first hard disk
localboot 0×80

Thanks for all the help provided by you guys at bleepingcomputer and it would be really great if this problem got solved.

Alvas Rawuther, on 06 February 2011 - 03:29 AM, said:

AlamedaPhil, on 04 February 2011 - 05:47 PM, said:

I would try something like:
copy {usbdriveletter}:\casper\vmlinuz {usbdriveletter}:\casper\vmlinuz.new
move {usbdriveletter}:\casper\vmlinuz {usbdriveletter}:\casper\vmlinuz.old
move usbdriveletter}:\casper\vmlinuz.new {usbdriveletter}:\casper\vmlinuz

Better yet if you can copy the vmlinuz from the Live CD that would be better.

I also installed on a 2GB module and it works.

Doesn't work, still getting the same error. :wacko:

Alvas Rawuther, on 16 April 2011 - 01:25 AM, said:

...With persistency it doesn't boot at all when I select "Run from USB Drive" in the boot menu. But when I select "Install" and then quit, I get into the Ubuntu 10.10 environment but again with no persistency.

File(s): syslinux.cfg

 //Syslinux.cfg Full Text preview(for those of you who don't wish to download)//

# D-I config version 2.0
include menu.cfg
default vesamenu.c32
prompt 0
timeout 50

# If you would like to use the new menu and be presented with the option to install or run from USB at startup, remove # from the following line. This line was commented out (by request of many) to allow the old menu to be presented and to enable booting straight into the Live Environment! 
# ui gfxboot bootlogo

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It's been a long while since I last tried, and with Ubuntu 12.04 LTS out, I'll try again and let you guys know.

This post has been edited by Alvas Rawuther: Yesterday, 10:05 AM

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