Ubuntu 9.04 runs faster on my USB flash drive

[SickBeast]

Hi everyone,

I've used unetbootin to rip the Ubuntu CD onto my USB drive, and it boots up in literally 30 seconds on my laptop that way onto the live desktop.

My laptop hard drive is very slow; it's only 4200rpm and it's quite small (40gb).

I'm wondering if I can install Ubuntu onto the key drive instead of simply using the key drive to install to the SATA hard disk.

I'm not worried about longevity seeing as I paid $15 for my 4gb OCZ Rally 2. It seems to be able to read files fairly consistently at 30mb/second which is faster than my regular hard drive with way quicker access times.

 

[SickBeast]

Hmmm I found a guide here

I'll let yous know how it goes.

 

[Sylvanas]

Let us know, sounds good for people with lower spec laptops.

 

[SickBeast]

Ok I just tested it out.

First of all, that guide is no good. It doesn't give you the option to install EXT4 as the filesystem and it seems to take a long time to boot up (plus there are some other issues).

On my regular hard drive, Ubuntu 9.04 boots up in 47 seconds or so.

On my USB Rally 2 flash drive, it takes about 57 seconds. It's really not a major sacrifice when you consider than you can take all of your stuff with you wherever you go.

I used custom partitioning during a regular install to get it on the flash drive. It was easy for me but I'm quite experienced with Linux at this point. You need to make sure you click the "advanced" button at step 7 of the install to make sure you install the boot loader to the flash drive and not to the regular hard drive. When you're partitioning the drive, just delete whatever partition was on it (so long as you don't need the files) and then pick "new partition" and select EXT4 as the type. If it chirps at you for not having a swap partition ignore it so long as you have a gig of ram or more (even 512mb should work fine).

 

[KeypoX]

why do you need a guide? Doesnt Ubuntu do this with its "Create a USB boot drive" utility? It lets you set the partition size via a slider too.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: KeypoX
why do you need a guide? Doesnt Ubuntu do this with its "Create a USB boot drive" utility? It lets you set the partition size via a slider too.

I'm pretty sure that creates a Live CD onto the USB drive with some weird way of saving your files.

The way I did it makes it like any other installation which I prefer personally.

I might even use this instead of Puppy Linux on my key drive.

 

[Colt45]

Better install something like flashybrid, so you don't wear out the flash.

You should use ext2, journaled FSs will just wear the flash faster.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: SickBeast

Originally posted by: KeypoX
why do you need a guide? Doesnt Ubuntu do this with its "Create a USB boot drive" utility? It lets you set the partition size via a slider too.

I'm pretty sure that creates a Live CD onto the USB drive with some weird way of saving your files.

The way I did it makes it like any other installation which I prefer personally.

I might even use this instead of Puppy Linux on my key drive.

i used the usb creator utility and it worked fine, but i only keep the flash drive in my bag for emergencies, not regular use.

 

[SickBeast]

I just went back to Puppy Linux for my USB. It's better on several levels.

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
I just went back to Puppy Linux for my USB. It's better on several levels.

I think im gonna try puppy as well 🙂

how do iget this on a usb?

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
I just went back to Puppy Linux for my USB. It's better on several levels.

I like puppy as well just can't figure out how to install programs like on Ubuntu. It is so much easier for me on Ubuntu. Wish I knew how to do it on puppy linux or Ubuntu had a cd as well that let you run the whole OS off ram. Puppy Linux is awesome running off purely ram! Guess I will use both.

One thing that does suck about linux though is there is no shockwave. That sucks.