Running Linux from a cd or usb?

[Andrew_Culture]

The hard drive on our home computer appears to have failed and there's no chance we can currently afford a new drive. But seeing as my wife only tends to use the browser I was wondering if I could boot the machine using Linux from a CD / DVD or a usb stick?

If so where the hell do I start? I have a work laptop with a cd writer on it, if that's any help!

 

[dan_bo]

I run linux on a notebook that got some wierd virus thingy. My pal just loaded ubuntu onto a stick and I run it straight from that. Slice of wee.

 

[buddha]

Running off a CD will be a pain - because of slow access times. Best to use a stick.
Have a look >>here<< for instructions.

 

[fossala]

This program will help someone with not a lot of computer knowlage.
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
All you will need to do is select the USB stick you want it to be imaged onto and the distro that you wish to use.

If you want to use a cd just download an iso from a distros website and burn the image.

If you need a hand, any of the linux forums will help or come back and ask me. Been using linux for most of my adult life and always happy to help.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Thanks all! You wouldn't believe I spent fifteen years as an IT consultant would you... or maybe you would

 

[rusky]

What HDD do you need, I may have a spare

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I think it's SATA, I'll have a look in BIOS tonight. I can't always get into the BIOS, which does give me a few motherboard concerns

 

[defy-one]

You will have IDE connectors on the system board - buy a 80gb hdd and ide cable for very little cost these days


Sent by iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rusky]

You will have IDE connectors on the system board - buy a 80gb hdd and ide cable for very little cost these days


Sent by iPhone using Tapatalk

How do you know that???

 

[nilling]

I've used Puppy Linux running off a stick to retrieve files off a corrupted Windows PC

 

[ushills]

+1 for puppy linux, stick works best as you can store files and settings etc.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Duly noted

 

[BADGER.BRAD]

I ran Puppy Linux from CD for a good while. I had the same problem as yourself. As I tend to leave the PC turned on once all my setting/bookmarks were in I had no problems (General Net surfing Email)

 

[Jimmy Doug]

I used to run Linux from an external hard drive. It worked really well -and although the performance was obviously not as good as a proper install, it was far better than a live cd.

 

[lozcs]

This program will help someone with not a lot of computer knowlage.
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
All you will need to do is select the USB stick you want it to be imaged onto and the distro that you wish to use.

If you want to use a cd just download an iso from a distros website and burn the image.

If you need a hand, any of the linux forums will help or come back and ask me. Been using linux for most of my adult life and always happy to help.

+1

unetbootin is brill...