Ubuntu is a system of remote computer based on Linux operating. It is a free software and open source, using its own desktop environment. (A little similar to Windows). A Live USB is a USB key that has a bootable OS (Operating System) on this subject.
This instructable will help you create a!
The interface looks like a mix of Windows and Mac OS, with a touch of Linux
(Please keep in mind that this is my first instructable article. Suggestions are welcome!)
Step 1: preparation
What you'll need:
-A 4 GB USB stick (the OS itself is about 2.5 GB, which will leave you with plenty of space for your own files)
-A fast internet connection (to download the necessary files)
-A computer that can boot a USB
-Windows XP/Vista/7 (to run the installation program)
-A little good sense (to put it all together!)
Step 2: Backup
THIS STEP IS IMPORTANT!!!
Backup all the data on your USB safely onto your computer, as this will erase your USB! (Although it is possible to keep your data and have the OS installed, I do not recommend it!)
Step 3: Downloading
There are two files that you will need to download:
- The Ubuntu virtual image (.iso) file - Get it from here:
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download. Size: 712MB
- The USB Installer (.exe) file - Get it from here:
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/#button or get the older version from my attachments. Size: 981KB
Universal-USB-Installer-1.8.7.2.exeStep 4: Install
1. Open up the file named "Universal-USB-Installer-1.8.7.2" or whatever you named it.
2. Puch the "I agree" button.
3. Select the version of Ubuntu that you are installing (you do not need to check the "Download .iso" checkbox, as you have already downloaded the file).
4. Click the "Browse" button and find the ".img" file (NOTE: This step will be done automatically in some versions of the installer when the two files are in the same folder.)
5. Then find your USB Drive from the selection (I do not suggest checking the "SHOW ALL DRIVES" button)
6. IF YOUR USB IS BACKED UP: Check the "Format drive" checkbox - !!! THIS WILL ERASE ALL DATA ON YOUR USB !!!
7. Slide the slider completely to the right (this will give you usable space on the USB).
8. Punch the "Create" button
Step 5: Double-check
This will be said as a pop-up, but I will say it anyway: CHECK THAT THE DIRECTORY YOU HAVE SELECTED AS YOUR USB IS YOUR USB, otherwise you will have a different drive erased and dumped now useless files into.
Step 6: Process
Let the installer finish (NOTE: If you have a large USB, this will take quite long. The bar will not move for quite a while during the last operation.)
Step 7: Boot
Restart your computer. (Not yet. First finish reading...)
This is the tricky bit:
During start-up, you will see a black/blue boot screen flash. During that time-frame (usally 1-3 seconds), press the "alternate boot key". This will be the "esc" or one of the function keys, but you never know which one - each computer has a different one (In my home laptop it is the "esc" key and the school computers are F2, F8 or F10). The good part is that (in most cases) the computer will tell you which key it is! Search the screen and press the "pause" button if the screen flashes for too short.
Good luck.
Step 8: What next?
What next? You have a few choices.
- Customize (Ubuntu can easily be transformed into MacBuntu)
- Show off
- Use it when your computer gets slow (I sometimes use it when I want to play high CPU-demanding games that my Windows simply cannot run)
- Retrieve your locked up files (when you put a password onto your Windows account and forgot it, you can still get your files using this handy program, as you can use "file explorer" to view your hard disk like USB) PLEASE DO NOT USE FOR MALICIOUS PURPOSES
- use it as a portable OS (use it at home, use it at school, use it anywhere you want!)
A fair bit of WARNING: Some Ubuntu versions are unstable and will fail to boot after a few uses. Just repeat these steps to reinstall.
Hi, if you've followed the instructions step by step and then you had to able to create a bootable USB. When you boot from the USB, will give you the option to install Ubuntu on the PC, but if you want to just run from USB, then do not select this option and go to the direct mode instead. This will not use your USB and does not touch the hard disk
Additional guidance
Unfortunately, it's not as possible with current USB technology. You can not (easily)partition a USB key to create multiple sites for different OS. You must also several different boot sectors, and that could confuse the PC. Overall, you would do better with a bone by USB. That being said..
There is a way to do so. You can simply use the files in the USB port for the specific operating system and modify GRUB so you can choose your start position (never tried this though). Another option would be just to use a portable hard drive in place(or format your USB drive to NTFS). In theory, this should allow you to multiboot USB memory stick.
This is all, in theory, however, I have never tried this, simply had no need for it. But I'll give it a look.
