Add ArchLinux install option on USB flash drive

gigenieks · 2013-06-10 09:57:55

Hello!

I've been using Linux (Ubuntu, Xubuntu) time after time mainly in dual-boot configuration. Recently I did install Ubuntu 13.04 from my USB flash drive. After reading this article and seeing bunch of youtube videos about Arch, I decided to give it a try. By doing this I should learn a lot about Linux AND will create my own Linux, just bare minimum I need, nothing more..

While I'm typing this post, Gparted is creating partition for ArchLinux (20GB). I'm gonna install Arch by using 16GB USB stick, which already contains Ubuntu installation. What I want is to keep Ubuntu on it and add Arch, so when I boot I can install either Ubuntu or Arch and, if needed, log in Ubuntu live environment (if something goes wrong, I need a place to read wiki pages ).

Can someone, please, answer how can achieve this?

Note: I created Ubuntu installation by using UNetbootin software, I think.

Last edited by gigenieks (2013-06-10 10:05:46)

Roberth · 2013-06-10 10:01:05

If you have an android phone, there is an own app for easily read the arch wiki, it's called ArchWiki Viewer.

drcouzelis · 2013-06-10 10:46:59

gigenieks wrote:

I'm gonna install Arch by using 16GB USB stick, which already contains Ubuntu installation. What I want is to keep Ubuntu on it and add Arch, so when I boot I can install either Ubuntu or Arch

I haven't done this before, but I think all you need to do is follow the Beginner's Guide. When you come to the section on where to install Arch Linux, just choose to use the partition on your USB stick instead of on your internal drive.

When you are ready to install Arch Linux, please follow the Beginner's Guide. That post on LifeHacker is a year old. Arch Linux has changed a LOT since then.

if needed, log in Ubuntu live environment (if something goes wrong, I need a place to read wiki pages).

For your information, you will need to be able to read the Arch Linux wiki while installing Arch Linux.

Good luck!

Mr.Elendig · 2013-06-10 11:10:28

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/In … _USB_drive

drcouzelis · 2013-06-10 13:12:14

Mr.Elendig wrote:

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/In … _USB_drive

Hmmm... Looks like it's not as easy as I thought it would be.

gigenieks · 2013-06-10 14:01:27

drcouzelis wrote:

I haven't done this before, but I think all you need to do is follow the Beginner's Guide. When you come to the section on where to install Arch Linux, just choose to use the partition on your USB stick instead of on your internal drive.

I think you misunderstand me. I don't want to install Arch on my USB drive, I want to make multiple "Live CD" USB stick. From which then I can choose various distros to install or launch in live mode.

If anyone interested helping I created thread in ubuntu forums.
If I want I can start installing Arch, right now, BUT I can't because if I mess up something (for example, GRUB2) then I probably won't be able to launch my Ubuntu (I'm going to have Ubuntu and Arch on same hard drive). Wheras if I can launch Ubuntu from my USB key I can easily start Ubuntu live and do/search whatever I need.

Trilby · 2013-06-10 14:06:30

I'm a bit confused on what you actually want to do now. You have a full ubuntu install (i.e. persistent install) on the usb, or is it a ubuntu installation iso?

In any case, I know syslinux can boot to iso's, I suspect grub can also. You could have your current bootloader choose between your existing system, or the new iso that you'd save as a file to the drive rather than extracting it.

gigenieks · 2013-06-10 14:25:00

Trilby wrote:

I'm a bit confused on what you actually want to do now. You have a full ubuntu install (i.e. persistent install) on the usb, or is it a ubuntu installation iso?

Sorry, English is not my native language.

Let me rephrase: I have installed Ubuntu 13.04 (from which I'm posting now). I'm going to install Arch. By using Gparted I created 20GB partition for Arch. I'm going to install Arch on the same HDD on which Ubuntu and it's bootloader resides.
If in the installation process of Arch I mess something up and my system becomes unbootable. I need to have an ability to start Ubuntu's live environment from my 16GB USB.

Am I clear now?

Last edited by gigenieks (2013-06-10 14:34:44)

Trilby · 2013-06-10 14:36:50

Ah, yes, that makes more sense, thanks. I take it you don't have other usb drives that could be used then? I've never done it, but it sounds like the "install from an existing linux" may be the way to go.

EDIT: oops - I hope this is a potential option, but I just realized I may be confusing this thread with another one I'm involved in that is discussing preparing an arch usb.

Last edited by Trilby (2013-06-10 14:38:06)

teateawhy · 2013-06-10 20:59:16

I recommend you to keep your usb stick as is, to have ubuntu as a back up. Then boot the arch installation iso with grub from your download directory. This entry in /boot/grub/grub.cfg is necessary:

menuentry "archlinux 06-01" --class iso {
set isofile="/home/gigenieks/downloads/archlinux-2013.06.01-dual.iso"
loopback loop (hd0,2)$isofile
linux (loop)/arch/boot/x86_64/vmlinuz archisolabel=ARCH_201306 img_dev=/dev/sdxY img_loop=$isofile earlymodules=loop
initrd (loop)/arch/boot/x86_64/archiso.img
}

Last edited by teateawhy (2013-06-10 21:00:45)

ANOKNUSA · 2013-06-11 00:42:55

Roberth wrote:

If you have an android phone, there is an own app for easily read the arch wiki, it's called ArchWiki Viewer.

Just as awesome (and more to the OP's point), there's a bitchin' app called DriveDroid that can download multiple LiveCD images and boot from one on-the-fly.

You could also install GRUB to the USB stick and have an Ubuntu entry in it. Or still further, just install Arch and then add an entry for it through Ubuntu. Since the Arch installation process is an entirely manual one, there's no risk of overwriting your existing bootloader unless you do so deliberately.

gigenieks · 2013-06-12 07:57:14

teateawhy, your suggestion is good, I only recently find out about GRUB's 2 capability to boot ISO's
Anyway I tried software which was supposed to create multi "Live CD" USB for me. Its name MultiSystem It did good work with Arch, but not with Ubuntu. I had to manually edit GRUB2 menuentry for Ubuntu. Here is how I did it.

Thanks, ANOKNUSA, but I can't use that app you suggested because my phone has Windows Mobile 6.1 OS installed..

In short, I have USB flash drive which now can start Arch or Ubuntu, whichever I choose. I accomplished what I wanted.
I've been studying Beginners Guide and watching some youtube videos, gonna create separate thread with questions before I proceed installing Arch on my own. My new thread here...

Have a nice day!

Last edited by gigenieks (2013-06-12 08:30:54)

Arch Linux

#1 2013-06-10 09:57:55

Add ArchLinux install option on USB flash drive

#2 2013-06-10 10:01:05

Re: Add ArchLinux install option on USB flash drive

#3 2013-06-10 10:46:59

Re: Add ArchLinux install option on USB flash drive

#4 2013-06-10 11:10:28

Re: Add ArchLinux install option on USB flash drive

#5 2013-06-10 13:12:14

Re: Add ArchLinux install option on USB flash drive

#6 2013-06-10 14:01:27

Re: Add ArchLinux install option on USB flash drive

#7 2013-06-10 14:06:30

Re: Add ArchLinux install option on USB flash drive

#8 2013-06-10 14:25:00

Re: Add ArchLinux install option on USB flash drive

#9 2013-06-10 14:36:50

Re: Add ArchLinux install option on USB flash drive

#10 2013-06-10 20:59:16

Re: Add ArchLinux install option on USB flash drive

#11 2013-06-11 00:42:55

Re: Add ArchLinux install option on USB flash drive

#12 2013-06-12 07:57:14

Re: Add ArchLinux install option on USB flash drive

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