The guys at PLUS LIST have put together a wiki (see below) on building a server using USB as primary boot devices. I have successfully built 2 servers using their method. Their method is most likely overkill for your needs but you could use it as a base for the manual install. http://tagcose.com/wiki/InstallDebian I have also built a couple boxes using USB drives running Ubuntu 10.04 pre UEFI boot. As I recall it was as easy as going through the std install but choosing to manually setup the disk partitions. Since the box is going to be used for non - mission critical stuff you might just try the automated install using Ubuntu 12.04. If everything is working on the USB just make a backup of the new system to a second USB using dd if/when due to swap your Initial USB get hosed. On Apr 24, 2014 8:36 PM, "AZ Pete" wrote: > I would probably prefer a USB. I have lots of them laying around in > sizes ranging from 1Gb to 16Gb. > Any sites that explain how to install Linux to a USB drive such that the system > would view it as a hard drive? > Thanks! > Peter > > On 4/24/2014 4:58 PM, Stephen Partington wrote: > > There are a few ways to do this, from installing to the USB as if it > were a hard drive. or setting up a livecd with persistence (this would pair > well with a load to ram option for the livcd) > > just depends on how big a Thumb drive you have, and how much persistence > you want. > > > On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 4:36 PM, AZ Pete wrote: > >> Hi All, >> >> I have a spare desktop computer and monitor sitting in the garage that I >> want to set up for my 10 year old son, but it doesn't have a hard drive. >> I'd rather not have to buy another hard drive (even though they are pretty >> cheap). >> >> I've read somewhere that Linux can be run from a USB flash drive. Since >> all this PC would be used for is general web surfing and web-based flash >> games, I thought that this would be a viable solution. It's about a 3 year >> old machine so the CPU and RAM are quite adequate. >> >> Can anyone point me to some resources on how to set this up? >> >> This PC doesn't have USB 3.0, will USB 2.0 be fast enough? >> >> >> Any thoughts are appreciated. >> >> Thanks, >> >> Peter >> >> >> >> --------------------------------------------------- >> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> > > > > -- > A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from > rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button. > > Stephen > > > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings:http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >