Problems with making a persistent Ubuntu live USB drive

I still aren't done with it.

Looks like this is one of those things which nobody seems to have found a solution for yet.

You can purchase a drive with a persistent install of Ubuntu....4 GB USB ...........$21.95 USD
Welcome to Linux Cd.org - Ubuntu

You can purchase a drive with a persistent install of Ubuntu....4 GB USB ...........$21.95 USD
Welcome to Linux Cd.org - Ubuntu

How can I be assured that it'll work? It's essentially really the same thing. I CAN make a persistent Ubuntu USB drive, the problem is it doesn't boot in my PC. Besides I am a school student, I don't have too much money to spend. Also, the website you pointed me to is full of ads and nothing else really.

The syslinux file I posted received a lot of downloads, so it most obviously means that people are trying to help. And I appreciate that, no I really do. Thank you, thanks a lot for the help I've received so far and for the fact that people still are trying to help me and get this issue sorted out.


All that we have so far..
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Problem: Can't boot into a persistent Ubuntu Live USB.
Apps used/tried for the task: UNetbootin & Universal USB Installer
Devices used: 2GB & 8GB Transcend and Sandisk pendrives respectively.

Other resources & findings:

.....

Here's a screenshot of the Ubuntu loading screen that I get when I run the ubuntu 10.10 from my 2GB pendrive -
http://imgur.com/pUy0b

And here are some screens which I get when I press ESC during the loading process since it doesn't load even after 10-20 minutes-
http://imgur.com/9u0Uo

Anyone who can help me out with this problem? Thanks..

......
Also, I only seem to be having problems when I try to boot from the usb drive with persistence. Since without persistence, it boots just right.
I replaced the code in syslinux.cfg with this code below to try to boot from the same usb drive without persistence and see if it works, and it did...

prompt 1
timeout 50
default 1
say -
say Enter the number of the desired option
say ————————————–
say -
label 1
say 1 Try Ubuntu without installing
kernel /casper/vmlinuz
append noprompt cdrom-detect/try-usb=true persistent file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper initrd=/casper/initrd.lz quiet splash –
label 2
say 2 Try Ubuntu without installing and fresh
kernel /casper/vmlinuz
append noprompt cdrom-detect/try-usb=true file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper initrd=/casper/initrd.lz quiet splash –
label 3
say 3 Install Ubuntu
kernel /casper/vmlinuz
append noprompt cdrom-detect/try-usb=true persistent file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper only-ubiquity initrd=/casper/initrd.lz quiet splash –
label 4
say 4 Check disc for defects
kernel /casper/vmlinuz
append noprompt boot=casper integrity-check initrd=/casper/initrd.lz quiet splash –
label 5
say 5 Test memory
kernel /install/mt86plus
label 6
say 6 Boot from first hard disk
localboot 0×80

Thanks for all the help provided by you guys at bleepingcomputer and it would be really great if this problem got solved.

I would try something like:
copy {usbdriveletter}:\casper\vmlinuz {usbdriveletter}:\casper\vmlinuz.new
move {usbdriveletter}:\casper\vmlinuz {usbdriveletter}:\casper\vmlinuz.old
move usbdriveletter}:\casper\vmlinuz.new {usbdriveletter}:\casper\vmlinuz

Better yet if you can copy the vmlinuz from the Live CD that would be better.

I also installed on a 2GB module and it works.

Doesn't work, still getting the same error.

...With persistency it doesn't boot at all when I select "Run from USB Drive" in the boot menu. But when I select "Install" and then quit, I get into the Ubuntu 10.10 environment but again with no persistency.

File(s): syslinux.cfg

//Syslinux.cfg Full Text preview(for those of you who don't wish to download)//

# D-I config version 2.0
include menu.cfg
default vesamenu.c32
prompt 0
timeout 50

# If you would like to use the new menu and be presented with the option to install or run from USB at startup, remove # from the following line. This line was commented out (by request of many) to allow the old menu to be presented and to enable booting straight into the Live Environment! 
# ui gfxboot bootlogo

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It's been a long while since I last tried, and with Ubuntu 12.04 LTS out, I'll try again and let you guys know.

Edited by Alvas Rawuther, 27 May 2012 - 10:05 AM.

There is a guide from Ubuntu Forums regarding installation to a USB drive. This doesn't involve Unetbootin or Universal Pendrive. It's here. By the way, an excellent tool for creating bootable USB drives is Rufus. Although it doesn't have the option for persistence it is much quicker than it's counterparts.

There is a guide from Ubuntu Forums regarding installation to a USB drive. This doesn't involve Unetbootin or Universal Pendrive. It's here. By the way, an excellent tool for creating bootable USB drives is Rufus. Although it doesn't have the option for persistence it is much quicker than it's counterparts.

Oh, that seems of much help, I'll try those two methods soon and keep you posted on it. BTW, does the first method allow persistence? I don't see anything about persistent on that forum page.

Yipee!!!!!!!
The problem is solved.

I just tried again with UNetbootin, and this time it worked. Ubuntu booted in and with persitence - I recently formatted my PC and installed all three of the OSes that I use again(Windows 7, xp & ubuntu), so maybe there was something in there that wasn't working properly and when I formatted maybe it got fixed(MBR? Or does it not matter?).

Once I got into the ubuntu boot screen, it stood there for 30-40 seconds and I thought it wouldn't boot but just then it did. When I pressed ESC to see why it was taking so long on the boot screen, there were lines of code which said something like stdin error and also something like cd/dvd device not unmounting because it's in use.
It looped with those lines of code a few(around 10-12) times and then went on to regular business. But then why would it try to unmount the cd/dvd device? And why a standard input error?

I'll post screens soon, so don't lock this topic, please. The problem on a whole is actually done with it, it's fixed, it's solved. The only issue now is really the delay, or is it normal?

Thanks a lot, everyone!

I just got mine working after a few days looking into it. I used YUMI multi-boot. I got ubuntu 12.04 running persistent as long as i dont change too many system settings. install apps works fine as does files and folders changes. i used yumi to install ubuntu 12.04 and ultimate boot cd on my 8gb drive. i made a 4gb casper file with the program yumi makes to automate the casper file process. if you do this before you install the second boot os then the persistence is automatic, call me superstitious. otherwise you have to edit the .cfg for ubuntu to say persistent in the right places. then, once all is created, if anything goes wrong you just delete the casper file from say windows and remake a new casper file with the program from pendrivelinux, you will still have a working ubuntu and persistent though reset. so long as you don't screw it up you have persistence, so just back up to another flash drive the installs you use. it's a different way of life..

now, my question is does anyone know how to get the user profiles to work properly, i created a persistent user profile as admin and it is persistent and all but i cannot soft reset the machine i have to use the physical power button, ubuntu wont let me restart or shutdown, it just goes to the login screen for my user profile i created

now, my question is does anyone know how to get the user profiles to work properly, i created a persistent user profile as admin and it is persistent and all but i cannot soft reset the machine i have to use the physical power button, ubuntu wont let me restart or shutdown, it just goes to the login screen for my user profile i created

What do you mean? It's right there, look -


Try posting a screenshot, it may help me better understand what you're trying to say.

Phew!

Finally, the problem was solved, or better said, it was clarified - actually, it seems to take the same amount of time for everyone with a USB 2.0 port and/or a USB 2.0 thumb drive. So it's basically not a problem but a limitation in the speed of transfer for the USB 2.0 interface and hence it's normal.

This would not have been possible without help from the guys at the HTG forums and of course you guys at BC. Thanks a lot!

at HTG Forums.

Edited by Alvas Rawuther, 14 August 2012 - 12:09 PM.

You might try 'Startup Disk Creator' instead of 'unetbootin':

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/help/create-a-usb-stick-on-ubuntu

UNetBootIn doesn't work right on my Arch Linux laptop, but just fine on my Arch desktop. Go figure!

You might try 'Startup Disk Creator' instead of 'unetbootin':

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/help/create-a-usb-stick-on-ubuntu

UNetBootIn doesn't work right on my Arch Linux laptop, but just fine on my Arch desktop. Go figure!

I'll try that(or have I already tried? I don't remember ) and see if it works any better. But maybe it's just the speed of USB 1.0 interface I have that's the the limiting factor.

Thanks.

Edited by Alvas Rawuther, 24 January 2013 - 11:10 AM.

I don't know if anyone is paying any mind to this topic anymore, but here is my two cents anyways. Rather than make a live version why not install the OS permanently to the flash drive? I tried a persistent version and had all sorts of problems. Making it permanent, and it worked like a charm, even on different computers.