[jackdw]

I heard that theres a linux version that can boot off a memory stick.

I'm a complete linux noob so please dont baffle me with distros etc. I've use suse 10.1 so if thats possible to run off a memory stick, I'd prefer that. But if it doesn't come on USB version, I guess any other will do.

Thanks
Jack

[prunejuice]

Feather Linux Boot From USB

Feather Linux was the easiest for me to boot from USB.
Make sure your motherboard supports booting from USB.

[jackdw]

"Then run syslinux, which will install the bootloader needed for Feather Linux to be able to boot from the USB drive."

Is this a one-off thing?

What I need to do is:
I have a very old laptop which refuses to boot (yes, windows XP yet again), I want to load up linux, save some data to the memory stick then re-format.

I have access to a suse linux 10.1 live-cd but it's a DVD and this laptop only has a cd-rom.

[prunejuice]

Originally Posted by jackdw

I have a very old laptop ...this laptop only has a cd-rom.

I doubt you'll boot a USB memory stick, but you can probably boot some other distro and mount your Windows drives.

Connect the laptop to some other computer's ethernet port with a crossover cable to transfer files.

[jackdw]

Is there anything I can download to CD then? Some Live CD, that is a CDm not DVD. That's easy to install as use....

[prunejuice]

Without knowing the system specs of your laptop, I'd say give PCLinuxOS 0.93a Junior a try.
It has good, easy to understand functionality.

[itsjusme]

PcLinux is good, and there are quite a few live versions that will boot from usb. But like prunejuice said, if the laptop is that old, it probably doesnt support it. Ive tried quite a few of the live distros, and Puppy linux is my favorite. Its a small distro, around 70mb, depending on the version you choose. It has good hardware detection, alot of programs for a small package, and it will do what you want. Get the cd version, and when it boots, it loads to ram, so your cd drive will be free, and you can copy files from the hd to the usb. If you want to try it, have a look here for download and docs:
http://www.puppyos.com/
It needs 256mb of ram to work well. It will run on 128, but youll have to set up a swap partition on the usb drive. Instructions are on the website.

[jackdw]

Well it's a sony vaio PCG F250 I think. Really old.

366mhz. 128mb RAM. 2gb, maybe even 1 gb, I can't remember, (crammed) hard drive...

I'll have a look at your suggestions and let you know how I get on.

Thanks

[saikee]

I can swear that there must be more Linux Live CD than Linux Live DVD.

To install a Linux specially for a memory stick you normally need to acquired its iso image downloadable from Internet. With it you burn it into a CD. On booting it from a CD you then install it into a memory stick.

A Live CD is ready made for providing the same function. Any one will do the job. Better (or most of them) one will mount your Windows partitions "automatically". However in Linux any WIndows partition can be mounted "manually".

Any Linux will be able to read/write any Fat partition. For NTFS partitions standard Linux only read them but some distros provide experimental versions to write them as well. For data retrival reading from Windows partitions is all you need and so any Live CD, say free disks from purchasing a Linux magazine, can perform the task you want.

[jackdw]

Where can i get the ISO for linux?

[itsjusme]

Originally Posted by jackdw

Where can i get the ISO for linux?

It depends on which one you want. You can follow the link above, for Puppy Linux, or have a look at these places:
http://www.livecdlist.com/?pick=All&...top&sort=&sm=1
I linked you to a page here , that shows most of the live cd versions.
http://distrowatch.com/

Most distros are available for free download, or you can buy proofed cds very reasonable. Download the ISO file for the distro you want, and when you burn it to cd, select the option in your burning software, to burn iso image. If you have any trouble , let us know, we`ll guide you thru it.

[jackdw]

I wouldn't mind the suse linux 10.1 if that's available freely. A friend has a DVD of it which includes live CD (DVD) but I'd like a copy for myself.

Any ideas where to get that? Preferably including a live CD. Maybe separate so they can go on CD. I'm rather short on blank DVD's.

Cheers

[itsjusme]

Theres a whole gaggle of places you can get Suse, heres a couple:

http://www.novell.com/products/suselinux/
http://en.opensuse.org/Download
you can just google Suse 10.1, and there will be lots of places to choose from. You can also just copy your friends, it`s perfectly legal for the open Suse project to be redistributed. Unless you have a super fast connection, the dvd version is a long download. If you choose to download and burn them, or copy your friends instead of buying them, i suggest burning them at your slowest speed. It`ll cut down on the coaster collection considerably.

[saikee]

Distrowatch.com

There are hundreds of them available via links. If there is a distro of any substance you will find it there.