An alternative, simple way to install dualboot

An alternative way to install a dual boot computer using USB Drive in persistent mode


When having an older computer with Windows xp, Vista or 7 in many cases Windows is still kept there
to run Windows software. It is not removed totally from the hard drive when installing some Linux operating
system to the computer to get something new to replace the old Windows.

There are some disadvantages to install the Linux os. to HDD alongside with the Windows. Not only due to that
it requires tens of Gb's space from HDD, which may already be too small to save all software and data to run properly.

Sometimes it works well to run both Windows and a Linux os. in the same HDD, bat in many cases there are
some difficulties to keep them running alongside longer times. Problems appear often after making updates
to those operating systems. Often Windows do not start any more from boot loader and requires some start up
reparation. If corrections are not made carefully, knowing what to do, you may loose either one or both operating
systems from your computer. It might be hard to repair or get new installations done, without extra work,
knowledge and money.

To avoid all this, there are an alternative way to install a working environment to Linux, without making
any changes to the internal HDD. This can be done by using a USB drive and installing an os to it using persistent
mode so, that it can store data, to be available in the Linux operating system also after shut down. It depends on
which Linux os. you want to use, whether persistent mode is possible to install. All Ubuntu based operating
systems should have that possibility. There is a complete list of those operating systems on the following web
page which distros are supported to be installed in persistent mode.

When selecting which os. is best to be used in a USB Drive, Zorin 8 Ultimate is one of the best ones, being
a mega distro of included software. There are limited need to make additional software installations. This means
that there are minimal risk to hurt one or an other os. when running or updating the systems.

To make a persistent mode installation of Zorin 8 Ultimate to a USB Flash Drive, you need a 32 bit .ISO file and
a fat32 formatted USB memory. Then you have to have an installation program which can make a persistent
bootable USB Drive. The minimum size of USB memory is 8 GB to get space for persistent data. The persistent
data storage can be up to 4 Gb.

To make the installation, you need a program like Universal USB Installer. Universal USB Installer UUI is
a Live Linux USB Creator that allows you to choose from a selection of Linux Distributions to put on
USB Flash Drive. The Universal USB Installer is easy to use. Simply select the ISO file, your Flash Drive,
set memory size used to percistence and Click to Install. After completion of installation you have a ready
to run bootable USB Flash Drive. Other features included are percistence – casper persistence will work with
fat16 or fat32 formatted drives.

Here is a link to download the UUI software. On that page there are also some screenshots of how to use that
installer software. It is a foolproof application to do everything what is needed, only two thing should be carefully
checked: First that you select the right source .iso file. Secondly that the destination USB device is the
correct one, indicated only by using a letter.

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal- ... -as-1-2-3/

From the following page you get detailed information related to how a persistent USB operating system works.
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/what-is-persistent-linux/

After installation you have only an operating system without Home directory. If using 8 Gb drive there are no space
for additional Home dictionary, You have to have some other memory space to make that directory for your saved
data, like documents, downloads, pictures, music and videos. This can be done by having a separate memory
device like a USB Flash Drive up to 32 Gb, or a external HHD or SSD connected to USB port, having even more
memory, or making the os. installation to a bigger than 8 Gb USB memory. Before installation a second fat32
partition should be done to the USB Drive to store the Home directory folders.

There are even more advantages to use a persistent 32 bit USB installation, It saves the existing HDD space to be
used with Windows. The os. takes only ca. 4 Gb from USB when it is not extracted to HDD. You have now a
transferable os. available where ever you go. When using an external USB memory for Home directory it can also
travel with you. If the operating system for some reason crashes, you have always safe and easy access to your
home directory with another os.

The Linux operating system is now also easy to change or remove, if you do not like it. Sometimes there are
questions whether this kind of system runs very slowly. According to my experience there are no remarkable
difference in executing speed whether the os is installed to internal HDD or to USB Drive. This might differ from
computer to an other depending on the speed of the HDD and USB drive and how much RAM memory you have.

If you have a newer computer you may have a USB 3.0 port available so you can get same level of R/W data
transfer speed from USB as you have with your internal HDD. In that case the speed depends only from
something else than USB. It is recommended to use a USB 2.0/3.0 memory even if you have only a
USB 2.0 port in your computer.

I used a Kingston Data Travel 8Gb which is a USB 2.0/3,0 Drive using a 2.0 USB port. It works well
with Zorin 8 Ultimate in my desktop. I have only Windows 7 on the internal HDD. I use a 500Gb Buffalo
external HDD connected to a USB 2.0 port to be used for data storing with both os. Only "must have"
requirement for your hardware to try this is that there is a USB connection and you can boot it from USB.

Zorin 8/8.1 Core and Ultimate 32 Bit, Ubunbtu 13.10 32 Bit, Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit, Asus AMD Athlon 64 Bit X2 Dual core 4000+, HP 530 Intel Celeron M 32 Bit

Here some additions how to use the persistent USB with HOME directory.

If Zorin 8.1 Core distro is used first to try the system bat there is a meaning to upgrade later to Ultimate
distro, the first partition should be big enough to make that upgrade later. That means a new installation
of a bigger os to that partition. Recommended size for first partition is in that case at least 6 Gb.

A proper Shut Down should be done before permanently removing the USB from the computer so that
all changes are stored to the USB to avoid lost of data or crashing the os. A persistent os. on the USB is
slightly more sensitive to misuse than a nonpersistent os. or an os. installed to HDD.

Suspend can be used if it works in that computer with Zorin. Suspend can be used to avoid relatively
long start times from USB. After suspending, the USB drive can be removed bat have to be reblugged to
the same USB port before activating the computer back to use. Keep the mains connected during suspend
time or check that the battery do not run out during suspended time. If using a laptop only with battery,
shut down the computer before the battery runs out to avoid lost of data or system crashes.

If the os. in the USB crashes so that it has to be reinstalled, recommended is to backup the data from
USB HOMElive directory using some other os. before installation to avoid lost of data during installation if
something goes wrong.

When selecting an USB Flash Drive to be used for installation of the persistent operating system it is recommended
to use a high speed device that has a metal casing and/or its size is small enough to prevent both electrical and
mechanical damages. It should be connected to the nearest USB port to the motherboard not using any USB hub
connection. When connecting or removing the USB from the computer touch first with your free hand to the computer's
metal casing to discharge you from any electrical charge not to damage the USB with an electrical cischarge.

If A persistent USB drive operating system is used together with Wine so, that some Windows software are
installed using PlayOnLinux or Winetriks, then the the executable part of the software are not in the USB.
It is by default in the HDD of the computer that you used to install that software. This means that you can not
run those applications without having that computer which you used during installation.

The problem with USB installs is that they can get lost or damaged if knocked in a front USB port. Provided there is a big enough hard drive (and if not then get a new one - and use clonezilla to copy your old windows to the new hard drive). Then follow my dual-boot instructions - you should have no problems at all and a lot less of a headache than a USB installation!

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6075

Following comment was somehow out of the scope of this tutorial. This guide was made for cases where someone has decided to try Zorin os using a dual boot system, but for some reason don't want or there are some difficulty to install it to HDD.

"Then follow my dual-boot instructions - you should have no problems at all and a lot less of a headache than a USB installation!"

Even if there are some motivation text when USB Drive could be an alternative method to make a dual boot system, it is not intended to be used as the final replacement to the installation to HDD. Regarding the headaches here, my experience is that the causes are mainly somewhere else than using a USB installation. I would preferably say that whether the operating system itself works ok. there are no headache with using a USB installation either. Both dual boot methods have its known advantages and disadvantages. Every single case may have its own solutions to fulfill the needs to run more than one os. in a single computer. One solution won't fit for all.