[gentoo-user] Flash Drive Install

[gentoo-user] Flash Drive Install

[sean]

Once you go through the steps instructed here,
http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/liveusb.xml

Can the live CD install be altered to work just like a normal Gentoo system?
I have managed to get my hands on a 16GB flash drive, and am thinking of
trying it out.

		Thanks
		Sean

[gentoo-user] Re: Flash Drive Install

[James]

sean <tech.junk <at> myfairpoint.net> writes:


> Once you go through the steps instructed here,
> http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/liveusb.xml

cool

> Can the live CD install be altered to work just like a normal Gentoo system?
> I have managed to get my hands on a 16GB flash drive, and am thinking of
> trying it out.


Dunno, but give it a shot.

I use 4GB CF cards with CF to ide converters, and it works like a charm.
They've been up for 6 months, with no issues.

Caveats:
use ext2

/dev/hda1               /boot           ext2            noatime 1 2
/dev/hda2               none            swap            sw              0 0
/dev/hda3               /               ext2            noatime         0 1

do not log, or use things that generate lots of writes. If you must,
NFS mount a remote HD for all of  that. After every emerge remove
all that is not necessary from the system (examples):
/use/portage/distfile and /var/tmp/portage. and /tmp.

Keep the system/packages minimal.

make.conf:
CFLAGS="-Os -march=i586 -pipe -fomit-frame-pointer"

USE="-* -nls hardened  ncurses ssl crypt berkdb tcpd pam perl pcre \

Notice the  -Os and the -*, as they are the key.

Keep room in /boot/ for several kernels, because kernel size
minimization really helps performance.


*LESS is better*

If you are looking at a install for a workstation, google
"gentoo catalyst" for ideas.

If you come up with more/better tips, post back to the thread.

goodluck,


James

Re: [gentoo-user] Re: Flash Drive Install

[sean]

James wrote:

> 
> If you come up with more/better tips, post back to the thread.
> 
> goodluck,
> 
> 
> James
> 
> 

I did come across this site, http://www.pendrivelinux.com/ and tried out
the Gentoo install using Windows.
Amazingly easy.

On bootup it is asking for a login and password, I do not know what the
default is for the live CD, so I just left login and password as blank.
Logs in without problem.

Did "CTL/ALT/F1 to get to a prompt and set a root password, and then
back into the GUI using CTL/ALT/F7 to get back in and all seems OK.

Took a quick look at the make.conf and it shows the standard message
that I am working using the Live CD and not to make changes there.

Not much else yet tried.

		Have Fun,
		Sean

Re: [gentoo-user] Re: Flash Drive Install

[Iain Buchanan]

On Fri, 2009-02-06 at 17:01 +0000, James wrote:
> sean <tech.junk <at> myfairpoint.net> writes:
> 
> 
> > Once you go through the steps instructed here,
> > http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/liveusb.xml
> 
> cool

Also see my blog
http://nthrbldyblg.blogspot.com/2008/06/gentoo-linux-live-usb-key.html
which has an easy way of creating a gentoo live usb key (if that's what
you wanted).  It works really well with modern hardware.

> > Can the live CD install be altered to work just like a normal Gentoo system?
> > I have managed to get my hands on a 16GB flash drive, and am thinking of
> > trying it out.

Just be mindful of James' comment about lots of writes!

-- 
Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>

There is no sadder sight than a young pessimist.

Re: [gentoo-user] Re: Flash Drive Install

[sean]

Iain Buchanan wrote:

> 
> Just be mindful of James' comment about lots of writes!
> 

It is more of a curiosity project.