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Idea #990: Bootable USB flash net installer

bug This idea is marked as needing a more complete blueprint. (What is a blueprint?)
Written by willpost the 29 Feb 08 at 05:50. Category: Installation. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: Needs clarification
Rationale
Currently, Net and USB install can be a difficult process for the new user, who has to research many sites for instructions.

It would be great if a user could:
- Download a small file from any public computer
- Run it to create a bootable USB flash net-installer
- Boot from the USB flash on most PCs

The USB flash boots to curses (text) based menu that can:
- Net install Ubuntu to HD, from repository or torrent
- Update GRUB if their HD boot partition was resized
- Restore a Windows XP
- Perform other repairs
- Create a ramdrive with bash shell, text editor, and apt-get individual packages. (i.e. borrow a PC, plug in USB w/ Ubuntu portable image, and apt-get an ad-hoc server or development machine to RAM, with the home directory on the USB flash)

Older machines would have a simple floppy/CD to mount and boot the USB flash image, but only the USB image would need to be replaced with newer versions.
Tags: install USB


Developer comments
This is related to idea 417 (implemented) and the LiveUSB idea. I agree we should provide an easy way to make USB install and Live media.

114
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #990
Written by willpost the 29 Feb 08 at 05:50.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #990 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

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Comments
dino99 wrote on the 1 Mar 08 at 15:36
my wish:

1)direct install from mirrors / repositories without the need of downloading anythings for burning

2)gui for install (i mean mapping like in gparted)to select
partition and grub boot sector

Today, it's a nightmare when you try to make an install.

txtfile wrote on the 18 Mar 08 at 23:43
I want to get a network-installation like this one from Debian.
The Debian-network-installation is very simple and easy to use. I use only the Debian-network-installation when I install Debian on any PC.
I find that at first an operating system and then updating it is the false way. I do not want to install the old packages from the CD/else and then update this one.

jvin248 wrote on the 17 Aug 08 at 21:40
An Very Easy USB installation process exists .... if you look at "damn small linux" (DSL). There is an option for "install to pendrive" and after a few lines it installs on the USB. Then it boots just easy.

DSL is a great distro, is based on Debian (and Knoppix). I've got one low spec machine I use that's booted off a 64MB DSL USB stick for years, but DSL has it's own quirks. I'd really like to use a larger USB (I have an 8GB one I've been testing, prices have come way down) and boot X/K/Ubuntu from it.

All the Ubuntu USB installs I've seen and tried are basically trying to just copy the liveCD on the USB - so it "boots" but slow because it's unpacking things all the time rather than a regular HDD install.


But check out the ease of using DSL to install to pendrive. Maybe the DSL author can help suggest fastest way for Ubuntu to get there.




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