dualboot usb - what do i need to know?

[huh]

i've been using an 8gb usb stick to install win7 for a while now and want the option to do so in the future. today i decided to try ubuntu as well. i loaded ubuntu onto a 1gb usb stick and toyed with it a bit. i can't, however, update the os due to the space requirements. what i'd like to do is partition (or something like that) my 8gb usb stick so that i can boot from bios into either the win7 setup or the ubuntu persistence install. i'd like to do so because throughout the day i use a few different machines and i'd like to have the option to format/reinstall win 7 with my usb stick AND boot the machine into ubuntu from the same device. i haven't tried anything yet, just looking for some expert opinions first. thoughts?

[jaclaz]

i haven't tried anything yet, just looking for some expert opinions first. thoughts?

Read the stickies in this very forum.

Choose one of the available methods.

Try it.

Easiest should be:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120444

Plese note how there are TWO versions of the thingy:

• 0.2.3 STABLE
  
• 1.0 BETA
  

that use DIFFERENT methods.

jaclaz

[ilko_t]

How did you add Windows 7? Do you use grub4dos MBR or bootsector?

Which Ubuntu version are you using?

Windows 7 setup and Ubuntu can happily coexist in the same partition, just provide details what you've got so far.

How familiar are you with Linux? Could you create the persistent file from Linux?

Will need these links:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD/Persistence

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/casper-rw-creator-make-a-persistent-file-from-windows/

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LiveUsbPendrivePersistent

The idea is to have Ubuntu Live loaded by grub4dos as an ISO file, create casper-rw and add "persistent" to kernel parameters.

[huh]

i haven't tried anything yet, just looking for some expert opinions first. thoughts?

Read the stickies in this very forum.

Choose one of the available methods.

Try it.

Easiest should be:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120444

Plese note how there are TWO versions of the thingy:

• 0.2.3 STABLE
  
• 1.0 BETA
  

that use DIFFERENT methods.

jaclaz

Phew, that looks like a long read. I'll give it a go when I've got a little spare time. I'll post results.

[huh]

How did you add Windows 7? Do you use grub4dos MBR or bootsector?

Which Ubuntu version are you using?

Windows 7 setup and Ubuntu can happily coexist in the same partition, just provide details what you've got so far.

How familiar are you with Linux? Could you create the persistent file from Linux?

Will need these links:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD/Persistence

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/casper-rw-creator-make-a-persistent-file-from-windows/

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LiveUsbPendrivePersistent

The idea is to have Ubuntu Live loaded by grub4dos as an ISO file, create casper-rw and add "persistent" to kernel parameters.

I don't recall specifically how I got the win7 installation onto the usb stick. I've since formatted. If I'm correct I believe I used "Novicorp WinToFlash" to make the drive bootable and add the installation.

I am completely unfamiliar with Linux, but I have been fiddling with it for a couple days, installed Ubuntu 10.10 x64 to the drive several times (had some problems but never with installation of OS) and I've used the Universal USB Installer (v1.8.1.5) as linked on Ubuntu's website to install both with and without persistence. Installing both the Win7 setup and Ubuntu's live installer with persistence are no problem for me. I just haven't been able to think of a method of doing both and making them both available to select from when booting from the usb drive.

I think though that the previous poster's link will provide directions. It's 1am and I've got an early start, though, so this will have to wait a while. Thank you both for your assistance thus far, I look forward to working on this with your help.

[ilko_t]

... I've since formatted...

This makes it easier

1) Use WinSetupFromUSB 1.0 beta6

2) Format stick with either of the tools included, use FAT32

3) Select your WIndows 7 source in the appropriate field

4) Select the Ubuntu ISO

5) Press GO

6) Edit menu.lst in the USB stick root and add "persistent" to Ubuntu kernel parameters, for example:

kernel /casper/vmlinuz file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper persistent iso-scan/filename=...

7) Create casper-rw file in root of the USB stick with help of the links above, there is a Windows program if you don't want to mess with Linux.

8) Report back