January 2011
We discussed a now popular alternative to Live CDs, namely USB Flash Drives. USB Flash Drives first became popular as a replacement for a Linux CD when 1GB drives became affordable. Now that 4GB drives are readily available for the same price, what is really needed is a way to combine several CDs onto one USB drive.
What is needed is an easy way for a Linux user to combine their own personal assortment of Live CDs that they use onto one convenient easy to use USB Flash Drive. Whenever you think of the USB flash drive and Linux the first reference source that comes to mind is Pendrivelinux.com. Pendrivelinux does not disappoint us and, in fact, they list not one, but three methods of achieving a multi-boot USB flash drive. Listed here, they are as follows:
- Boot Multiple ISOs from USB via Grub2 Using Linux
- Boot Multiple ISO from USB
- MultiSystem Create a MultiBoot USB from Linux
It is the last option that is demonstrated today and at the moment it seems to represent the fastest and easiest method of preparing a Multi-boot USB drive, at least for Debian derived distributions. Instructions for the program may be found at the Multi-System site, as well as the program itself. Be warned that you may need Google Translate, if you are not a French speaker. The installation page provides three methods for installation and a link to a boot cd for those who have systems that will not boot from USB.
| Upon running the program after installation, the user is presented with a reminder to insert their USB drive. » |  |
| Once the drive is inserted the user is prompted to select and validate the drive. » |  |
| If the drive has not yet been labeled, this is the message that MultiSystem gives. » |  |
| After the drive is validated and ready the gui is shown. » |  |
| An ISO image may then be added by drag and drop or using the add button (green arrow). » |  |
| The status window records the progress of the operation. » |  |
| And reports the installation of grub. » |  |
| The end result is displayed in the program gui. » |  |
| An interesting option that is available to the user is to test the USB Flash Drive using QEMU or another virtual environment. » |  |
| Here is the QEMU boot screen » |  |
| And here is our chosen ISO image booted inside QEMU. » |  |
