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I'm brand new- An Ubuntu convert- and I've been able to so far figure out how to burn the OS onto a DVD, and also how I can get it onto a thumb drive. I've even gotten it to work on both.

However, what I am concerned with is this: Can I continue to run Ubuntu ONLY via my thumb drive, and if so, when I get the screen telling me I can either "try Ubuntu" or install it, which do I choose? I've only done the former option, but if I do the latter, am I going to wipe my comp or will it actually only install on the thumb drive? I guess I'm wondering if I can treat my thumb drive like an external hard drive and just have it on there, so that I can use it when I want and then go back to my other OS when it's not plugged in.

Thanks for your help, all. Hopefully I'm making enough sense that you guys/gals know what I'm asking.

notsogoodatcomputerstuff
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    Try using a persistent install. Direct install is not recommend for reasons as stated here – Amith KK Feb 18 '14 at 05:26
  • It is not straightforward but it's possible. See http://askubuntu.com/questions/16988/how-do-i-install-ubuntu-to-a-usb-key-without-using-startup-disk-creator – Rmano Feb 18 '14 at 06:13

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You can continue to run from your thumb drive as is, this is a Persistent install if you have provided "extra space".

I am not afraid of wearing out thumb drives from overuse, my entertainment center runs off one and has been used daily for years.

If you do not want the Try/Install screen, replace the contents of the file syslinux.cfg with:

[CODE] default persistent label persistent say Booting a persistent Ubuntu session... kernel /casper/vmlinuz append file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper persistent initrd=/casper/initrd.lz quiet splash noprompt --[/CODE]

You can also do a Full install to thumb drive. Just disable your internal HDD and install to an 8GB or larger thumb drive as normal.

C.S.Cameron
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