Is it possible to install an OS on a USB key?

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LegendBreath

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Hi,
Is it possible to install and OS and boot on it from a USB key? I would like to install a trim down linux on a USB key and then just plug it in my PC to boot on Linux. I don't really care if it's slower than a hard drive. Is it slower or faster? And is it possible?
 
Interesting question, but I have never tried this before. I'm curious, do you have a specific need to do this or are you just experimenting? Knoppix is a great distro and runs from the CD. You might try that if you're looking for portability.
If you do figure this out, let us know, I would be interested to see how it is done.
 
I don't think so, because if you look in CMOS, it won't pick up any drives in the USB ports
 
**** Small Linux (yeah, that's what it's called) has a USB setup. It's only a 50 MB OS, and comes with a crap-load of programs bundled.
 
My WebDeisgn teacher does it, but abit differently. He uses a USB HD and boots form it, so I figure it's possible. I noticed that when I leave my USB drive in when I boot, it searches it. I guess it's looking for an OS, I'm not sure. But it does look for something on it, so I think you could. Try it out.
 
I just need something really silent so... this would be the best solution. I want to do some Media Center, like a super silent one :p Thanks all! Well, in my BIOS I got a USB Boot thingy (even tought it's a pretty old motherboard)
 
Some motherboards do allow booting from a usb device so I will say yes, it is possible. Not possible to bounce between systems though due to different hardware components, unless your bouncing between machines of the same type.
 
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