Burn live Linux distro's the easy way!

Note: This is my first instructable, please bare with me if there any mistakes I apologise in advance.

Unetbootin (Universal Netboot Installer) is a piece of software for creating live Linux USB disk's.

It comes with a range of preselected distro's all of which are regularly updated with the latest release. The following list is not the full list of Linux distro's but here are a few:

Ubuntu
Debian
Arch linux
NetBSD
FreeBSD
FreeDOS

Anyway you get the idea. In this instance we are going to burn Ubuntu to the USB disk.

Step 1 Download and install Unetbootin.

OK, quite a simple step go to http://lubi.sourceforge.net/unetbootin.html and download and install Unetbootin.

It works for both Linux and Windows, in this instance I am using Windows Vista. After you have got to the homepage, click and install either the linux or windows installer (Windows XP and Vista users click the windows button).

Click run to start the install.

Comments

[rosenred]

I would advise against formatting from the command line for beginners... It's easy to mix the drive letters and format your external HD that is full of your favorite music.

You can go to "My computer" right click on the USB and choose "Format" from the menu.

Cheers :)

[PunchTheDonkeyOnTheNose]

Good advice... But for those of us who have taken the training wheels off we normally (not always!) get on fine.

[rosenred]

Of course! And if you ask me, one should be able to handle a little bit of old command line in general. It's good, no?

I still remember though, how my cousin came crying for help after following some instructions a friend gave her and as a result she formatted the USB drive containing her CV and other documents she did not have stored anywhere else... Boy, you wouldn't want to be there :D

[ubuntuser]

With Ubuntu 8.10, a USB disk creator wizard is included with the operating system. So, for example, you can download a USB image file and burn it directly to USB.

[willrandship]

That application actually erases the content of your usb. Unetbootin leaves the original contents in place. Just one advantage. It's also simpler.

[PunchTheDonkeyOnTheNose]

Good comment there. It does indeed preserve the contents of a USB disc (which speeds up the transfer of files on to a new installation) It is in my opinion an all round neater way to do it.

[TheShawMaestro]

One could always go into Disk Utility, then click "Burn Image".

[build a BOOM]

My bios dosn't allow booting from USB. How would I updade BIOS in order to do so.

[admin]

This is a great Instructable, but you need to add a main image of the final project to the intro step. Please do that and leave me a message when you have so that we can publish your work. Thanks!