Linux Solutions

This guide will cover the process of installing SUSE Linux to a USB flash drive using the OpenSUSE Live CD. Please note that due to the limited number of write functions a flash drive can handle before going bad, you may reduce the life of your flash drive by performing this installation.

USB SUSE install Requirements
It is a good idea to note the USB SUSE install requirements as below:
• 4GB+ USB flash drive (Highly recommend the OCZ Rally 2 Turbo)
• OpenSUSE Live CD
• Portable SUSE conversion script

How to make a Portable SUSE:
It is important to note that before proceeding, backup all data you wish to save from your flashdrive. In addition, physically disconnect any internally attached hard drives to avoid the possibility of installing to the wrong device. If your flash drive contains a fat filesystem it will be shrunk and new partitions will be added for the SUSE OS (so you will still have a Windows accessible partition).

1. Download the Live CD KDE (685MB) ISO, burn to a CD and start your system from the
CD
2. Once SUSE is up and running, insert your USB flashdrive
3. When prompted that a new medium has been detected, select the option to Do
Nothing and check the box to Always do this for this type of media then click OK
4. Next, click the My Computer icon from your SUSE desktop
5. Locate your USB device from the Disk Information section on the page
6. Right click on the device and select Properties
7. From the Properties window that appear, click the Mounting tab
8. Uncheck the Mount automatically box and click OK
9. From the Disk Information section, right click on the device again and select to Safely
Remove
10. Now unplug and reinsert your flash drive.
11. You may be prompted again that a new medium has been detected, select the option
to Do Nothing and check the box to Always do this for this type of media then click OK
12. Next, start the installer via the install icon on your desktop and proceed to follow the
onscreen instructions. Once you get to the Live Installation Settings page, click
Partitioning
13. Next, from the Suggested Partitioning page, select the option to Base Partition Setup
on This Proposal and click Next
14. Now from the Expert Partitioner page, select your Fat Partition and click Resize

15. From the resize pop up window that appears, reduce the size of your windows
partition to around 200MB or less
16. In the pop up that appears click Yes to allow the Linux partiton to use the new empty
space
17. Next, Accept and continue the install. Once the installer has finished, reboot your
computer. Remove the CD from the drive and proceed to boot from the USB device
18. Continue the onscreen setup process… users and passwords etc.
19. Skip the Online Update Configuration step.
20. Once your up and running again, press alt+f2 and type konsolesu then press Enter
21. Type wget pendrivelinux.com/downloads/portablesuse.tar.gz
22. Type tar -zxvf *.tar.gz
23. Type ./installation and follow the onscreen instructions answering y to all of the
questions
24. Type reboot to reboot and ensure that everything is still working

You should now be able to run your Portable SUSE from any PC that can boot from a USB device. You can now re-attach any internal drives to your PC and run your Portable SUSE whenever and wherever you want.