Hi
nushie,
How do I get a Linux flash drive?
Another Linux alternative.
NOTE: The
light blue text are links to the relevant websites and programs, just
click them!
Win 7 System Recovery Options - Linux LIVE DVD Or USB
You can create a
Linux Live DVD or
USB [this means that the Linux OS runs directly from the DVD or USB and not the HDD because it
doesn't need installation]. This will read the HDD information which is inaccessible through Windows directly from the controller and is often a better solution in these types of situations. Another advantage of this is that you will have less activity on your HDD while you are trying to access it and retrieve [look at] the contents.
Download the Linux ISO [I have used
Linux Mint for this example] from here =>
Linux Mint.
Now
burn the ISO [you can't just copy and paste it because it won't work] to a
DVD or
USB.
To burn the ISO to a
DVD, you can use the Windows 7 built in ISO burner.
To burn the ISO to a
USB, you can either use
Rufus 3.3 or
Rufus 3.3 Portable.
Using
Rufus will
ERASE ALL THE DATA on the USB, so make sure that you
backup any data that you need
FIRST. The USB
MUST be
bigger than the ISO file that you are burning.
Now
boot into the
DVD or
USB.
Nothing will be installed to your HDD unless you specifically tell it to. You can now retrieve [look at] the contents of the HDD from within Linux. When you have finished and want to go back into Windows, just remove the DVD or USB, then
Shutdown and
Restart the computer.
NOTE: I have used
Linux Mint as an example. There are several other versions available which work in exactly the same way.
When creating a
Linux Live Bootable USB using
Rufus, you can pretty much leave the default settings as they are. However, you may be confronted with some
ERRORS. Here are the errors and the ways to overcome them:
[1] If the message
This image uses Syslinux x.xx/xxxxxxxx but this application only includes the installation files for Syslinux x.xx/xxxx-xx-xx appears, this is because the version of Linux that is being installed is newer that what Rufus is supporting by default. Click
Yes to download the new files.
[2] If the message
ISOHybrid image detected appears, click
OK.
[3] If the message
WARNING: ALL DATA ON DEVICE WILL BE DESTROYED appears, click
OK.
[4] If the message
IMPORTANT: THIS DRIVE CONTAINS MULTIPLE PARTITIONS!! appears, click
OK.
[5] If the message
Error: Could not open media. It may be in use by another process. Please re=plug the media and try again appears, click
Close. You simply un-plug the USB and re-plug it back in and start again. This time it will work!
Win 7 System Recovery Options - Linux LIVE DVD Or USB Alternative [Thanks to SIW2]
This alternative is an easier way to create a
Linux Live Bootable USB.
To watch the full process click the YouTube link here =>
Embracing Linux: Bootable USB Drive.
The
Universal USB Installer can be downloaded from here =>
Universal-USB-Installer-1.9.8.3.
I hope this helps!
