Add a fully installed Linux OS

You can add an unlimited number of fully installed Linux OS’s to an E2B drive (if you have enough space!).

Each OS image will be fully functional and all changes will be persistent (i.e. not just live+persistence mode but a full OS). 

  • You will need a Windows system to prepare the images (two partition image files per OS).
  • You will need to use Virtual Box and VMUB to install the Linux OS (or two USB drives).
  • The Linux distro must be able to be fully installed onto a single partition as root (\).

Outline

  1. Prepare two image files, one for the grub4dos boot files, one large, ext3/4 one for the linux partition using Make_Ext.exe or RMPrepUSB
  2. Switch to the new partitions by booting to E2B and selecting the .imgPTN file
  3. MBR-boot from the linux ISO file using Virtual Box and VMUB and format+install to the empty large partition on the E2B USB drive
    Tip: Do NOT allow it to resize, delete or create new partitions. You should only format the sdx3 partition.
  4. Now you can MBR-boot on any system to the full linux OS!

Here is one method for Kali which is applicable to most Linux distros. 

Note: Do NOT allow the installer to resize, create or delete existing partitions because the drive will probably not be bootable afterwards! Just keep the same file system type and use the format option only. Use Make_Ext.exe to create the correct file system (e.g. ext3 or ext4) first. 

For a detailed description of more Linux full installations, see the blog Tutorials list (search for ‘full’). 

It may also be possible to add a swap file if the Linux OS supports one. 

Note that you may have problems if you attempt to update Linux to a later revision if the boot files are changed, so take a backup of the .imgPTN file before attempting a version update. In some cases you may need to re-install the grub4dos boot code after an update!

Boot Linux from a .VHD or .VDI file

You can boot a multiple-partition Linux .VHD or .VDI file using E2B\agFM\Ventoy.

The VHD\VDI can be set up to both legacy and UEFI boot and give access to the source partition.

See here for more details.

New! Ventoy for Easy2Boot v1.0.97 now released!

 

eBooks available (in PDF format)

Easy-to-read eBooks are available in PDF format (each eBook is over 100 pages) – rated 4.5/5 stars.
Learn the secrets of Legacy and UEFI USB booting and then make your perfect multiboot USB drive.
E2B eBook #1 includes instructions on how to remove the E2B 5-second start-up delay blue screen.

E2B is unique in that it uses partition images which allows you to directly boot from Secure Boot images (no need to disable Secure Boot or run MOK manager or modify your UEFI BIOS).

Most eBooks are over 100 pages long, contain original content and step-by-step exercises which are suitable for both the beginner or the more experienced user.
Customer reviews are located at bottom of each eBook product page and multi-buy discounts are available when you buy more than one eBook. Please also visit RMPrepUSB.com and the E2B Forum.
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