Ubuntu-based ISO + persistence (.isopersist)

If your LiveCD ISO is based on Ubuntu and it contains a \casper folder and recognises a persistent volume name of casper-rw, you can use the .isopersist file extension together with an ext file to boot from the iso file with persistence. No extra .mnu file is required. 

Typical Ubuntu-based ISOs that you can use with a .isopersist file extension are: ubuntu, lubuntu, xbmcbuntu, linuxMint, peppermint, cublinux (+Chromixium), elementaryos, linuxlite, zorin, StartOS, bitdefender, BackTrack5, lxle and DrWeb. 

For Debian and other LiveCD ISOs, if you want persistence you must use a .mnu file or try the .isopersistdebian file extension.

When using .isopersist with Ubuntu ISOs, you do not need to copy and modify a .mnu file. You just need these files (example filenames):

• \ubuntu-17_04-desktop-amd64-rw (ext persistence file)
• \_ISO\LINUX\ubuntu-17_04-desktop-amd64.isopersist (iso file)
• \_ISO\LINUX\ubuntu-17_04-desktop-amd64.txt  (optional – not required)

The procedure is as follows: 

1. (optional) Open the .ISO file (e.g. using 7Zip) and check it has a /isolinux folder and a /casper folder. 
2. Copy the .ISO file to any suitable E2B menu folder (e.g. \_ISO\LINUX). 
3. Change the file extension of the .iso file to .isopersist. 
4. Use \_ISO\docs\Make_Ext\Make_Ext.exe (E2B v1.A3+) (or use RMPrepUSB.exe – Create ext2/3/4) to create a -rw file with exactly the same name as the ISO file but with -rw added, the volume name must be casper-rw for Ubuntu-based ISOs, e.g. for ubuntu64.isopersist create a persistence file as follows:

• File Name = Ubuntu64-rw       – Note: no spaces or dots (full-stops) in filename – same as iso filename but with -rw added (example is for Ubuntu64.iso)
• Volume Name = casper-rw     – must be casper-rw for Ubuntu ISOs
• Type = ext3                            – or ext4 (ext2 is not recommended as it is prone to corruption)
• Size =  300                            – as large as you like (note: some OSs require at least 300MB)

Note that the persistence file must end in -rw but must start with the same filename as the ISO file but with no file extension.
Also note that RMPrepUSB cannot create ext files with spaces in the filename, but you can change the filename after it has been created. 

5. (optional) Move the -rw persistence file to the same folder as the ISO file (or leave it in the root folder of the E2B drive).

Make sure it does not contain any dots in the filename. If it contains a dot then the persistence file will be listed in the E2B menu if you place it in a menu folder instead of the root. For example, if you use  \_ISO\LINUX\linuxmint-18.3-cinnamon-64bit-rw, then an erroneous ‘linuxmint-18’ menu item will also appear in the Linux sub-menu as well as the linuxmint-18.3-cinnamon-64bit.isopersist file. 

When you first boot, E2B will modify the ISO file permanently.

If it fails to work, delete and replace the ISO file in case it is corrupted – do not use the modified .iso file with a .mnu file or for any other purpose. 

You can also add a .txt file if you want to change the menu entry text and menu entry help text under the menu. 

Note: The ‘quiet splash’ kernel keywords, which are in a file inside the iso, are replaced with the cheat code word ‘persistent’ by E2B, so you will now see all the linux messages as the ISO boots. If you don’t wish to see these lines displayed as it boots, then you must use a .mnu file instead of using the .isopersist file extension. 

Run the ISO without persistence

If you sometimes wish to run the same ISO without persistence, instead of using a .isopersist file, use the original ISO file and a persistence .mnu file – OR press SCROLL-LOCK before selecting the .isopersist file from the E2B menu and then type the extension you want – e.g. .iso

Persistence with Kali ISO files

You cannot use the .isopersist file extension with Kali. Kali requires an ext3 (or ext4) persistence file with a volume label of persistence. Use a .mnu file and follow the instructions inside the menu file (.e.g. “\_ISO\docs\Sample mnu files\Linux\kali-linux-2016_Persistent.mnu”) – you will need to make a persistence.conf file inside the persistence file… e.g. /dev/sdX3  where X is the letter for your USB drive…

 Kali requires a .mnu file and some manual changes. See also…Kali+Persistence (UEFI+MBR)
Full install of Kali 2.0 to a .imgPTN file with swap file
Add Kali linux + LUKS encryption to E2B