Linux distro supporting boot from USB drive and also supports VMware player

[AmberJain]

Hello,

I'm posting this thread here as a thread in Windows forum has taken a turn and is now going on the Linux path. The thread can be found here.

Now the description of actual problem.........
I need a Linux distro for USB drives (also called Pendrives). The Linux distro must have GUI (Graphical User Interface). The linux distro must support installation of VMware Player also (A light weight distro is preferred).

i.e. I need a GUI linux distro which will boot off USB drive and then I will run VMware Player on it.

Which distro supports this?

THANKS in advance.......................

[Laharl]

Depending on the size of the USB drive, Ubuntu is a thought. Damn Small Linux is another, though I'm not sure if that has a GUI, which is kinda needed for virtualization. Knoppix is popular with live CDs, I think that's small enough for your needs.

[Nepomuk]

Depending on the size of the USB drive, Ubuntu is a thought. Damn Small Linux is another, though I'm not sure if that has a GUI, which is kinda needed for virtualization. Knoppix is popular with live CDs, I think that's small enough for your needs.

Ubuntu certainly is a thought, although it might be a bit big for this purpose (as I've written in the original thread). DSL does come with a GUI: fluxbox.
Knoppix is a very nice distro, however I've had problems installing stuff on there even when it's installed to a USB drive, as it's not thought for installations on changeable devices. I'm just trying to install VMWare Player on DSL, so I'll be back with more information soon.

Greetings,
Nepomuk

[edwardrsmith]

Ubuntu shouldn't be a major problem for size as it should easily fit on a 4GB memory stick (which you can find for 10-20 dollars on sale). Alternatively, you could use a custom kernel or remove packages to get the install smaller. Additionally, if xubuntu was used, then the install would also be a lot smaller.

Edward

Something else I just realized after looking at the original forum. The reasoning mentioned about using the virtual machine to remove hardware dependencies has a large flaw in the logic as although the virtual machine does generate virtual hardware, if the host system (in this case whatever you install on the usb stick) does not recognize the actual hardware on the computer then the virtual machine will not be able to access the hardware either.

[Nepomuk]

Something else I just realized after looking at the original forum. The reasoning mentioned about using the virtual machine to remove hardware dependencies has a large flaw in the logic as although the virtual machine does generate virtual hardware, if the host system (in this case whatever you install on the usb stick) does not recognize the actual hardware on the computer then the virtual machine will not be able to access the hardware either.

Actually, I don't think this is a flaw - as I understand it, the OP just wants a portable Windows system and as you can't have a full portable version of Windows on a USB stick and Windows is always problematic about new hardware, having the same hardware for the Windows system at all times through VMWare is a good idea.

I'm just testing DSL in terms of VMWare (never used it much before, although I've been wanting to - now I have a good reason ^^), but if it doesn't work, I agree the OP should go for Xubuntu. I have VMWare running on Xubuntu myself, so I know that it works.

Greetings,
Nepomuk

[edwardrsmith]

If that is the case then that part of my previous comment can be ignored. I just decided that it was best to mention it incase ambrnewlearner had forgotten about that.

Edward

[harshadd]

Actually, I don't think this is a flaw - as I understand it, the OP just wants a portable Windows system and as you can't have a full portable version of Windows on a USB stick and Windows is always problematic about new hardware, having the same hardware for the Windows system at all times through VMWare is a good idea.

I'm just testing DSL in terms of VMWare (never used it much before, although I've been wanting to - now I have a good reason ^^), but if it doesn't work, I agree the OP should go for Xubuntu. I have VMWare running on Xubuntu myself, so I know that it works.

Greetings,
Nepomuk

VM ware works on most linux based system, I am trying to make a system which will hardware independent , so that I can easily move around with it and use any PC's Hardware , to switch up my (vertual ) PC with the setof applications and software I need.