Using SparkyLinux v5.0.
I want to install SparkyLinux on a USB thumb drive, not as live image but as a fully operating system to which i can save files, install further programs etc. In other words, if I take the thumbdrive to another computer, I can boot from it and have a working systems, with all my applications as if it was my desktop or laptop.
The ISO image was burnt to a DVD drive and I booted up my desktop as a live session and started the install process. However, SparkyLinux only recognized the /sda partitions on my hard drive, completely ignoring that I had a USB thumbdrive inserted.
I loaded gParted and the thumbdrive was recognised as sdd1. While in gParted, I formatted the thumbdrive with / and /swap partitions. The installer still did not recognise the thumb drive.
Is there any way I can force the installer to recognise the thumbdrive and thus be able to complete the install, please? I have searched both the Sparky and Debian Wikis but they do not appear to offer the assistance I need.
I haven't tried to install it on an USB drive using Calamares yet, but I installed Sparky on an USB using the Advanced installer.
It lets you choose the sdd1 drive as a root partition.
You should make sure to install swap on one of the sdd partitions and install Grub on the USB device as well (not on a hard drive if you want to take the USB away).
Thank you pavroo. I will try the advanced installer and report back.
My apologies for the delay in reporting further on this matter.
I used the Advanced Installation facility, as advised by pavroo and successfully installed SparkyLinux on a 32GB thumb drive. After installation finished, I changed computers and booted my Desktop into the thumbdrive Sparky Linux and it worked perfectly.
It is now up to date with yesterday's updates and I will run it from time to time to keep it current and also install additional programs, e.g. KMyMoney, Osmo, Variety, etc.
So, a very sincere thank you to pavroo for, once again, getting me out of trouble. It is very much appreciated.
As I understand it you are running the testing branch on that usb install.I have experimented with similar stuff earlier, and my experience is that a stable install works better. Just remember to upgrade as often as possible, I always ended with problems after big upgrades. But I ran sid back then, not anymore. ;)
Appreciate your concern and thank you for bringing it to my attention.
I used to run LinuxMint stable distribution and loved it. Went to Sparky just to try it and chose testing because, at my age (86 and counting) I decided I wanted to live dangerously but not as dangerous as sid would be ;D Found the testing branch stable enough for my purpose and, even better, my printer, a Brother MFCJ-5730DW works flawlessly on Sparky but doesn't work at all on Linux Mint.
So, here I am and not likely to change, unless something really drastic happens to the distribution.
Funny you mention it, I have also found out that Sparky and printing has been working out quite well. Yes, sid can be a little bit unforeseeable, and needs a little bit of care, special attention and patience. Can be very fun to play with though. ;D