How to Boot Multiple Linux Distributions From USB Drive

Posted on: Dec 26th, 2009


Some users expressed the need to boot multiple distributions from single USB drive upon reading the post about LIVE Ubuntu USB. To all of you, here is a way to boot into multiple ISO images from a single USB drive.

One thing to remember here is, this method cannot create persistent distributions on the pendrive. Any changes you make to the system will be lost. The only method to avoid that is to install operating systems to the USB drive and use them as installed systems and not as live systems.

First of all, download the ISO files of all the distributions you wish to embed in your USB drive. Currently supported distributions are *buntu, Mint, UBCD, DSL, Parted Magic, RIP, SliTaZ, OphCrack XP and Vista. You will need a USB drive with approximately 1GB space over the size of all ISO images. Follow the instructions and you are done!

Download and run MultiBootISOs. The program is self explanatory. Just follow on-screen instructions. Dump all the ISO files you want to the root of the USB drive (directly to the drive, not under any directory). Now restart the computer and change the boot device to USB from the BIOS setup. You will soon be greeted with a list of all the operating systems currently residing on the drive. Chose the one you want and enjoy.



About the author


Aditya is a Linux fanatic, a nature photographer, a music fiend... He spends most of his time these days listening to Music while browsing the Internet about various topics of his interest ranging from Electronics to coffee recipes.


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