Sysresccd-manual-en How to install SystemRescueCd on an USB-stick

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Contents

[edit] Introduction

This chapter explains how to install SystemRescueCd on an USB-stick. It allows to use this system from an USB stick (mini hard disk) instead of using a CDRom. First, you need SystemResuceCd 0.2.18 or newer, and an USB stick with enough space. If you use the official version, you need at least 256 MB. Of course, you need a computer that supports USB, with almost a free USB socket. You BIOS must be able to boot on USB hard disks, and it must be defined before other devices in the boot devices order.

Due to a bug introduced in SystemRescueCd-0.4.0, there is a problem to boot a floppy disk image from an usb stick. The solution is to use SystemRescueCd-0.4.2 or newer.

[edit] Installation from Linux

If you don't have Linux installed, you can burn SystemRescueCd on a CDRom, and perform the install from this system itself.

[edit] step-01: Find the device name

You need the device of the USB stick. In most cases, Linux detects this device as an SCSI hard disk. In other words, it is detected as /dev/sda1 (first partition of first SCSI device), or /dev/sdb1 if you have another SCSI device. Since kernel 2.6.8 USB sticks may be seen as /dev/uba, /dev/ubb, ...

Here is how you can know the device name. First, start your computer under Linux with the USB stick unplugged. Then, load all USB modules (you may need to load other USB modules first). This command should not be required if the USB storage support is build-in the kernel. If modprobe can't find this module, it might be normal. 

modprobe usb-storage

Now, you have to plug your USB stick, and have a look at the kernel messages. You may find the device name. 

dmesg | tail -n 50

Here is a example of report from the kernel: 

Initializing USB Mass Storage driver...
usb.c: registered new driver usb-storage
USB Mass Storage support registered.
hub.c: new USB device 00:02.0-2, assigned address 3
scsi1 : SCSI emulation for USB Mass Storage devices
 Vendor: EXATEL    Model: i-BEAD100         Rev: 0001
 Type:   Direct-Access                      ANSI SCSI revision: 02
WARNING: USB Mass Storage data integrity not assured
USB Mass Storage device found at 3

Then, you should try to mount the device: 

mkdir /mnt/usbstick
mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /mnt/usbstick

If there is no space enough left on the device (about 170 MB), you will have to erase the current files (all data will be lost): 

rm -rf /mnt/usbstick/*

[edit] step-02: Copy files from the CDRom

Now, you have to copy the most important files. The SystemRescueCd disc must be mounted on /mnt/cdrom. You can mount the ISO file too, in order to avoid burning a CD-R. The stick is mounted on /mnt/usbstick. Be careful, according to an user in the forums the order matters: 

cp /mnt/cdrom/syslinux/syslinux.cfg /mnt/usbstick/
cp -r /mnt/cdrom/isolinux/* /mnt/usbstick/
cp -r /mnt/cdrom/bootdisk/* /mnt/usbstick/
cp /mnt/cdrom/sysrcd.dat /mnt/usbstick/

[edit] step-03: Make the disk bootable

Now, you have to unmount the USB stick, and make it bootable with syslinux. Of course, you have to replace /dev/sda1 with the device name of your stick: 

umount /mnt/usbstick
syslinux /dev/sda1
sync

An user reported that ms-sys -s /dev/sdX helps in case of problems. So you may think about it if it does not work.

[edit] Installation from Windows

[edit] step-01: Find the device letter

You have to plug your USB stick while Windows is running. In the explorer, a new drive letter will appear, and you can access the file of this USB stick. In this manual, we will suppose your USB stick letter is E:. Don't forget to change this letter in the commands if required.

[edit] step-02: Copy files from the CDRom

Now, you have to copy the most important files from the CDRom. If you don't want to burn the CDRom, you can read the files from the ISO file with utilities such as WinImage. First, format the device. You will need about 120 MB. You have to copy several files:

  1. Copy syslinux/syslinux.cfg to the root of the USB device
  2. Copy files in the isolinux directory to the root of the USB device
  3. Copy files in the bootdisk directory to the root of the USB device
  4. Copy sysrcd.dat to the root of the USB device

[edit] step-03: Make the disk bootable

Now, you have to make your stick bootable with syslinux. You will have to run this program from a prompt console (cmd.exe). Don't forget to change this letter in the commands if required. 

syslinux -ma E:

You can find the syslinux program on the CDRom. The Windows version is provided as a ZIP archive. You just need syslinux.exe from the archive.

Some users reported that the option ma may be necessary with syslinux to get it to work. That's why we provides these options in that handbook. It works only on Windows:

  • -m means write mbr
  • -a means make drive partition active (aka bootable).

[edit] Booting from the USB stick

First, check the "USB hard disk" is defined as the first boot device in your BIOS. If that works, you should see the SystemRescueCd boot splash with the prompt. It must not be required to add option "usbstick" to the command line, since it has been added in syslinux.cfg. But if you have problems, try it anyway. For example, if you want to boot with the default boot image and with a british keybaord, you should type this at prompt: 

rescuecd setkmap=uk

You should press F2, F3, F4 for more help about boot options. Then, press enter. If must work as a regular SystemRescueCd from a CDRom drive.

[edit] USB keys models known to work

It's sometimes a pain to get syslinux to work on an USB key. Here are some models reported by users that are known to work well with syslinux, and on which you must be able to install SystemRescueCd:

  • COSK'EY Silver (It exists in 2GB or 4GB or 8GB).
  • Flash Disk, 256 Mo
  • PQI, U310, 1 Go
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