this post was submitted on 06 Aug 2025
64 points (93.2% liked)

Linux

57175 readers
596 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Ive got some ideas to try with a flashdrive ive picked up but i want to know what others would do with such a device? I was thinking i could use it for retro gaming or something like important files.

What would you do?

I know its not alot of room but i got it for cheap.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] infjarchninja@lemmy.ml 8 points 3 days ago

I install a full MX-Linux distro on an old 32Gb usb drive.

Particularly helpful when family or friends have IT problems.

I install the latest downloaded distro on a usb with dd:

sudo fdisk -l

sudo dd if=MX-23.5_x64.iso of=/dev/sdX status=progress

The /dev/sdX could be sdb, sdc, sdd, or microsd /dev/nvme0n1

boot into the live distro F12,

fully update the live disk.

set it up as you would your new linux device. network manager, web browser, text editor, email, VPN, etc and any tools you want.

whatever you change here goes into your new usb distro settings

once complete, install and run bleachbit as user and as root to clear all the caches and install data.

install another blank usb into the laptop

Open MX-Linux tools to create a snapshot

select Snapshot.

select a different snapshot directory. use the blank usb you just inserted,

usually: /dev/sdb

rename the snapshot to a name of choice.

once the creation of the snapshot is complete, safely remove the usb drive and shut down the live distro.

boot into your daily driver.

Insert the usb drive with the MX-Linux snapshot, and transfer it to a new folder/directory.

insert the 32Gb usb. format it with gparted, fat32 is fine

open the folder/directory with the snapshot.iso

open a terminal

then install the snapshot onto the usb with dd.

sudo fdisk -l

sudo dd if=snapshot.iso of=/dev/sdX status=progress

The /dev/sdX could be sdb, sdc, sdd, or microsd /dev/nvme0n1

always double check with:

sudo fdisk -l