Simpler instructions for persistence

Post#1 by **sailaway** » 13 Feb 2023, 23:35

Hi I'm new to Linux. 3 Qs: 1)) I can't follow the instructions for persistence for live USB (using Windows). Where can I find simplified, step by step instructions? 2)) a full install on USB flash drive would give me memory/persistence, but; are there drawbacks to that? I'm aware in general of the difference between live and full install. 3)) if someone was generous enough to reply, where would the reply come? My em on file is rcwj******[email protected]
Thanks in advance; James

Post#2 by **Ed_P** » 14 Feb 2023, 06:58

sailaway wrote: ↑
13 Feb 2023, 23:35
1)) I can't follow the instructions for persistence for live USB (using Windows). Where can I find simplified, step by step instructions?

Two ways: 1. Format the USB drive as ext4, changes will be saved on the drive. 2. Format the USB drive as FAT32 and once Porteus is booted go to it's menu, click on the Admin > Porteus SaveFile Manager option and follow it's instructions to create a file for saving changes.

sailaway wrote: ↑
13 Feb 2023, 23:35
2)) a full install on USB flash drive would give me memory/persistence, but; are there drawbacks to that? I'm aware in general of the difference between live and full install.

I'm not sure what a "live" install would be. Installs involve copying ALL files and folders in the ISO to the USB drive and running a /boot/Porteus-installer script.

sailaway wrote: ↑
13 Feb 2023, 23:35
3)) if someone was generous enough to reply, where would the reply come?

Right here.

sailaway wrote: ↑
13 Feb 2023, 23:35
My em on file is rcw*****[email protected]

Not a good idea to post your email address in public forums.

Post#3 by **sailaway** » 22 Feb 2023, 23:47

Thank you very much for the input Ed.
And another question if you don't mind.
If I format the flash drive in ext4, will it boot up on my Windows PC? ( secure boot disabled Etc)

Post#4 by **Ed_P** » 22 Feb 2023, 23:59

I don't know sailaway. I've never tried it but I know EFI requires FAT32. Can you bypass EFI and do a BIOS boot, I don't know.

Added in 5 hours 53 minutes 13 seconds:
Actually there is a way to have both. You partition the drive with a FAT32 partition and an ext4 partition. The FAT32 partition would be about 512 MB and the rest of the drive would be ext4. The Porteus EFI folder would be on the FAT32 partition and all the other Porteus files and folder would be on the ext4 partition.

I think the USB_INSTRUCTIONS.txt file in the ISO describe this scenario.

Post#5 by **appEnigma** » 17 Jun 2023, 12:49

Hi,

I know I am late in this thread but wanted to understand about the file size when creating the persistence file. How much size normally it should be and in what circumstances I should increase or decrease file size ?

Post#6 by **Ed_P** » 18 Jun 2023, 02:54

My save.dats are usually 512MB and about 50% full. I save and move download files to my drive so they don't impact my save.dat. I also tweak my changes-exit.conf file to minimize what changes get saved.

Post#7 by **appEnigma** » 18 Jun 2023, 12:12

Ed_P wrote: ↑
18 Jun 2023, 02:54
My save.dats are usually 512MB and about 50% full. I save and move download files to my drive so they don't impact my save.dat. I also tweak my changes-exit.conf file to minimize what changes get saved.

So persistence file is simply a storage file right? Whatever changes or addition I would do in my system will be filling up data in the .dat file. Is my understanding correct ?

Post#8 by **Ed_P** » 18 Jun 2023, 18:32

appEnigma wrote: ↑
18 Jun 2023, 12:12
Is my understanding correct ?

Yup. But additions are things like bookmarks, cache files, /home/guest/ scripts, etc, not XZM modules. If the things you change or add are small, the save.dat file can be small. If you save downloads and pictures in your /home/guest/ folders your save.dat file will need to be hugh. A disadvantage to saving files in the save.dat is they are only accessible via Porteus. If you boot Windows, or other OSs, and want to access a file in the save.dat you can't.

Post#9 by **appEnigma** » 18 Jun 2023, 19:13

Ok. Got it. That clears some doubts. Thank you

As you said I can't access the files in Windows or Other OSes. How to solve that ? I mean what changes should I do to be able to access in other OS ?

Post#10 by **Ed_P** » 18 Jun 2023, 21:52

appEnigma wrote: ↑
18 Jun 2023, 19:13
I mean what changes should I do to be able to access in other OS ?

Save them either someplace directly to the harddrive/USB drive or save copies of them there.

Post#11 by **appEnigma** » 19 Jun 2023, 12:21

Thanks for the info

Post#12 by **appEnigma** » 01 Jul 2023, 12:11

One more question
If I have multiple .dat container what is the advantage and disadvantage.

For example I have 500MB container but I have exhausted the limit for which I created another one. Can porteus use both the container at once ?

Post#13 by **Ed_P** » 01 Jul 2023, 12:31

No you can't use 2 save.dat files at the same time. If your save.dat file is full expand it, an option in the same window where you create a save.dat file.

Another option is to rename the full save.dat file to be an xzm file and save it in the /modules folder. While your changes in it will be present they won't be changeable.

Post#14 by **appEnigma** » 01 Jul 2023, 15:04

Ed_P wrote: ↑
01 Jul 2023, 12:31
No you can't use 2 save.dat files at the same time. If your save.dat file is full expand it, an option in the same window where you create a save.dat file.

Another option is to rename the full save.dat file to be an xzm file and save it in the /modules folder. While your changes in it will be present they won't be changeable.

Ok. Will try that