Install Tiny Core Linux

Tiny Core 1.X

Install on a USB Drive

Tiny Core may be installed on a hard drive as explained in Install Tiny Core While Connected to the Internet or Without Being Connected to the Internet.

To install Tiny Core on a USB drive, use one of those methods with the following modifications.

Filesystems

Tiny Core can be installed on various filesystems. For the advantages and disadvantages of each filesystem, see Filesystems.

If you want to format the USB drive with a different filesystem, do it before installing Tiny Core.

Install Tiny Core

Copy Tiny Core (the directory "boot" and its contents) to the USB drive.

Create another directory called "tce" for extensions.

Copy Grub to the directory "boot."

Grub

When installing Tiny Core on a USB drive, use the following Grub commands:

default 0
timeout 5
waitusb=5

title Tiny Core
kernel /boot/bzImage quiet max_loop=255
initrd /boot/tinycore.gz

Note the differences from Grub on a hard drive.

"waitusb=5" has been added, as it may take time for the computer to read the USB drive. If this line is not added, Tiny Core may not start. "5" is the number of seconds the computer waits. The actual time required may vary with different computers and USB drives. You may change this number. If Tiny Core won't start on your USB drive, try "waitusb=10."

If the same USB drive is connected to different computers, drives may be designated differently. Everything which relates to specific drives has been left out, so it will work however the computer designates them.

For more information, see Grub.

Be aware, because "home=(partition)" has not been included, there is no home directory. So directories and files are only saved using backup. To save files, you must backup every time you shut down Tiny Core.

Master Boot Record

When setting up the master boot record on the USB drive, it is important that you don't unintentionally change the master boot record on the hard drive. If you do, you may not be able to start the operating systems on the computer.

One way to be sure, is to disconnect the computer's hard drive, and use a Linux live CD to get a Grub prompt.

With the hard drive disconnected, after getting a grub prompt, type:

root (hd0,0)
setup (hd0)
quit

If you do not disconnect the hard drive, and the computer has only one hard drive, after getting a grub prompt, type:

root (hd1,0)
setup (hd1)
quit

If the computer has two hard drives, and you do not disconnect them, after getting a grub prompt, type:

root (hd2,0)
setup (hd2)
quit

For more information, see Master Boot Record.

Run Tiny Core from USB

With the USB drive connected to the computer, turn the computer off and restart. Remember to remove the CD.

If the Computer Won't Start from the USB drive, click here for more information.

Be aware, older computers cannot be set up to start an operating system from a USB drive.

If the BIOS cannot be set up to start an operating system from a USB drive, you can use PLoP Boot Manager to start the operating system from the USB drive.

Select Backup Location

While running Tiny Core, open the Control Panel, and click "Backup/Restore." Type in the partition where you want backup. Click "Backup." You only need to select this once, and Tiny Core will continue to use it.

You can backup on the USB drive, or the computer's hard drive.

Swap Partition

A computer uses a swap partition like extra RAM.

If you install Tiny Core on a USB drive, do not make a swap partition on the USB drive, as it will greatly shorten the life of the USB drive. If Linux is installed on the hard drive, it will have a swap partition and Tiny Core will use it. If there is no swap partition, make one on the hard drive.

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