Linux running from a flash drive on a Dell Inspiron 1520

Does anyone know of a good version of Linux to run from a flash drive on a Dell Inspiron 1520? I am trying Gentoo, but I cannot boot into it. I get an error that says something about no screens detected.
Does anyone know about a good version with a nice gui and good features, but bootable from a flash drive and working with the 1520?
I'd appreciate it very much.

Thanks in advance.

 

Try Ubuntu 7.04 (since 7.10 is still in beta, full release scheduled for Oct 18), as it's likely the most used Linux distro and it has amazing hardware recognition. Unfortunately I can't help you with getting it onto a flash drive, but this should do the trick:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=476302&highlight=install+on+usb
If the link doesn't work, then go to ubuntuforums.org and search install on usb and there will be a how to topic: that's the one to follow.

 

http://www.althack.com/2006/03/10/how-to-run-linux-on-a-usb-drive/

 

Jdban, there are two issues here.

1. You need to make the flash drive bootable, which basically means it has a small chunk of space reserved.

I have used the HP format utility described in dicecca112's link. It worked for me on a Kingston flash drive. Make sure you copy everything you need off the flash drive; it will be erased.

2. You need a distribution that works well on your hardware.

So far I don't know of any distribution that works really well on the 1520 right out of the box. Ubuntu Feisty is a bit difficult to install and takes some tweaking, but will work quite well after you get it all set up. I would bet that when Gutsy comes out (mid Oct.) it will install much easier and many of the other problems will be solved. However, you also need to consider the size of the distro. Ubuntu claims to require 4GB of disk space, so that's probably out of the question.

I used Puppy Linux a year or two ago and thought it was pretty nice for around 100MB and I'm sure it's only gotten better. DSL is also very compact. I just don't know how well these lite distros will support your hardware.


May I ask why you are trying to install it on a flash drive? If you are just trying to get familiar with Linux, you might try out different live CDs. Knoppix has always had pretty good hardware detection. I know at least some of the live CDs let you save settings, documents, etc to a flash drive.

 

DSL is built of Knoppix and works fine. I did it here http://www.legitreviews.com/article/555/1/

 

Puppy is working great for me so far, I am just having to deal with the school internet, and they need me to download and install java for my web browser before I can use the internet. Its being difficult to install something when i have no access to internet. The puppy linux Xorg interface doesnt support my computer, and that bothers me, but once I get it installed, I might actually be able to do it. I also cannot figure out how to install puppy linux onto a flash drive.

Puppy does boot up though, and I am able to do stuff in it.

Sadly, DSL did not support my network cards.

 

DSL won't work for your computer, as it uses 2.4 series kernel.

I assume you are running it with Vesa ATM? For proper support of 8600GT, you need the newest Nvidia driver. For sounds to work, you will need to new ALSA.

There are some distributions that comes with flash drive installer, Wolvix for example, but I cannot think of any that comes with breeding edge softwares, sorry.

 

I haven't used it myself, now I have heard much about this, but FaunOS may worth a try for you.

http://www.faunos.com/