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**Qqmike** · Feb 21, 2009, 02:15 PM

Re: If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

Thanks to andybleaden, this is what we (seem) to know about USB updates:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...er/+bug/292159
Workaround discussed here: http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/index.php?topic=3096170
in brief

(I've not had occasion yet to fully test such.)

**Browser_ice** · Feb 21, 2009, 02:24 PM

Re: If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

This seams to apply to USB that is a copy of LIVE CD. I did not used that method. Instead I used the LIVE CD to install Kubuntu on the USB key, just as if it was an HD. So I might not have that problem. In fact, once I booted with the USB key (not with the CD) I was able to do a full system update and even have a kernal update done.

**Qqmike** · Feb 21, 2009, 02:28 PM

Re: If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

Exactly. I just logged in again to say that! Yours is not a Live installation, but a regular one, and thus will/should update (or not) as usual.
I'm not sure about the answer to your question--problem is, I'm out the door just this minute--sorry about the mis-communication.

**Browser_ice** · Feb 21, 2009, 02:42 PM

Re: If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

I think the answer to my current question (only about the menu.lst) is creating the menu.lst to not refer to the actual kernel version to use. Its more about telling it to use whatever kernel version is on the O/S. I think I remember seeing this one day. But I am not sure. Currently doing research to find out if this is possible.

But I still need to know about all the files on that USB CD boot. Do I only have to change the menu.lst or do I have to change other files too at every kernel updates ?

**Qqmike** · Feb 21, 2009, 04:09 PM

Re: If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

just a few thoughts

> You might be talking about symlinks (to a generic vmlinuz).

> BUT, I don't think this should be an issue if the updates are executed correctly (from Adept or apt-get), because of this:

On the USB menu.lst, your boot entries (starting with the title lines) for your main Kubuntu (the one on the USB) should be placed between the line
*** BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
and the line
*** END AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

Every time you get a kernel update, the latest kernel is bumped to the top of the list.
Also, as part of the update, the menu.lst should be updated for you. (If not, then, yes, you gotta do it manually.)

=> But, it is important to tell GRUB in the menu.lst WHERE your kernels are, and you do that in the statement
#groot=
and in 8.10 you can do that using the UUID for the partition the USB Kubuntu is on
Example:
# groot=a494f765-4ecg-4cb5-8df4-f22018d25811
Where that UUID is the UUID of the Kubuntu partition (where /boot directory is).
...
and that is good thing because if you said something like
# groot=(hd1,0)
that might get goofed up if you were to install another drive at the same time a kernel update was called for and your USB Kubuntu GRUB root might NOT be at (hd1,0), whereas the UUID will not change (I've tested that).

Furthermore, I'm not sure what these CD files are you are referring to. You mean all those (nine or so) GRUB files located inside the folder /boot/grub (on the USB)?
If so, don't worry about them--they SHOULD be taken care of automatically in any correct apt-get or Adept upgrade of kernels or grub.
You only are using three of them: Stage_1, Stage_2, and Stage_1.5 for your filesystem, ext2, ext3, UFD, etc. El Torrito spec is for booting CDs. But leave them all there and try not to mess with them

As you know,
blkid
will give you your UUIDs.

If you have just two drives--one fixed internal and the USB external00the USB will be named hd1 in GRUB--again, as I'm sure you already found out. But if the #groot= statement will accept the UUID, then it is better than (hd1,x).

**Browser_ice** · Feb 21, 2009, 05:25 PM

Re: If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

Looking back at the CD menu.lst content, I am not sure anymore that the problem is with the CD itself as it has no information about the actual kernel to use (had forgotten about that). So I am lost as to why booting with the CD doesn't bring up the USB's own Grub to go to my USB's Kubuntu.

CD content:
boot.catalog
boot
-- initrd.gz
-- vmlinuz
-- grub
------ menu.lst
------ stage2_eltorito

CD menu.lst content:
title Run Kubuntu 8.10 from USB DISK
root (cd)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz file=/cdrom/preseed/kubuntu.seed boot=casper noprompt cdrom-detect/try-usb=true persistent quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.gz

CD created from Pendrivelinux.com :
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/usb-boo...r-kubuntu-810/

Since I am changing my US EXT3 partition to EXT2, I will try to boot to my USB with that CD I had created to see if it still hapens (before a system update) and then after the update. Could be just an isolated incident. I don't know.

**Qqmike** · Feb 21, 2009, 05:35 PM

Re: If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

Well, I'm lost.
I thought you did a straight, standard permanent install of Kubuntu 8.10 to the external USB HDD and installed GRUB to the MBR of that external drive.
In which case, the CD has nothing at all to do with this any more. Maybe someone else--with a fresh view--will look in here.

BTW if you are using pendrivelinux, well, there always seems to be some d*ed issue with that stuff, and their forum might be able to help;

**Browser_ice** · Feb 21, 2009, 07:01 PM

Re: If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

My CD Grub Boot to get to the USB grub failed even after I did a fresh Kubuntu install on the USB. The kernel is the same on the USB and initial Kubuntu Live CD and, the CD was created with files from the Live CD. Again, the USB Kubuntu is not a Live CD version but a normal Kubuntu install on a HDD. The CD booting got me to the initramfs after several CD, USB and HDD reads.

The only reason why I am doing a CD USB Boot is because some PC at the office don't allow USB booting and my home PC, for some odd reason, is the same. There is one PC at the office which I don't need the CD and therefore able to boot directly from the USB (which worked ok). I want to make sure I have a workable CD USB boot that will work no matter which kernel I have on the USB Kubuntu.

Maybe the problem is simply that this USB CD Boot from Pendrivelinux is buggy

Also, in wanting to go check pendrivelinux.com support, I can't find any forum. They only have a contact section which is the same as sending an email.

P.S.: my home PC when booting with a USB key (with or without an O/S on the USB) does not detect ANY USB (I have a USB mouse and USB keyboard). Therefore, it winds up in the HD grub but the keyboard is deactived. I do not know why it does this with a USB key. So if I want to use that USB Kubuntu at home, I have to create a workable USB CD boot grub. Booting without any USB key, works without problems at all.

**Qqmike** · Feb 21, 2009, 08:25 PM

Re: If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

A guy on Ubuntu used the following tip to boot from USB when his PC didn't have the BIOS capability to do so, involves building a boot CD using GRUB; this may be your situation, too:

USB--Boot from USB (e.g., on older PCs or no "boot from USB setting)
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootFromUSB

**Browser_ice** · Feb 21, 2009, 09:31 PM

Re: If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

Originally posted by Qqmike

A guy on Ubuntu used the following tip to boot from USB when his PC didn't have the BIOS capability to do so, involves building a boot CD using GRUB; this may be your situation, too:

USB--Boot from USB (e.g., on older PCs or no "boot from USB setting)
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootFromUSB

I am checking that link but I don't understand the initial mount thing. Does he mean to mount the USB key as a filesystem or to create a brand new filesystem that is a copy of the Live CD ?

If it is the USB to mount as a filesystem, then what he is doing is modifying the USB's files. Won't that cause any problems ?

**Browser_ice** · Feb 22, 2009, 01:07 PM

Re: If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

I did that last procedure.

Result:
- Booting with the CD but winding up in initramfs with lots of errors. So CD files are possibly wrong.
- If I try to boot with the USB on a BIOS USB enabled PC, I wind up with a Grub error 17

So my USB Kubuntu that was booting before is now defective.

Why can't they release a CD image to boot a USB Kubuntu at every Kubuntu release

It would save us a lot of pain !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Been on this for 3 days now.

I have to redo my USB Kubuntu installation. I might simply give up on the USB CD boot but if I ever wind up in an office with a non BIOS USB Boot enabled PC, then I'm screwed !

**Qqmike** · Feb 22, 2009, 01:29 PM

Re: If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

Yeah, just use usb-creator:

Build a LIVE Kubuntu Flash Drive
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...089474.new#new
with persistence
=> Reply #1: usb-creator program (8.04 & 8.10)

I don't know a thing about the USB-CD boots, but would imagine them to be buggy.
Also, do not try to put 8.04 on a flash drive UNLESS (possibly) you use the new version released yesterday: 8.04.2:
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde....msg170446#new

You can put 8.10 on a flash drive, but then what do you have exactly? It too is buggy, and without updates it might be a mess.

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If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

If kernel changes on USB Kubuntu, then change the USB CD boot too ?

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