I have honestly tried to find a straight up answer to this.

Can someone give me a quick definition / function of Live and Persistence. I understand that Persistence is Live + ability to update OS and add programs to the USB. How small a bucket can this directory of persistence be?

On another note - can I run a Linux boot USB/disk to start Win7 iso or zip?

Thanks

A cd operates in ram only and when you shut it down all changes are lost. In the other set up a file is used to track changes add on etc like a full install would and the next time you use it the changes are still there. operating from a cd won't work this way but adding persistence to a flash drive will and both are still live and not using the PC HD

I think windows must be installed but maybe is some form out there.

What is the goal

maybe some vm or virtualbox is what you need.

Edited May 5, 201115 yr by RKASA

you can run a 'live cd' of windoze XP using UBCD4win - http://www.ubcd4win.com/ and you can multiboot that image with other linux distros using YUMI http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/ but as far as i know no one has worked out a live bootable medium for win7 yet. I still use UBCD4win all the time though, it is a great tool for fixing windoze boxes that won't boot, and includes antivirus, antispyware and all sorts of other fantastic tools. it is like the knoppix of the M$ world. as for the subject of persistence in general, pendrivelinux is maybe the best single resource available, there is a good overview @ http://www.pendrivelinux.com/what-is-persistent-linux/

k

Thanks to you both.

So as I thought...Live = runs in RAM. Persistence = adds space/bucket to make changes in OS. I've made a 2gb flash drive w/ Mint10 and 150mb bucket for persistence -and put the linux os zip on it as well. It runs and gives me many boot options.

I want to make a usb that I can boot and install W7. I don't have minimal XP/NT/98 files. They always call for the disks. I don't know why it is such grief for Microsoft to put out minimum OS software to get computers up and running.

It was recommended to have 300MB

Thanks to you both.

I want to make a usb that I can boot and install W7. I don't have minimal XP/NT/98 files. They always call for the disks. I don't know why it is such grief for Microsoft to put out minimum OS software to get computers up and running.

http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-install-windows-7vista-from-usb-drive-detailed-100-working-guide/