Is It Wise to Run Arch Linux from a Pen Drive?
Asked by
CuriousCoder92
I'm looking to totally commit to Linux and have a bit of a unique setup. I have 45 GB of free space on my internal disk and a 114 GB pen drive. Here's my plan: 1. I want to dual boot Arch Linux using the available 45 GB, with the pen drive serving as the bootable medium. 2. After I've booted, I'd like to switch things around to have Arch installed on the pen drive and ensure that all vital files, including the Nvidia drivers and Hyperland, are properly set up there. 3. Once I'm satisfied with everything being installed on the pen drive, I plan to completely remove Windows and stick with just Arch Linux. I got some advice saying this could work, but I'd love to hear from anyone with more experience. Is this approach a good idea or should I reconsider?
Answers
I really think this whole plan is overkill. Pen drives aren’t made for constant use like this, and you could easily wear it out fast. Plus, with 45 GB free, you can install Arch directly on your internal disk without any hassle. If you need more space later, just get an external hard drive. Save yourself the trouble and keep it simple!
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Honestly, your plan seems a bit convoluted. If you're thinking of installing Arch to your internal drive and then moving it to a pen drive, that doesn’t really make sense. You have more than enough space on your internal disk to set up Arch along with all necessary drivers. Just go ahead and install it there instead of complicating everything by using a USB.
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I installed Arch Endeavour on a flash drive once, and it kind of worked, but I don't know if you’re aiming to build Arch from the ground up. Just be cautious about the performance limits of running an OS from a USB stick.
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You could accomplish this, but it's a bit tricky. I suggest backing up your partition using a tool like `dd` to avoid losing data. Just remember to ensure the pendrive is writable. But honestly, running an OS off a USB isn’t ideal for performance, and you could run into wear-and-tear issues quickly.
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Answers are reviewed before publication.
LinuxLover88: Yeah, I agree! I’ve heard that you really should have at least 100 GB for a smooth experience with Linux, especially if you’re planning on doing heavier stuff like AI projects.
ArchBuilder77: If you're set on a portable OS, consider using an external SSD instead. They're more reliable than pen drives for running an OS.