09/15/23 A new installation method

Following a request from Anon1789, here's an installation method for creating a USB stick from Linux that boot into BIOS and UEFI and can be easily modified.

Porteus modules can be updated/moved/deleted, and everything can be customized. The key is in FAT32 and it's possible to add another exFAT partition, for example, to store large files. More detailed documentation will be provided in due course.

In the example, the USB key is in /dev/sdb and we give it the name PHOENIX.
The key is mounted in /media/julien/PHOENIX

Warning: all the contents of the USB key will be DELETED. Make a BACKUP of your key before any manipulation.

On GParted, select your USB key (it can be recognized by its size) and note the corresponding device name (in the example /dev/sdb).
Delete the partition.
Create an MSDOS partition table.
Create a FAT32 partition with the label PHOENIX

Copy the contents of the ISO to the root of the key.

On the root key, modify the files by replacing Ikki_Boot with the key name (here PHOENIX) in the SystemRescue conf files.

chmod +w /media/julien/PHOENIX/boot/grub/grubsrcd.cfg 
chmod +w /media/julien/PHOENIX/sysresccd/boot/syslinux/sysresccd_pxe.cfg 
chmod +w /media/julien/PHOENIX/sysresccd/boot/syslinux/sysresccd_sys.cfg
sed -i s/Ikki_Boot/PHOENIX/g /media/julien/PHOENIX/boot/grub/grubsrcd.cfg
sed -i s/Ikki_Boot/PHOENIX/g /media/julien/PHOENIX/sysresccd/boot/syslinux/sysresccd_pxe.cfg
sed -i s/Ikki_Boot/PHOENIX/g /media/julien/PHOENIX/sysresccd/boot/syslinux/sysresccd_sys.cfg

Copy the /media/julien/PHOENIX/script/syslinux/linux directory into your /home folder.

Umount the USB key.

Warning: /dev/sdb is an example. If you don't specify the name of your device, your hard disk may be erased.

Check twice before entering the commands below.

As root write the MBR of Syslinux :

dd conv=notrunc bs=440 count=1 if=/home/julien/linux/mbr.bin of=/dev/sdb

As root install Syslinux :

/home/julien/linux/syslinux --directory /boot/syslinux/ --install /dev/sdb1

If the message:"No such file or directory" appears when executing syslinux.
You need to install the libc6-i386 package.
Example under Debian:

apt install libc6-i386

On Gparted, set boot flag on partition.

You can now reboot your PC and choose your USB flash drive as the boot device.

07/01/23 Version 23.07

  • Porteus :

    • update :

      • clamav 1.0.1
      • gnumeric 1.12.55
      • hypnotix 3.4
      • mkusb 23.1.1
      • noscript 11.4.24
      • partclone 0.3.23
      • timeshift 23.06.2
      • ublock origin 1.50.0

    • add :

      • asciinema 2.2.0
      • ghex 3.18.4 (replace nchexedit)
      • gnome-multi-writer 3.35.90
      • tilix 1.9.5 (replace zellij)

    • add in extra directory :

      • aircrack-ng 1.7
      • fsarchiver 0.8.7

On Porteus add shortcuts to download and install :

  • Borg
  • Rclone
  • SeaMonkey
  • Tor Browser

The next version will be released in 2024.

06/16/23 Version 23.06

  • update SystemRescue 10.01

  • Porteus :

    • update :

      • broot 1.22.1
      • czkawka 6.0.0
      • firefox 102.12.0esr
      • keepassxc 2.7.5
      • nvim 0.9.1
      • zellij 0.36.0

    • add :

      • axel 2.17.11
      • ddrescueview 0.4.5
      • macchanger 1.7.0

    • add to extra directory :

      • shellcheck 0.9.0
      • xorriso 1.5.4

On Porteus, add shortcuts:

  • "Set DNS" lets you use a DNS provider other than your internet service provider.
  • "New MAC" sets a random MAC address for a network interface.
  • "Disable / Enable network" to disable or enable the network.
  • "Firefox with Firejail and NoScript" to launch Firefox with Firejail and the NoScript extension.
  • "Axel downloader" (down arrow next to the time), to download a file with Axel, the script retrieves the URL (http/https) present in the clipboard and asks for the location to save the file. On the second run, it automatically downloads to the previous directory.

05/14/23 Version 23.05

  • update Clonezilla 3.1.0-22-amd64
  • update Memtest86+ 6.20

  • Porteus :

    • update :

      • firefox 102.11.0esr
      • ublock origin 1.49.2

    • add :

      • mat2 0.13.3

    • add extra directory

      • dc3dd 7.2.646
      • mkdocs 1.4.3
      • noscript 11.4.21 (firefox)
      • multi-account containers 8.1.2 (firefox)

On Porteus a right click on a file gives the following possibilities:

  • Checksum : launches gtkhash with the name of the file as parameter.
  • Shred securely : launches a script that does a "shred -zn 7" on the file.
  • Clear metadata : launch mat2 with the file name as parameter.

The contents of the extra directory contain additional modules for Porteus that are not loaded when Ikki Boot starts. A double click is enough to activate them.

You can find additional modules for Porteus on Sourceforge.

04/13/23 version 23.04

  • Porteus :

    • update :

      • claws-mail 4.1.1
      • czkawka 5.1.0
      • drawing 1.0.2
      • ddrescue 1.27
      • firefox 102.10.0esr
      • gftp 2.9.1b
      • gsmartcontrol 1.14
      • hexchat 2.16.1
      • lshw 2.19
      • nvim 0.9.0
      • putty 0.78
      • tiddlywiki 5.2.7
      • ublock origin 1.48.4
      • zellij 0.35.2

    • add :

      • boot-repair 4ppa2056
      • glances 3.3.1
      • nano 7.2
      • nethogs 0.8.7
      • ps_mem 3.14

03/29/23 version 23.03

  • update SystemRescue 10.00
  • update Memtest86+ 6.10
  • update GParted 1.5.0-1-amd64
  • update Clonezilla 3.0.3-22-amd64

  • Porteus :

    • update :

      • firefox 102.9.0esr
      • ksnip 1.10.1

    • add :

      • curtail 1.3.1
      • handbrake 1.5.1
      • neovim 0.8.3 (replace vim)
      • broot 1.20.2
      • timeshift 22.11.2
      • chkrootkit 0.57
      • zellij 0.35

yt-dlp has been replaced by a script that download the latest version automatically.

The scripts create_seamonkey_xzm.sh and create_thunderbird_xzm.sh have been added to Porteus to create the modules for these two programs.

You can find additional modules for Porteus at Sourceforge.

02/02/23 version 23.02

  • update ShredOS v2021.08.2_23_x86-64_0.34

  • Porteus :

    • update :

      • firefox 102.7.0esr
      • yt-dlp 2023.01.06

    • add :

      • apart-gtk 0.26
      • bleachbit 4.4.2
      • catfish 4.16.3
      • chroot-rescue 1.07
      • clamav 0.105.0
      • czkawka 5.0.2
      • drawing 0.8.5
      • efibootmgr 18
      • exiv2 0.27.5
      • gmeasures 0.7
      • gnome-nettool 42
      • gpick 0.2.6
      • gpodder 3.10.17
      • grsync 1.3.0
      • homebank 4.6.3
      • hypnotix 3.2
      • inkcape lite 0.36
      • isomaster 1.3.16
      • ksnip 1.10
      • mcomix 2.1.0
      • nmap 7.93
      • otpclient 3.1.1
      • partclone 0.3.22
      • poor man's radio player
      • putty 0.77
      • qrscan 0.1.7
      • simplescreenrecorder 0.4.2
      • spice-up 1.9.1
      • streamtuner2 2.2.1
      • tcpdump 4.99.3
      • tldr 3.1.0
      • uget 2.2.3
      • vim 9.0.0814
      • xkill 1.0.5

01/04/2023 version 23.01

  • update Memtest86+ 6.01
  • update SystemRescue 9.06

  • Porteus :

    • creation, update and optimization of modules (38 modules)
    • creation of a script for rclone create_rclone_xzm
    • update of the scripts create_firefox_xzm and create_git_xzm
    • created a script to change the keyboard layout and added a shortcut on the desktop
    • creation of a script to set the time and added of a shortcut on the desktop
    • activation of the firewall at startup

    • list of software :

      • abiword 3.0.5
      • asunder 2.9.7
      • audacity 3.2.2
      • avidemux 2.8.1
      • chntpw 140201
      • clamtk 6.10
      • claws mail 4.1.0
      • ddrescue 1.26
      • deja dup 42.9
      • duplicity 0.8.17
      • easytag 2.4.3
      • firefox 102.6.0esr
      • florence 0.6.3
      • geany 1.38
      • gftp 2.8.0b
      • gimp 2.10.30
      • gnumeric 1.12.51
      • gsmartcontrol 1.0.1
      • gtkhash 1.2
      • guymager 0.8.13-1
      • hardinfo 0.6
      • hexchat 2.16.0
      • htop 3.1.2
      • keepassxc 2.7.4
      • lshw 2.18
      • magnus 1.2.0.3
      • meld 3.20.4
      • mkusb 22.1.2
      • mtpaint 3.50
      • nchexedit 0.9.7
      • nwipe 0.34
      • pdf arranger 1.8.2
      • qdirstat 1.8.1
      • spacefm 1.0.6
      • testdisk 7.2
      • tiddlywiki 5.2.5
      • veracrypt 1.25.9
      • xfburn 0.6.2
      • yt-dlp 2023.01.02

Additional modules for Porteus are available for download at SourceForge. (libreoffice, git, thunderbird, vscodium etc ...)

If needed, the following scripts can be executed from Porteus :

  • create_firefox_xzm.sh
  • create_git_xzm.sh
  • create_mangal_xzm.sh
  • create_rclone_xzm.sh
  • create_yt-dlp_xzm.sh

Scripts allow you to have the latest version of a software, to create the corresponding module in /home/guest/Downloads and activate it automatically.

12/08/2022 version 22.12

  • update Memtest86+ 6.00
  • update SystemRescue 9.05
  • update Clonezilla 3.0.2-21-amd64
  • update GParted 1.4.0-6-amd64
  • Rescatux has been removed
  • Offline NT password has been removed (it's present in SystemRescue and Porteus)
  • TestDisk has been removed (it's present in SystemRescue, Porteus and GParted)
  • creation and update of Porteus modules

  • Porteus modules loaded by default :

    • abiword-3.0.5-gnumeric-1.12.50.x86_64
    • chntpw-140201.x86_64
    • geany-1.38.x86_64
    • grsync-1.3.0.x86_64
    • hardinfo-0.6.x86_64
    • keepassxc-2.7.3-qdirstat-1.8.1.x86_64
    • lshw-2.18.x86_64
    • mozilla-firefox-102.5.0esr-x86_64-1_slack15.0
    • mtpaint-3.50.x86_64
    • nwipe-0.34.x86_64
    • testdisk-7.2.x86_64
    • veracrypt-1.25.9.x86_64
    • settings (enable numeric keypad, change wallpaper, allow sudo without password for guest account, change shortcuts to launch with sudo, add shortcuts on desktop, disables the screen sleep mode)
    • mozilla-firefox-policy-extension (add Ublock Origin extension, change home page, disable welcome page, disable telemetry, delete data on closing, change default search engine etc...)

  • Porteus optional modules to be activated manually as needed :

    • ddrescue-1.26.x86_64
    • gftp-2.8.0b-x86_64
    • gimp-2.10.30.x86_64
    • git-2.35.5-x86_64-1_slack15.0
    • mangal-4.0.4.x86_64
    • nmap-7.93.x86_64
    • vim-9.0.0814-x86_64
    • vscodium-1.73.1.22314.x86_64
    • yt-dlp-2022.11.11

To activate a module just go to the root of your Ikki Boot key in the modules directory and double click on a module.

The version number now corresponds to the current year and month.

Bash scripts are available in script/build in the ISO. They contain everything needed to update and create Ikki Boot.

In the script/build/porteus directory in the ISO, scripts to create and activate Porteus modules for Firefox, Git, mangal and yt-dlp are available. They are also available and usable directly in Porteus via a terminal (create_firefox_xzm, create_git_xzm, create_mangal_xzm, create_yt-dlp_xzm). The modules are created in /home/guest/Downloads.

10/27/2022 Porteus modules released

  • Additional modules for Porteus have been created, they are available on SourceForge.
  • From Porteus just double click to activate a module. (root password: toor)
  • You can store these modules on the persistent partition of your USB key Ikki Boot and activate them when needed.

10/18/2022 version 11.0

  • add Porteus 5.0
  • add ShredOS v2021.08.2_21_x86-64_0.32.023
  • Darik's Boot and Nuke has been removed
  • SliTaz has been removed
  • Puppy Linux has been removed

  • Creation and adding of the following modules for Porteus XFCE :

    • AbiWord 3.0.5 : word processing program
    • disable_screen_sleep : disable the screen sleep
    • Firefox 102.3.0esr : web browser with Ublock Origin extension
    • Geany 1.38 : programmer's text editor
    • Gnumeric 1.12.50 : spreadsheet program
    • Grsync 1.3.0 : is used to synchronize folders, files and make backups.
    • Hardinfo 0.5.1 : system profiler and benchmark for Linux systems
    • KeePassXC 2.6.6 : password manager
    • mtPaint 3.50 : painting program
    • numlock : activate the numeric keypad at startup
    • shortcut : add shortcuts on the desktop
    • wallpaper : change the wallpaper

The Firefox module was created from the Slackware package.
AbiWord, Geany, Gnumeric, Grsync, Hardinfo, KeePassXC, mtPaint modules were created from RPM files of the OpenSUSE project.
The modules disable_screen_sleep, numlock, shortcut, wallpaper were created from scratch and work only for XFCE.

It is possible to start Porteus without these modules by choosing Always Fresh as startup choice.

In case of Porteus startup problem in UEFI, choose Text Mode as startup choice, connect with the guest/guest account and then launch the GUI with the startx command.

08/13/2022 version 10.3

  • update : SliTaz 5.0-RC4 20220807
  • update : GParted 1.4.0-5-amd64
  • update : Clonezilla 3.0.1-8-amd64
  • update : Rescatux 0.74
  • update : SystemRescueCd-9.04
  • update : Memtest86+ 6.00b3
  • added Memtest86+ launch in UEFI mode
  • SystemRescue starts by default in graphic mode
  • website migration from Sphinx to MkDocs

07/02/2021

  • update of the script Ikki_USB_Creator_en.sh

Via fdisk change partition type to NTFS. Thanks to Bruno J. for pointing out this omission.

05/29/2021 version 10.2

  • update : Grub2 File Manager 7.4.0
  • update : SystemRescue-8.03
  • update : GParted 1.3.0-1-amd64
  • update : Clonezilla 2.7.1-22-amd64
  • update : SliTaz 5.0-RC4 20210509
  • It's now possible to create a persistent partition from Windows (see documentation)

04/25/2021

  • preparation of the 10.2 release
  • update of the Windows documentation for the 10.2 release
  • update the script Ikki_USB_Creator_en.sh

The script tests if the USB key is used and does not perform any action if it is the case

04/08/2021

  • update of the script Ikki_USB_Creator_en.sh

The bash script is now 10 times faster and can be used for other ISO files

12/23/2020 version 10.1

  • add Grub2 File Manager 7.3.3
  • update : SystemRescue-7.01
  • update : Puppy Linux FossaPup64 9.5
  • update : GParted 1.1.0-8-amd64
  • update : Clonezilla 2.7.0-10-amd64
  • update : SliTaz 5.0-RC4 20201220
  • SliTaz now boots in 32-bit BIOS and in 64-bit UEFI
  • added the -s option in the Ikki_USB_Creator_en.sh script in order to be able to reuse the ISO for another USB key

By creating a USB key with a persistent partition (see documentation), you have the possibility to deposit on your Ikki Boot key ISO, IMG, VHD, WIM, EFI files that can then be launched via the Grub2 File Manager tool.

Example: you create your key with the script Ikki_USB_Creator_en.sh, you drop Windows 10 ISO file on the NTFS partition, you boot your Ikki Boot key and there with Grub2 File Manager you can install Windows.

Overview table of starting possibilities

BIOS UEFI UEFI avec Secure Boot
SystemRescue YES YES NO
Rescatux YES YES YES
GParted YES YES YES
Clonezilla YES YES YES
Puppy Linux YES YES NO
SliTaz YES YES* NO
Grub2 File Manager** YES YES NO
Super Grub2 Disk YES YES NO
Outils YES NO NO

* Only on command line
** Only useful with a USB flash drive with a persistent partition

07/04/2020 version 10.0

  • add SystemRescueCd-6.1.5
  • add Rescatux 0.73
  • add Puppy Linux BionicPup64 8.0
  • update : GParted 1.1.0-3-amd64
  • update : Clonezilla 2.6.6-15-amd64
  • update : Slitaz 5.0-RC4 2020628
  • update : TestDisk 7.1
  • update : Memtest86+ 5.31b
  • update : Super Grub2 Disk 2.04s1
  • update Ikki_USB_Creator_en.sh
  • Balder has been removed

Overview table of starting possibilities

BIOS UEFI UEFI avec Secure Boot
SystemRescue YES YES NO
Rescatux YES YES YES*
GParted YES YES YES
Clonezilla YES YES YES
Puppy Linux YES YES NO
SliTaz YES YES* NO
Outils YES NO NO

* Choose Live System amd64
** Only on command line

05/18/2019 version 9.1

  • update : SliTaz 5.0-RC4 20190512 core64
  • update : GParted 0.33.0-2-amd64
  • update : Clonezilla 2.6.1-25-amd64
  • update : Super Grub2 Disk 2.02s10
  • Ikki_USB_Creator_en.sh has been added to the ISO (to create a bootable key with a persistent partition)
  • UEFI is now based on Debian
  • UEFI boot with Secure Boot avaible for GParted and Clonezilla

Overview table of starting possibilities

BIOS UEFI UEFI avec Secure Boot
GParted YES YES YES
Clonezilla YES YES YES
SliTaz YES YES NO
Outils YES NO NO

04/13/2019

  • updating the documentation to use the Ikki_USB_Creator script under Linux

03/24/2019

  • release of the Linux script Ikki_USB_Creator which allows to create a USB key with a persistent partition in NTFS format, which starts in BIOS and UEFI
  • the documentation will be updated soon

image

02/19/2019

  • updating the documentation to create a BIOS and UEFI compatible USB key
  • version 9.1 in preparation

05/28/2018 version 9.1 RC1

  • update : SliTaz 5.0-RC4 20180520 core64
  • update : GParted 0.31.0-1-amd64
  • update : Clonezilla 2.5.5-38-amd64
  • UEFI boot available: UEFI has been tested only on virtual machines your returns are welcome (it's always necessary to disable secure boot)
  • the USB version is included in the ISO, the installation on key can be done via dd under Linux or Win32 Disk Imager under Windows

Example of installation on Linux key (For Expert only, this command erases all data on your USB key, misused it can lead to data loss)

dd if=/home/julien/Ikki_Boot_9.1_RC1.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M

The documentation will be updated when the final version is released

03/18/2018

  • new website created via Sphinx
  • Ikki Boot preparation version 9.1 with UEFI support for SliTaz, GParted and Clonezilla
  • version 9.1 scheduled for April/May

01/27/2018 version 9.0

  • update : GParted 0.30.0-1-i686
  • update : Clonezilla 2.5.2.31-i686
  • update : Super Grub2 Disk 2.02s9
  • GAG has been removed
  • the website has been translated in English

05/30/2016 Version 8.0

  • add GParted 0.26.0-2-i686
  • add TestDisk 7.0
  • update : Clonezilla 2.4.5-23-i686
  • update : Slitaz 5.0-rc3
  • update : Darik's Boot and Nuke 2.3.0
  • update : Super Grub2 Disk 2.00s4
  • update : Syslinux 6.03
  • Puppy Linux has been removed
  • RIPLinux has been removed

History