how to make usb linux live

Download LinuxLive USB Creator if not already done and install it.
Start LinuxLive USB Creator from your Start Menu -> All Programs -> LinuxLive USB Creator.is
Creating a Linux Live USB key is then a five easy steps process:

• step 1: choose a USB key or drive in the list
• step 2: select an ISO file or a CD
• step 3: choose the size of persistent data (usually between 250 MB and 2 GB)
• step 4: check the options you want
• step 5: click the lightning button to start the creation

Moreover, each mandatory step (1, 2 and 3) has a traffic light to indicate its state:

• Red light: the step has not been carried out correctly, you cannot start creating a Live USB key
• Orange light: there is a non blocking problem during this step, you can still start the creation
• Green light: everything is fine

All you have to do in this first step is choosing your USB device (drive or key) on which you want to create a Linux Live USB key.

Requirements are:

• a USB device with a FAT32 or FAT partition *
• usually 810 MB of free space (but depends on what Linux you install) **

* If your USB device is not in FAT32 or FAT, you will be asked to check the option "Format in FAT32" in step 4. Be aware that this option will erase the data on you USB key.
** If you don't have enough space, free some space or choose "Format in FAT32" in the options (step 4)

Select an ISO file, CD or folder containing the extracted LinuxLive ISO's files. If you don't have any ISO or do not know what to install, use the Download button and select a Linux distribution (Ubuntu is a good choice to begin).

It is VERY important to read the Support matrix page for a list of currently supported Linux Distributions.

LinuxLive USB Creator does not support Multi-Boot (multiple Linux distros) on the same USB key: Can I use LiLi to create a Multi-Boot live USB key ?

In this step, you have to choose the size of the persistent data that could be stored.

This feature is currently not working when using VirtualBox in Windows 7 / Vista.

Before going further, I recommend you to read these questions in the FAQ:

What is persistence?

Usually, on a live CD or Live USB key, all modifications are discarded when you reboot.

The persistence allows you to keep your preferences and data even after reboot.

The data are stored in a special file called casper-rw (for Ubuntu) and overlay-USBLABEL-UUID (for Fedora). This is a completely transparent process for the user.

 Usually, 300 MB are enough to install some software but you can use more.

What can I do and not do on a persistent system?

You have to keep in mind that a persistent system is a Live system on which there is an overlay that is writable.
This means that core files are in read-only mode while other files are in read/write mode.
What you cannot do on a persistent system:

• updates core files (kernel, etc...) = no full system updates
• install drivers

What you can do on this kind of system :

• install some software
• do some software updates
• create some files/folders
• install Linux (from you USB key) on your PC's hard drive

Why can't I have more than 4GB of persistent data with LiLi?

This is a limitation of the FAT32 filesystem. When a drive is formated using FAT32, the biggest file that can be created is 4GB. Persistence is a file so it follows this rule.
There is a way to have a persistence larger than 4 GB.

If you don't know how much to give to persistent data, give between 300 MB and 500 MB. If you intend to make an heavy usage of your Linux, choose more than 1 GB.

Selecting 0 MB means no persistence, only live mode. Any change made in your Linux will be lost on reboot.

Be warned that you must not do system updates. 

If you don't have enough space, select the "Format" option in step 4.
Step 4 is optional. The 3 options are:
Enable launching LinuxLive in Windows (= Virtualization):

This is the most important option. It allows you to launch a LinuxLive directly in any Windows without any configuration nor software installation on your hard drive. No other Creator offers this exclusive feature.

LinuxLive USB Creator made it possible with a special homemade version of the famous virtualization software VirtualBox. It will download this portable version on your USB key (no installation) and will set it automatically for you. If you don't know what virtualization is, then read the What is virtualization? article of the FAQ.

To launch your LinuxLive in Windows, just run Virtualize_This_Key.exe * located in the VirtualBox folder on your USB key.

* Be aware that you need local administrator's privileges in order to launch VirtualBox.

Hide created files on the USB key:

This will just hide the files created on the USB key. The files will be invisible only in Windows because of attributes S (system) and H (hidden). To see the files, go in Folder Options -> View -> Advanced settings and check Show hidden files and folders.
This option is quite useful because many files will be created on your USB key.
Format the USB key in FAT32:
Use this option if your USB key is using NTFS, if you need more space or if you want to clean your USB key.
Please close any window / program using the USB key. This includes Explorer windows opened on your USB key.

All you have to do is to click on the lightning button to start the creation.
How long to create a LinuxLive USB Key?
Here are the steps followed to create the LinuxLive USB key and estimated times:

• Formatting the USB key (if option checked) (1 min.)
• Cleaning previous install (< 1 min.)
• Downloading VirtualBox as a background task * (5 - 10 min. but in the background)
• Copying source files to the USB key (5 - 10 min.)
• Renaming some files (< 1 min.)
• Hiding files (if option checked) (< 1 min.)
• Creating the persistence file (1 min. per 100 MB)
• Formating the persistence file (1 - 5 min.)
• Installing boot sector (< 1 min.)
• Uncompressing and installing VirtualBox on the USB key (3 - 7 min.)

* If you use a proxy, please be sure that Internet Explorer has an Internet access because LinuxLive USB Creator uses its configuration.

Once your USB key is ready, go on to the next step.
Your LinuxLive USB key should now be ready! Thank you for using LinuxLive USB Creator.
Don't forget to share LiLi with your friends if you liked it :-)

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Before going any further, properly unplug your USB device then reconnect it. This will force Windows to check the autorun of the key and update the icon.
You now have two possibilities: the first one is to boot your Linux directly in Windows (=virtualization), the second one being to boot your PC from your LinuxLive USB key.

In both methods, it is exactly the same Linux that is booted. It will load the same persistent data (if any).

Using your LinuxLive USB key directly within windows:

Open your USB key in Windows Explorer. You should see a folder called VirtualBox. It contains two executable files:

• Virtualize_This_Key.exe: will directly launch your Linux in Windows (inside VirtualBox)
• VirtualBox.exe: will launch the full VirtualBox interface

Be aware that persistence should NOT be used in VirtualBox.

Booting your PC from your LinuxLive USB key:

Shutdown Windows and insert your USB key in one of your PC's USB port (preferably a rear one for a desktop PC).
Power on your PC and quickly press the corresponding keyboard key to access the BIOS. Each BIOS has its own menu so this explanation is generic:
Find the boot menu and put USB devices before Hard drives/CD for the boot order. If you don't have any USB option it may mean that your PC is not able to boot from USB.
Save and exit the BIOS.
For recent PCs, directly hit the boot menu key (F8, F11, F12 depending on the PC) from the boot screen instead and select your USB device there.
Your LinuxLive USB key menu should appear (options may vary):

• Persistent Mode (your data will be persistent)
• Live Mode (all your data will be discarded after reboot)
• Install (to install Linux on your hard drive)

Usually, you will boot with Persistent Mode by default.

source: www.linuxliveusb.com