Howto HDD installation on a USB key

[Quest]

This, to install Kali Linux on a USB key(pendrive) just like on a hard disk drive(HDD). This installation permits for core files to be updated, such as drivers. If you do not need to update core files, keep using the standard LiveUSB method. This will be a work in progress as new and better ways will surface with users input/pointers.

Updated 12 Feb 2015. Now using the 'Graphical Install' from the Kali boot menu.

Updated 5 July 2014. Now using ext4 non-journaling filesystem..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ext2
" ext2 is still the filesystem of choice for flash-based storage media (such as SD cards, and USB flash drives), since its lack of a journal increases performance and minimizes the number of writes, and flash devices have a limited number of write cycles. Recent kernels, however, support a journal-less mode of ext4, which would offer the same benefit, along with a number of ext4-specific benefits. "

Steps 21-32 added to disable journaling on ext4 partition.

This installation method requires to physically unplug the hard disk drive(HDD) before the installation process, as I could not find a way to prevent GRUB(or the installation program) from writing on HDD boot sector, making my Windows installation dependent on the newly created Kali USB key to start it, and when I fixed the boot sector with the Windows7 installation disk with 'fixmbr', then Kali wouldn’t start on that USB key. Welcome to the Wonderful world of Linux...

The second post below, is a straight-to-the-point guide. You might want to refer to the official Kali Linux Hard Disk Install also, as it is for the most part the same procedure.

For this installation you will need:

Two(2) USB keys(pendrives). One (USB key A) with KaliLinux already installed on it as a normal LiveUSB, the other one (USB key B) empty, formatted as:

• The first partition is a Primary, FAT32, to permit usage under Windows. If you do not intend on using that USB key in Windows, you do not need to create a FAT32 partition.
• The second partition is a Primary, Ext4, to install Kali on. A basic installation without updates is about 8Gb, so 14Gb in size or greater is recommended to allow for updates and software installations.
• The third partition is a Logical, Linux swap. That last partition(Linux swap) must be equal or greater than the amount of RAM on the system(computer).

*a 32Gb USB 3.0 pendrive comes to mind here*



Good luck!