Fastest way to install on usb pendrive?

[eleius]

Hi. I wanted to ask what is the fastest way to install EndeavourOS on a usb pen drive, from linux or from windows is also ok. It should run on both legacy & UEFI computers if possible (but not UEFI only, as older computers need legacy mode.)

I’ve found this long tutorial written by a forum member. I was wondering if all those steps are still required?

Thanks in advance

[mrvictory]

Is legacy mode only fine? Most computers made before 2020 support legacy boot but recent ones can’t legacy boot.
BIOS/MBR + UEFI/MBR is possible but a bit hard.

[eleius]

If legacy + uefi is not viable then I’d rather have legacy mode only, as most computers around are not that new (I want to use the usb drive at work, on different computers)

[pebcak]

I would use a Live USB with EndeavourOS on.

Boot it up in Legacy/CSM mode.

Plug in the USB drive you want to install EnOS on.

Start the installer and make a “erase and install” installation in MBR mode onto the connected USB drive.

Choose the MBR of the connected drive as the location for installation of the bootloader.

@eleius

(I want to use the usb drive at work, on different computers

This could be a bit tricky if those are using different CPUs and/or GPUs, as far as I know, needing different microcodes and drivers (proprietaries for nvidia cards for example) etc.

[eleius]

Thanks for your reply

This could be a bit tricky if those are using different CPUs and/or GPUs, as far as I know, needing different microcodes and drivers (proprietaries for nvidia cards for example) etc.

Years ago I installed a linux distro on an usb hdd, it simply worked, no fancy nvidia stuff but the integrated gfx and networking seemed to work. Not sure about wifi (firmware) but I hope the basic stuff works.

[lorebett]

@eleius

I’ve found this long tutorial written by a forum member. I was wondering if all those steps are still required?

In that post you’ll find a link to an older post for legacy boot. Please keep in mind that newer computers (like my LG gram) do not allow legacy boot at all, that’s why I wrote that newer post.

[eleius]

@lorebett

Please keep in mind that newer computers (like my LG gram) do not allow legacy boot at all, that’s why I wrote that newer post.

Thanks for your guides. I wish it was possible to make it work on all computers, but it seems it’s legacy or uefi, not both, so I’ll have to choose legacy to make sure it works on the older ones.

[lorebett]

Not necessarily: the LG gram is the only one I had problems with legacy boot. Dell computers were able to boot in legacy mode USB systems. So you might want to check that and go on with legacy boot: it might be enough for your use cases and for sure it’s an easier solution.