Legit Reviews

Looking to make a USB drive a swiss army knife virus cleaner.

Is it possible to install a Linux distro to a USB drive, then something like Avast? Wanting something I can stick in any PC boot to the drive and scan the PC, but still be able to update the software with out having to rebuild a live CD/DVD every time I need to update the anti virus.

Sure, download unetbootin, install Ubuntu and install ClamAV in Ubuntu

Ubuntu would take up too much space imo and is resource hungry, especially when using it on older hardware (Iwho needs compiz on a usb key )

You could try BartPE and use the various plugins instead.
Another option is PloPLinux
it has AVAST and F-Secure AV software included.
http://www.plop.at/en/ploplinux.html

turnsoutitwas wrote:Ubuntu would take up too much space imo and is resource hungry, especially when using it on older hardware (Iwho needs compiz on a usb key )

You could try BartPE and use the various plugins instead.
Another option is PloPLinux
it has AVAST and F-Secure AV software included.
http://www.plop.at/en/ploplinux.html

hence you would use server variant

Think I will go the unetbootin/Ubuntu route. Looks easier to do after looking through the steps for the ploplinux. sue me I'm lazy LOL

I tried this way earlier and I can't get the f'n thing to connect to a network. Tried it on 3 machines, just won't do it.

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/usb-kubunt ... g-windows/

Ok that worked with the unetbootin/Ubuntu. Making this post with it now.

Thanks for the help

No problem, I love unetbootin, works wonders when you only have a USB and no Optical

This is got me thinking about moving to linux again. Its working faster then my XP box here at work and that is with it on the USB...

we are here to help when you do

well crud...

went through got avast on the system and updated, Ubuntu updated everything, restarted for the updates... none of the changes where there

Is there a way to make it persistent or do I have to start over?

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/usb-ubuntu ... e-live-cd/

Never done a persistent install myself

i guess im a little late but you might want to try damn small linux

Since I have to redo the updates and all, I used this one

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/live-ubunt ... l-windows/

Was nice and easy, took longer to download the ISO all of 5 mins after the ISO was downloaded.

Worked too, Updated and running. Speed of the drive has a LOT to do with it. My 16gb drive locked up to much, my 2gb was faster but didn't have the breathing room for updates. I have it running on my 8gb drive, can mount and scan NTFS drives. Goal accomplished, will be putting it to use tomorrow on a wide rage of PCs and laptops of varying age.

Put it on my laptop on a USB1 port... painful... gave up after watching it try to boot after 15mins.

If it doesn't work out tomorrow I'll try the D.S.Linux

For diagnostic thumb drives I still like Knoppix as it is specifically designed to be mobile and also has loads of tools on it.

Knoppix: The "Leatherman" For PCs
The Lazy Guide to Installing Knoppix on a USB Key