How to create a EeePCLinuxOS LiveUSB with VirtualBox

I was having all types of trouble trying to create a bootable CD from the eeePCLinuxOS iso file, so I decided to try installing from the iso directly to a USB flash drive. I am running a Windows Vista PC and decided I would try using VirtualBox to boot the iso and attach the USB drive. This also helps everyone by not creating an additional CD that will shortly end in the trash.

What you will need.

VirtualBox
eeePCLinuxOS ISO

Once you have installed VirtualBox, you are ready to create a new virtual machine.

You need to give the VM a name. I like to name mine according to the OS that is being installed. You can use any name you would like, just remember to make it unique.

At the next step, you will need to define the amount of RAM you would like to use. I changed mine from the default 256 to 1024, which is 1gig of memory.

If you want to install to a virtual hard drive, you will need to add a new hard drive or use and existing one. I didn’t create one as I only want to be able to create a LiveUSB flash drive.

This will bring you to the final summary of the VM you are creating. This is not the final step though, you still need to point the VM to the ISO file and enable USB in the VM.

Once you have been returned to the main VirtualBox screen, select the new VM and click the Settings button. From there select the CD/DVD ROM option and select to Mount CD/DVD Drive and use the ISO option. Browse to the eeePCLinuxOS ISO file you downloaded earlier.

You will need to insure that you have enabled USB support or none of the following steps will work. If you select the little USB plug on the right hand side, the one with the little green (+)plus sign. This will allow you to select the USB device to use.

The rest of the install has already been covered in other places, but I will show some screenshots to help you along the way.

Since we are installing to the USB device, be sure NOT to select the Solid State Device. You will use this later to install to the Eee.

When prompted for the installation drive, you may only have one option. If you have multiple options, ensure that you select the USB drive you want to use for eeePCLinuxOS.

You can select whatever option you would like. I had a flash drive I was using only for installing different distros to my Eee. Therefore, I erased the content of the drive.

I left out a number of steps but once you have completed the install, you should have a bootable USB flash drive.