Install RPi on USB key

Hello, I will recieve my RPi soon, but I've realized I have only a 1Gb SD Card, what is the minimum sd card size for Arch Linux or Debian?

And can I install these on a USB key, how to say a the RPi 'Start by SD Card'?

THX !

jamodio over 13 years ago

Hmmm, that's an interesting question. I have not tried it yet but I'd guess that is possible to have a boot image on the SD card and mount the root or other file systems from a USB drive.

Will do some research on it.

-J
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fustini over 13 years ago in reply to jamodio

This may be of interest:

http://www.bootc.net/archives/2012/05/31/slightly-updated-rpi-kernel/
The USB code is now built-in instead of being a module. This means that people who want to keep their root filesystem on a USB hard disk or similar can do so.

There is an image offered with the updated kernel:

http://www.bootc.net/archives/2012/07/01/updated-debian-wheezy-image/
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Former Member over 13 years ago

SD cards are very cheap, though - an ample 4Gb card can be had for £2 from Amazon, if you got several then you can easily swap between e.g. Debian, XBMC, RiscOS just by changing cards.
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Nate1616 over 13 years ago in reply to Former Member

Very good point RorshcachUK but most I've found that most of the cheap Cards do not work with the Pi. The pi is very picky in what accesories are being pluged into it. So if you would find one that makes the list of ecceptable cards than thats great.
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recantha over 13 years ago

I've wasted a good 30 work hours trying to get the Pi booting from a USB stick. All I can say is: It just ain't worth it! Buy a 16GB card and learn how to resize the partition using a gparted live boot image. It'll save you tearing your hair out.
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