Use dd or Ghost to make an image file of my USB?

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quirkian2new
Posts: 152
Joined: Tue 06 Oct 2015, 14:10
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Use dd or Ghost to make an image file of my USB?

#1 Post by quirkian2new »

I have a 2gb multi-bootable usb stick(bios and uefi) created by using the freeware linuxlive usb creator(win32) . I added some files to it and it is still bootable.

Now my objective is : i want to clone this 2gb usb stick to an image file for future use. In the future, i can open this image file and add/delete/modify some files in it ( in windows using ghost-explorer and in linux i think it may probably is "mount -o loop [source] [/mnt/directory]" ).

And one day if this 2gb usb stick is physically damaged or lost, i can clone this image file back onto another usb stick(which must be 4gb, 8gb or 16gb etc) and this new usb stick MUST be bootable exactly as the 2gb stick.

I have previous experience using ghost(win32) cloning my winxp HD partition (on which my kid always installs lots of rubbish/viruses)

I have also read some notes on the linux dd command(but never actually use this command before to create an image file)

Now my question is :
can linux dd do the job ? it seems ghost (win32) can do the job
which method best suits my needs ? Or is there any other methods ?
pros and cons for each method
what is the exact command for linux command line dd (as there is no gui as ghost)
is there any gui version for dd ?

i've heard of a linux distro clonzilla or something like that , but if dd can do the job why bother install /download another distro.

thanks in advance

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ETP
Posts: 1193
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Location: UK

#2 Post by ETP »

Hi quirkian2new,

The best method for the task you have in mind given that you have access to Windows is to use Win32diskimager.
It is the simplest method, reliable and hard to mess up.
Details plus a download link can be found here:

http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic. ... 808#765457

1. If used to clone a 2GB stick start by inserting in the GUI the image path & name: eg D:\somename.img

2. Select the correct drive. (Tip: just have a single removable storage device plugged in to avoid confusion)

3. Click on read.

4. Take the dog for a short walk.
Regards ETP
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quirkian2new
Posts: 152
Joined: Tue 06 Oct 2015, 14:10
Location: on the inter-planet train

#3 Post by quirkian2new »

Thanks ETP for your response.

But one of my major objective is to directly edit this image file in the future, that is, open this image file and add/delete/modify some files in it and then write this modified image file to other new usb sticks ( which surely exceed 2gb as newer usb sticks' capacity is larger and 2gb ones are no longer produced). So that i can write as much sticks as i wish and distribute to my friends.

can Win32diskimager do the job of editing this image file. Or if any software do this editing.

By using ghost32, the resulting *.gho file can be opened and edited(add or delete files) by the ghost-explorer.

thanks again.

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ETP
Posts: 1193
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Location: UK

#4 Post by ETP »

quirkian2new wrote:Thanks ETP for your response.

But one of my major objective is to directly edit this image file in the future, that is, open this image file and add/delete/modify some files in it and then write this modified image file to other new usb sticks ( which surely exceed 2gb as newer usb sticks' capacity is larger and 2gb ones are no longer produced). So that i can write as much sticks as i wish and distribute to my friends.

can Win32diskimager do the job of editing this image file. Or if any software do this editing.

By using ghost32, the resulting *.gho file can be opened and edited(add or delete files) by the ghost-explorer.

thanks again.
I am not aware of any way of editing a .img file which is a block by block clone of the stick.
If you wish to add/delete/modify files you need to do that on the stick itself and then clone it again
after you have made the changes. Keep the original clone1.img as a fallback and create a new clone2.img.
Regards ETP
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glene77is
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#5 Post by glene77is »

You wrote :
""" I am not aware of any way of editing a .img file
which is a block by block clone of the stick. """

To which I thought :
Why not simply make a copy of your UserSaveFile .
That is all you need to restore a Puppy Linux system.
If the system files do not copy ( generating minor error message)
no problem, when you reboot into this backup SaveFile
then the Puppy Linux system files will restore anything it needs .
This is my normal , day-to-day method of backup.
I use this method on Lucid, Slacko, Tahr, Xenial, Artful.

At any time, you can copy an old UserSaveFile-1 into place,
right alongside a currently active UserSaveFile-2 ,
in the same /puppy subdirectory,
then open it and make mods
( if you know what you are doing !) .

Then you can reboot,
Puppy will find two UserSaveFiles and offer you a list.
You then select your old UserSaveFile #1 ,
and forget about your UserSaveFile #2 .

I have been opening my current UserSaveFile , for years,
EVEN while it is active,
and making certain mods on the live-system.
I do not recommend modding on a live system
unless you are well practiced in this technique,

I am just saying that the
UserSaveFile is a very handy way of handling backup,
and re-modeling copies of them
for restoration or developmental purposes.



Barry Kauler implemented a superb method
for containing all the User Files.

Puppy Linux is more fun than a barrel of M$ monkeys :P
www.geocities.WS/glene77is
glene77is --- {^,^} --- electricity is shocking, Memphis, TN, USA.

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