Blender Boot Linux OS, How to Boot from USB

Blender Boot is a Ubntu based Linux distribution with a set of some pre-configure Linux most popular software such as Blender , Gimp , etc... and with a nice GUI interface.

Blender boot OS can directly be run from Usb in live mode or either you can install it onto your system internal hard drive/USB drive.
when first time i have create a boot-able Usb for Blender than I face some problems, that's why i am going to post something about this.

INDEX;-
# Popular apps compiled with Blender Boot OS.
# Why Blender is a useful Linux distro.
# How to make a bootable USb for Blender Boot USB. ( manually )
# How to boot Blender Boot OS from a particular sub-directory of USB Drive.
# Booting blender from your system internal hard drive. ( without installing )
# What Problems you can face while you boot Blender OS first time.
# chain-loading blender using grub4dos.



#1. list of popular application with Blender Boot OS.;-
~ Blender
~ Gimp 2.8
~ Drop BOX
~ Ubntu ONE
~ Google Chrome browser
~ PDF reader
~ VLC media player
~ Avidemux video editor
~ and much more.........

#2. Blender boot specially designed for fast rendering if you are going to render your animation movie using Blender.
of-course this OS takes less time for rendering a sample animation movie and works fast.

#3. How to make a boot-able USb for Blender Boot USB. ( manually );-
1. Download Bootice latest version.
2. Download Blender Boot OS. ( http://www.blenderboot.com/ )
or
http://sourceforge.net/projects/blenderboot/

3. format your USB drive as FAT32 file system.
4. copy the content of Blender Boot is to your Usb drive.

<<--  Installing boot-loader and activating USB drive partition. -->>
5. Run Bootice as Admin rights/access.
 process PBR >>  select your USB drive and than Install "SYSLINUX" to your USB drive PBR boot code.

<<-- some editing in BOOT configuration file. -->>
6. copy and paste the file, isolinux.cfg as syslinux.cfg to root of your USB drive.
7. boot your PC / Laptop from USB.
8. Live session login user: live password:(no password)

<< never forget to select XFCE desktop environment before logging into live Blender OS >>>
You have done,,,, now try to boot.

#4. How to boot Blender Boot OS from a particular sub-directory of USB Drive.;-
#5. Booting blender from your system internal hard drive.;-
" if you are going to set-up more than one Linux OS to boot from your system internal hard drive than you want to boot your Linux disro from a particular sub-directory of your system partition."
1. follow the steps same as above up to 6 steps.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

7. we need to add some kernel boot parameters into boot configuration file for PBR boot loader , in this case we are using syslinux therefore we have to edit the syslinux.cfg file.

8. Here we have have to add a kernel boot parameter so that kernel will load the live file system from your defined directory, in this Tutorial I am gong to blender from a directory named as "blender"
so I should use this kernel boot parameter,

live-media-path=/blender/casper/

~ this boot parameter tell to kernel about the sub-directory where live file system files are placed.
~ this boot parameter depends upon the kernel version of Linux you are going to use.(mostly)

9. If you take a look at root tree of Blender Boot OS, than you can see-
|   README.diskdefines
|   md5sum.txt  <<-- rename this file to blender-os ,
|                     this will help us if we are going to boot using Grub4dos -->>
|   ubuntu
+---.disk
|       base_installable
|       cd_type
|       info
|       release_notes_url
+---casper
|       README.diskdefines
|       filesystem.manifest
|       filesystem.manifest-desktop
|       filesystem.size
|       filesystem.squashfs   <<-- live file system for Blender Boot OS -->>
|       initrd.gz             <<-- Initial RAM disk file which will be loaded with Kernel -->>
|       vmlinuz               <<-- Blender Boot OS kernel -->>
|
+---install
|       memtest              <<-- memtest utility -->>
|
+---isolinux
|       boot.cat
|       isolinux.bin
|       isolinux.cfg   <<-- Need to rename this into " syslinux.cfg "
|                          and move to root directory along with "vesamenu.c32" and "splash.png" -->>
|       splash.png
|       vesamenu.c32
|
\---preseed
        custom.seed

10. now syslinux configuration will looks like this;-

label live
  menu label live - boot the Live System
  kernel /blender/casper/vmlinuz
  append  initrd=/blender/casper/initrd.gz live-media-path=/blender/casper/ boot=casper  splash --


11. Save the syslinux.cfg file.
now try to boot.....

#6. What Problems you can face while you boot Blender OS first time.;-
1. First time when you boot blender OS from USB than never forget to select XFCE Desktop Environment and after that you will be able to logging into Blender OS.
2. If you are a Live User than you have to use "live" as user name with no password.
3. If you save your work on to NTFS file system than it will may be corrupt, if you shut down your  PC immediately.
4. So if you want to save your work than use FAT32 file-system.


#7.  chain-loading Blender OS using grub4dos.;-
1. Install Grub4dos to PBR boot codes of your memory device partition using BOOTICE.
2. copy "grldr" file to root of your memory device partition.
3. create a configuration file for Grub4dos, by default name will be "menu.lst"
<< menu.lst  ,not menu.lst.txt >>

4. copy and paste the code;-

title blender boot-user-live with no password\n select the xfce live session on login screen and than use user name as "live" with no password.
find --set-root /blender-os.txt
kernel  /blender/casper/vmlinuz  boot=casper ignore_uuid live-media-path=/blender/casper/ splash --
initrd  /blender/casper/initrd.gz
boot

# I use blender-os.txt file just for ease to make a understandable grub4dos config file, also this is blank text file.. helps when you have a multipart-multiboot usb stick..

5. Join Blender Forum if you like this project...
http://blenderworld.forumotion.com/


enjoy....

Plop a Tiny and very useful bootloader

Plop Boot Manager is a small program to boot different operating systems and for chain-loading other partition boot codes.

By default Plop will shoe you all primary partitions of that disk where you have installed Plop to MBR codes but you can also chain-load extended partitions also.

INDEX:-

# Why use plop?
# some important features.
# which other boot-loader you can chain-load?
# Important main menu Hot-keys.
# How to install Plop to USB ?
# installing plop using Syslinux/Isolinux/Extlinux/Grub4dos/Grub2/DOS/Lilo boot-loaders.
# Chain-loading plop using other boot-loaders.( without installing )
# General terms and definitions.
# How to chain-load operating systems from primary partitions using plop?
# How to chain-load Operating system from Extended partitions using plop?
# How to boot from USB Drive or Flash memory card , if BIOS not support booting from USB?
# some examples.
#>> How to configure windows to boot using plop.

#1. Why use Plop?

-->> plop is very useful and very popular boot loader, if you take a look about its features than i think you will be able to think about, why use Plop. like, plop make possible to boot from network, USB, floppy,even if your BIOS does not gives you this power, and you can add up to 16 boot entries into plop boot menu. so using plop you can customize your MULTIPART-MULTIBOOT USB or you can extend the features of your BIOS.

#2. some important features.


~ USB boot without BIOS support (UHCI, OHCI and EHCI)
~ CD/DVD boot without BIOS support (IDE) , Floppy boot
~ Define up to 16 partitions and 16 boot profiles
~ No extra partition for the boot manager ( as XOSL require one extra primary partition )
~ Hide partitions
~ Password protection for the computer and the boot manager set-up
~ Backup of partition table data
~ changing partition ID
~ Start of the boot manager from hard-disk, floppy, USB, CD, DVD
~ You can run the boot manager over the network
~ you can also customize the boot profiles data. ( boot entries, maximum length is 16 chars.)



#3. which other boot-loader you can chain-load.

-->> you can chain-load any boot loader using plop which are listed below.
LiLo
Syslinux
Grub
Grub4Dos
Grub2
Windows boot.ini ( windows NT/XP )
Windows BCD ( for windows vista/7/8/8.1 )


#4. Important main menu Hot-keys.

Cursor up/down  >> Move the bar
Enter  >> Choose selection
ESC >> Close window
CTRL - ESC  >> Switch to text mode
CTRL - PAGE UP  >> Switch to higher screen resolution
CTRL - PAGE DOWN  >> Switch to lower screen resolution
z   >> Enable/Disable window zoom animation

1-9 >> Boot profile
q >>  Quick boot, open a list of all possible hard-coded partitions to boot
w    >>    Write MBR with the profile settings, but do not boot
f >> Boot floppy
c >> Boot CD/DVD
u >> Boot USB
n >> Network boot ( Pxe booting )



#5.  How to install Plop to USB .

-->> Easiest way to install Plop to your USB Drive or Flash Memory card is, give a try to BOOTICE smart utility. ( free-ware / windows based )

-->> for Linux Users.
1. download ( http://download.plop.at/files/bootmngr/plpbt-5.0.14.zip )
2. extract ZIP archive to any folder.
3. open your Linux konsole and install plop using Linux executable files under the extracted folder.
4. after extracting the files, folder tree will looks like this.

|   1README.TXT
|   licence.txt
|   plpbt.bin
|   plpbt.img
|   plpbt.iso
|   plpbtrom.bin
|
+---doc
|       liesmich.html
|       liesmich.txt
|       readme.html
|       readme.txt
|
+---experimental
|   \---usb4ksector
|           1README.TXT
|           plpbt.bin
|           plpbtrom.bin
|           plpinst.com
|           plpinstc.com
|
+---install
|       plpbtin.img
|       plpbtin.iso
|       plpinst.com
|       plpinstc.com
|
+---Linux     ############### for Linux users ###############
|       1README.TXT
|       plpbt.bin
|       plpbtrom      <<-- Linux executable
|       plpbtrom.bin
|       plpcfgbt
|       plpmkboot
|            #################################################  
+---pcmcia
|   |   plpbt.bin    <<-- run plop without installing -->>
|   |   plpbt.img
|   |   plpbt.iso
|   |   plpbtrom.bin
|   |
|   \---install
|           plpbtin.img
|           plpbtin.iso
|           plpinst.com
|           plpinstc.com   <<-- can be used as Linux kernel for installing plop
|
\---Windows       ############ for windows users #############
        1README.html
        InstallToBootMenu.bat
        InstallToMBR.bat
        plpbt.bin
        plpbt4win.exe
        plpbtrom.bin
        plpbtrom.exe
        plpcfgbt.exe
        plpcfgbtGUI.exe         <<-- this is GUI for installing plop to USB
        plpinstc.bin
        plpmkboot.exe

3. Installing plop using syslinux/Isolinux/Extlinux;-

label plpinst
linux plpinstc.com

4. Installing plop using Grub4dos;-

title Install Plop Boot Manager
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/plpinstc.com

#6. Chain-loading plop using other boot-loaders.
 << chain-loading and booting plop without installing >>

1. using syslinux/Isolinux/Extlinux

label plop live boot
linux plpbt.bin

2. using grub4dos;-

title Plop Boot Manager
find --set-root /boot/plpbt.bin
kernel ()/boot/plpbt.bin


#7. General terms and definitions.
1. Devices Notations;-
HDA = Hard disk 1
HDB = Hard disk 2
HDC = Hard disk 3
HDD = Hard disk 4
<< extended partition will be treated as one primary partition >>

2. Editing MBR boot codes/importing boot codes;-

This is used to change the values of partitions in the MBR.

BP means boot manager partition.
This values are stored in the boot manager.
P1-P4 this are the current values of the primary partitions in the MBR.

You can edit the hexadecimal values in the partition table. select a row with s (select) and paste the values to the row where the cursor is with p. With this function, you can import partition values to the boot manager or change values in the MBR.

3. Show in main menu;-
By default plop will shoe only primary partitions in boot menu, but you can add what you want.

4. Linked partitions - hot-keys

b >> set boot partition.
~ You select, what partition you want to boot with this profile. The boot manager set a bios drive number automatically. It's possible to change it with another key.

c >> clear partition.
You set this entry to "cleared" and the boot manager clears this entry in the MBR when you boot this profile.

d >> don't touch.
You set the entry to don't touch and the boot manager does not change this entry when you boot this profile.

e >> edit boot flag.
The boot flag has the bios drive number used by the boot sector routine. In some cases it's required to change this value.

r >> remove boot flag.
Here, you remove the boot flag from the profile.

l >> set logical partition.
~ You can set to boot from a logical partition 1-4 of an extended partition. Change the logical number by pressing "l". L1 = first logical, L2 = second, ...


5. Master password;-
~ Setup the master password. Disable the boot manager password protection with an empty password.

6. Setup password;-
~ Setup the setup password. Disable the boot manager setup password protection with an empty password.

7. Profiles for boot menu;-
~ Profiles are used to start different operating systems from different hard disks and partitions. It's also possible to detect changes in the MBR made by other software and import or forget the changes.

9. Clear partition data
~ Clearing the data means clearing of the partition data in the boot manager. The data on the partition itself is unchanged.

#8. How to chain-load operating systems from primary partitions using plop?;-
1. After installing plop to MBR of your Hard-drive or other memory device, when you try to boot from usb than by default it will show you all primary partitions of your usb/memory device.
and you can select any one them from the boot entries.

2. If you are facing any problem than the main reason will be the PBR boot codes. PBR stands for partition boot record , boot codes.

3. hence, you have to install proper boot-codes that particular partition of your usb drive.
<<<< for windows users there is a utility, named Bootice, which will make your life easy >>>>>>
select your memory device >> process PBR >> choose any one boot loader and install to that particular partition .
<< how easy it is , if are using Bootice >>>

#9. How to chain-load Operating system from Extended partitions using plop?;-
1. first of all, install appropriate PBR boot codes to that partition , which are required to boot that operating system without any other boot-loader.

2. for example, if you want to run LinuxMINT than you have to install GRUB2 to PBR of that partition where you have installed LinuxMINT.
or
If you want to boot Windows-vista/7/8/8.1 than you have to install " BOOTMGR boot record " into that partition where you earlier installed windows.

3. here I will show you how to configure plop to chain-load from a logical partition.
~ boot using plop boot manager
~ Set-up >> Profiles >> move the cursor to a blank entry ( using up/down keys) and press enter.
~ Edit label >> fill a name for boot menu.
~ Show in main menu >> press enter
~ Linked partitions >>before proceeding towards this step , first check the steps below.
                    -->> find out the number of that extended partition, ( go to Setup >> Partitions >> select any partition and press enter, here you will see the properties of that partition, which is just front of the menu "Partition ID".

In this tutorial I am using " HD0-3 "  extended partition, means the fourth primary partition of my usb drive. ( extended partition is also a primary partition )

~ Linked Partition >> In " HDA main menu" >> move the cursor to fourth label and press ' B ' hot-key ( set boot partition ) and than press ' L ' hot-key ( use logical partition ), press ' L ' continuously until you get that particular logical partition , defined as " L1, L2, L3, L4".

~ press "ESC" and again "ESC" , plop will prompt you to save the new configuration settings. press " Y " and move to main boot menu.

~ now you can see the boot entry which we add just while.

#10. How to boot from USB Drive or Flash memory card , if BIOS not support booting from USB? ( using plop )

~ Install plop to the MBR boot codes of your PC/Laptop internal Hard drive.
~ configure plop to boot your pre-installed operating systems.
~ press ' B ' key or just enter the " USB " sub-menu in the main menu.

#11. How to configure windows to boot using plop.;-

~ Install plop to MBR boot record of Internal hard Drive.
~ Run Bootice as Admin access and Install " bootmgr boot record " to that partitions PBR where you have installed windows ( In case if have installed multiple windows operating systems )
~ reboot >> plop main menu appears >> go to set-up >> profiles >> Edit labels >> rename according to your operating system and save the configuration so that when you again boot your system than you will not confuse which boot entry belong to windows 7 or which belong to Linux.

<< Never try to play with this option until you don not know what you are doing >>

#12. I have made a multipart-multiboot USB using plop and bootice with these operating systems
1. Hiren Boot Disk
2. slax
3. puppy
4. Puppy studio
5. win-PE
6. Linux-MINT live


I will discuss later how i made this using only two small utility Bootice and Plop.
######

Going To Install Windows, Give It a LOOK;

# If you are going to install windows in your PC / LAPTOP and you do not how do i install windows and how can i install windows easily and in a few minutes.

# These are some certain cases , you should consider when you are going to install windows into your PC.
-->> You have a Windows DVD DISK, Given to you when you buy your PC.
-->> If you don't have a windows DVD Disk but you have been downloaded a windows ISO file.
-->> IF your PC don't have any DVD r/w device.
-->> If you do not want to waste your time, because installing Windows from DVD takes more time, if you decide to install windows from USB Drive / Flash memory cards.
-->> I don't want to install windows from DVD media, but my PC does not support booting from USB.

# INDEX
1. Installing windows from DVD Media.
2. Installing windows from USB Storage Device.
3. Installing from USB but your PC does not support booting from USB.
4. Installing windows within Pre-Installed Windows Environment, means Windows-PE Environment.

#1. Installing windows from DVD Media.;
~ Turn on your computer , insert Windows installation DVD Media.
~ By default, DVD Media Disk boots automatically, if not than check Boot Priority in Your BIOS Settings.
~ Follow the Instructions , prompting when you installing windows.
~

 

 

 

 

 

Do At Your Own Risk

#2. Installing windows from USB Storage Device.;
~ One more Additional Step, you have to prepare a USB Flash Drive.
~ I recommend you Rufus Tool,(459 KB) for creating a Bootable USB Flash Drive, Because It is Very Fast and Support Booting from all types of BIOS.

~ There are many tools which can be used to create a bootable USB Flash drive, but if you are Looking for a tool to create a multiboot Usb Flash Drive than you should Use one of them.
$ YUMI Mutiboot creater
$ XBOOT Download
$ SARDU
$ Manualy create a multiboot USB Flash Drive.

~ In next step, Plug-in your bootable USB Flash Drive and Turn-ON your computer and BOOT it from USB, Means either you can press some Keys Based Upon your BIOS, which lists all Bootable devices connected at the time of booting and you don't need to change the BIOS Boot priority order. or manually change the BOOT priority of your BIOS Setup so that it automatically Boot from USB Flash Drive.

~ Ones you have successfully booted your computer from USB, all remaining steps are same as in case of installing windows from DVD Media Device.

#3. Installing from USB but your PC does not support booting from USB.
~ If Your BIOS does not support booting from USB, than you have to prepare a CD / FLOPPY Disk and install PLOP Boot manager to it and boot from CD / Floppy.

~ Second best way is that, install EasyBCD to your Windows Computer and add One more Entry into your BOOT MENU,
-->> Add an Entry -->> Plop BIOS Extender -->> Install PLOP

~ At the time of BOOT MENU, select plop bios extender and select your USB Drive or USB Partition.
~ Remaining steps are same as above.

#4. Installing windows within Pre-Installed Windows Environment, means Windows-PE Environment.
~ In this case you should have a Windows-PE, USB Flash drive or CD Media.
~ Boot your Computer within Windows PE environment.
~ DOWNLOAD WinNT Setup and run this tool .

 

~ Select approriate options for and click -->> Setup.

~ yess, now you can restart your system and your have been installed.

NOTE:-

~ Very useful when you do not have any Windows Installation Media and USB Flash Drive but you have a windows installation ISO file located onto your Computer Internal Hard Drive.

Enjoy......