How to Create a Multisystem LiveUSB Flash Drive from Linux: Multisystem is a versatile tool designed to create Multiboot USB drives directly from Linux. Similar to the YUMI MultiBootISOs USB boot creator, it allows you to build a customized Multiboot USB flash drive with your preferred bootable Live Linux distributions. This guide provides step by step instructions on installing and using Multisystem while up and running from Ubuntu or another Debian based Operating System.
Multisystem LiveUSB Features
Multisystem offers a range of features for Linux users, including:
- Easy Multiboot Creation: Drag and drop ISOs to add multiple distributions to a single bootable USB drive.
- Linux-Specific Design: Unlike other tools, Multisystem was developed specifically for Linux environments.
- Grub2 Bootloader: Uses the Grub2 bootloader for better compatibility with modern systems.
- Broad ISO Support: Supports various USB bootable Live Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian based ISOs.
- Intuitive Interface: Simple, easy to use interface to easily manage and validate your USB booting setup.
Multisystem LiveUSB Prerequisites:
Before you get started, ensure you have the following ready to go:
- An Ubuntu or Debian based operating system.
- A fast USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space.
- A working Internet connection to download necessary files.
- The
install-depot-multiboot.sh.tar.bz2file (details below). - This tool uses the Grub2 bootloader, which supports most modern systems.
Official Website: Project Page
Developer: LiveUSB.info
Installing the Multisystem LiveUSB Tool
Before proceeding, note that MultiSystem may no longer work as expected, as the LiveUSB project is inactive and no longer updated. For a current, better supported and readily updated option, consider using YUMI on Linux instead.
- Download Multisystem and untar the compressed shell script using Ubuntu’s archive manager.
- Extract the install-depot-multiboot.sh script from the archive to your desktop.
- Double-click install-depot-multiboot.sh from your desktop and choose "Run in Terminal" to start the installation.
Using the Multisystem LiveUSB Tool
Once installed, follow these steps to create your Multiboot USB:
- Insert a USB flash drive into your computer.
- Launch the script via Applications > Accessories > MultiBoot.
- Select your flash drive from the list and click Validate to prepare the drive.
- Drag and Drop an ISO file into the window to add a distribution. Repeat this step to add multiple ISOs.
- Once finished:
(1.) Restart your PC.
(2.) Then access your BIOS or Boot Menu, set your USB drive as the primary boot device and continue to startup your PC.
(3.) Select the ISO distribution you wish to boot, and enjoy your portable Linux setup!
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter issues with the installation or boot process, try the following:
- Ensure your USB drive is formatted to FAT32 or NTFS before starting.
- Double-check your BIOS settings to ensure USB booting is enabled.
- If you receive "ISO not supported" errors, try another distribution or use YUMI or newer tools for better compatibility.
Alternative Multiboot Tools
If Multisystem does not work on your setup, consider these alternative multiboot solutions:
- YUMI (Your Universal Multiboot Integrator) – A popular and well known Multibooting OS tool with broad ISO support. Highly recommended for those coming from Windows into the Linux world.
- Ventoy – Another newer innovative tool that allows drag and drop drop support for putting ISOs on USB, offering enhanced flexibility for multiboot setup (note: YUMI includes Ventoy's features and more).
With the right Multiboot Multi-System OS tool, you can enjoy a powerful USB drive packed with your favorite Linux distributions!