Run any Linux flavor from a USB Flash without Re-booting Windows

My favorite bootable Linux live-systems are KNOPPIX and BlackTrack, both pretty handy and I would recommend to any Security aficionado. Both primarily designed to be used as a live CD, but to run from hard disk or USB flash disk is a quite a messy task.

I really wanted to carry a secure OS where I can whack in to any public computer and run all my SecTools. It is always handy whenever you travel without your laptop; imagine you could carry your operating system, files, e-mail, personal settings, and favorites in your pocket - all you need to do is just whack the USB in a Windows/Linux PC and run your favorite Linux in another Window!

Let's fold the sleeves; it's pretty straight forward. All you need to do is download Qemu and a copy your favorite Linux CD (ISO) Image. Qemu is a generic and open source machine emulator and virtualizer. You can find all supported CPUs here. Extract the downloaded .zip file to a folder on your flash drive and copy your favorite Linux ISO image to the same. Typically an ISO image is big as 700MB, so you may need minimum of 1GB flash drive. But don't be disheartened if you got a 128MB one, try Damn Small Linux - everything is in a 50MB ISO. Once you have the ISO image it's only a mouse click away, run the StartLinux.bat file - you will be surprised.

I found the booting up process is bit slow and also found a driver allowing a Qemu to run x86 code in a Virtual Machine. It's called Qemu Accelerator. That's bonus and surely will speed up your Linux on XP experience. Extract all files in tar.gz file in to your Qemu folder and right click on the kqemu.ini file and select Install. Once you install the accelerator as a windows service, make sure you start it by ` net start kqemu` prior to running StartLinux.bat.

Have fun!