live USB Archives

Winsage

September 15, 2025

4 Windows tools I miss while using Ubuntu as my daily machine

Ubuntu lacks a system reset feature, requiring users to use a live USB for clean installations. It does not support repair upgrades using the latest ISO image. There is no system restore function, meaning users must perform full reinstalls to recover from issues. Ubuntu also lacks Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities in its screenshot tool and image applications, forcing reliance on external solutions. Additionally, there is no seamless phone integration like Windows' Phone Link app, limiting productivity. Despite its user-friendly interface and package management, these missing features hinder Ubuntu's appeal as a leading Linux distribution.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

This Windows 11 repair trick fixes nearly every Windows problem

File corruption is a common issue in computing that can lead to problems such as the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) and slowdowns. Windows provides built-in tools like System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) to address these issues, which can function offline. Users are advised to download fresh Windows installation files as ISO images for Windows 10 and 11 for troubleshooting. DISM can assess and repair Windows image files using a live USB, with a specific command format to run it. After using DISM, it is recommended to run SFC at least twice to ensure all issues are resolved. DISM can also service and prepare .wim or .vhd/vhdx format Windows images for virtual environments. Using DISM and SFC offline can restore computer functionality more efficiently than a complete reinstallation.

Winsage

June 25, 2025

Before Windows 10 goes EOL, I’m testing three alternative Linux distros to save my 6-year-old laptop from the landfill

The CachyOS installer offers an aesthetically pleasing yet somewhat confusing installation experience, particularly regarding the Bootloader selection, where the default is Systemd-boot instead of the more familiar Grub. Additionally, the additional package installer lacks sufficient context, which may confuse users. The installation process has become more streamlined compared to the past, where users had to deal with multiple ISO images and CDs. Now, one can easily create a Live USB using software like Rufus, Raspberry Pi Imager, or Balena Etcher. A Live USB allows users to test the operating system before installation and serves various purposes such as troubleshooting and data recovery. The author is installing CachyOS on a Lenovo X390 laptop with 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5-8265U.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Tiny11’s creator squashed Windows 11 ARM onto an iPad Air M2, and it works better than you’d think

NTDev has successfully run Windows 11 Arm64 on the iPad Air M2 using a streamlined version called Tiny11, which has a smaller file size and fewer features. This was achieved with the UTM app and just-in-time (JIT) emulation, taking advantage of the iPad Air M2's ARM CPU. Although users may experience some lag, the ability to run Windows 11 on this device without crashing demonstrates innovative software solutions. This effort is part of a trend where enthusiasts explore unconventional methods to run Windows 11 on various devices.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

5 reasons why GParted is better than any Windows alternative for partition management

GParted is a free and open-source partition management tool available on Linux, allowing users to boot directly from a flash drive without installation. It supports over a dozen file systems, including HFS, HFS+, BTRFS, and F2FS, providing versatility beyond Windows' Disk Management, which is limited to NTFS, exFAT, and FAT32. GParted enables users to manage partition flags easily, a feature not available in Windows. While it does not offer direct partition recovery options, users can use the Terminal in GParted Live to execute disk tests for locating lost partitions. GParted can run from a live USB across multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it a flexible choice for partition management. It allows users to shrink partitions, create new ones, and recover lost partitions and files, although it is recommended for users comfortable with partition management.

Tech Optimizer

August 27, 2024

Postgresql and Port 5432 issues on Ubuntu 24.04 | HackerNoon

The author transitioned from SQLite to PostgreSQL for Ruby on Rails development, influenced by a tutorial. They decided to reinstall Ubuntu 24.04 to optimize their setup, allocating 500GB to the OS. After backing up data and installing the Omakub setup, they encountered 'ActiveRecord' errors related to connecting to PostgreSQL on port 5432. Despite various troubleshooting attempts, including reinstalling PostgreSQL and switching to SQLite, the issue persisted. Ultimately, they resolved the problem by creating a PostgreSQL database profile and updating the database.yml file with the correct username and password, successfully connecting their app to the database.

Winsage

August 26, 2024

I ran Windows 11 off a live USB – here’s how it went

The live USB feature for testing operating systems has been available for Linux distributions but was traditionally absent in Windows 11, which required a full installation from a bootable drive. Rufus, a disk flashing tool, enables the creation of a live Windows 11 USB with persistent storage, allowing users to save changes made to the OS. The process involves selecting the Windows To Go option with a Windows 11 ISO and can take over 15 minutes to complete. The user interface of the live version is responsive, handling multiple browser tabs without lag, but struggles with tasks that require writing to the USB, such as installing applications and Windows Updates. Light 2D games perform well, with titles like GNOSIA and Starbound running smoothly, while others, like Terraria, require GPU driver installation for better performance. Some games, such as Disco Elysium, face compatibility issues. The live USB offers portability and flexibility but has drawbacks like slow write speeds and update limitations, making it less suitable for some users compared to traditional installations.