gentoo install x86 btrfs

this as a quick start guide to the much longer and more comprehensive gentoo handbook. but please understand what i have done, and not blindly copy. you should definitely read the gentoo install handbook a few times before even attempting an install.

extlinux (syslinux) debian style

my path away from grub2 took me via lilo to extlinux. i stayed with lilo for a while. syslinux was on my mind, but for something rather trivial/straightforward i couldn't crack. i finally got my head around it, and my usb sticks were the first ones to get it.

next stop was debian on my laptop, which has just been converted. the below steps are for debian systems only. if you want a how-to for other systems, let me know.

debian net-install

(32bit) http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/dists/testing/main/installer-i386/current/images/netboot/debian-installer/i386/
(64bit) http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/dists/testing/main/installer-amd64/current/images/netboot/debian-installer/amd64/

substitute uk with {your country-code}, and testing with {stable/unstable}, as per your preference.

Bootable USB

I used mkdosfs to create a FAT16 filesystem. I want to use this stick anywhere.

Then I used dd to wipe the MBR.

I wanted to use grub on this stick. But, try as I might, I couldn't get it to boot on the PCs that I have.

Finally, I settled down with the restricted version of syslinux. Now, my usb stick seems to boot most PCs.

Voila! I have my entire desktop on a keyring, and can carry with me everywhere.

As long as the owner of any computer allows me, I stick this into a USB port, and boot to my own desktop. It looks the same, and acts the same, no matter where I am or what hardware I use, if it boots... And I have been able to boot most PCs, laptops, thin clients, etc. Plus, an added bonus is that nothing "on" that PC is disturbed!