Lenovo ThinkPad users can boot USB drives finely. As Ubuntu Buzz often publishes booting articles, now let's learn how to practice that on computers using ThinkPad as example. By making this tutorial I hope I give abilities to all computer users who didn't know yet they can do this amazing thing. Let's go!
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What Is Booting
Computers work by a mechanism called booting that is finding the storage and reading the operating system. When user starts up his computer he does booting. Operating system is an important software set stored in storage without it computer does not work. On PC and laptop, an OS normally stored in hard disk drive (HDD) however in fact there were OSes stored in floppy disk drive also known as diskette (FDD), in Compact Disc (CD) or Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), and in modern days even in USB flash drive (USB).
What Is a USB Drive
A USB storage device sometimes called USB pendrive, USB stick, or flash disk, or whatever else. It is a digital storage that connects to computer through USB standard.
Goal
To run an operating system stored in a USB drive.
Making Bootable USB
An operating system should be inserted into a bootable drive in order to make computer runs it. To create one, use one of these tools.
Insert Drive
Plug your pendrive stick to USB port on your computer.
Start The Computer
Turn your computer on.
Setup BIOS
(1) Press special key to enter your BIOS. As example, on Lenovo ThinkPad it is F1, on Acer it is F2, and on ASUS it is Del, on your computer it depends on what message appears quickly under manufacturer logo when you boot up.
(2) Go to Booting section and make sure computer chooses USB as its first device to boot before HDD and CDROM.
(3) Save and Reboot. On most computers, the key is F10.
Run Operating System
Now you see GNU Operating System runs. Your screen should see the appearance of GNU/Linux distro you run. On my example my Lenovo ThinkPad runs Ubuntu.
Shutdown and Restart Quickly
Different to Windows or macOS, GNU/Linux has special keyboard shortcuts called Magic SysRq. It works as long as kernel is staying at the memory and not in panic condition. To shutdown instantly, press Alt+Printscreen+REISUO. To restart immediately, press Alt+Printscreen+REISUB. These Magics work with all Debian and Ubuntu distros family. Known distros without these are Fedora and openSUSE.