[Question] Can I install an OS to a Ventoy device?

[Midas]

My excuses if my question has already been answered somewhere else I couldn't find.

According to "Ventoy Disk Layout In MBR" (https://ventoy.net/en/doc_disk_layout.html) it is possible to reserve extra disk space at the bottom of the device for an extra 1/2 partition(s).

My question is: can another OS -- say Mint Linux -- be installed into one of these extra partitions?

Would there be any special instructions needed or limitations present?

Thanks in advance for your input.

[Midas]

Possible solution:

Multifunction USB SSD (USB Swiss Army Knife)
https://forums.ventoy.net/showthread.php?tid=361

[mr.neeo]

According to said information, Ventoy can only read "ISO/WIM/IMG/EFI" files.

[Midas]

Thanks for your input, mr.neeo.

Although I haven't tested it yet, my hopes currently lie with putting GRUB File Manager ISO in main partition ('grubfm_multiarch.iso' from https://github.com/a1ive/grub2-filemanager/) and use it to find the installed OS.

More info at:

https://forums.ventoy.net/showthread.php?tid=457
https://forums.ventoy.net/showthread.php?tid=417
https://forums.ventoy.net/showthread.php?tid=103

In a perfect world, the ideal solution would be for Ventoy to be able to boot a 'root.disk' file as is created by a tool such as Wubiuefi (https://github.com/hakuna-m/wubiuefi).

[mr.neeo]

Hope for the best, but it required a lot of efforts. Next working on a lot of bootable files, it may create different problems. Ventoy is on basic level and i think it will compete Rufus etc. Because the idea of the software is simple and nice. i am happy with it.

[CsIxy]

[quote pid='1384' dateline='1599136613']
Can I install an OS to a Ventoy device?
[/quote]
But yes, it can be!
   

---

[quote pid='1384' dateline='1599136613']
Can I install an OS to a Ventoy device?

But yes, it can be
[/quote]
Same device with legacy boot, like frugal install.
   

[KaMyKaSii]

[quote pid='1384' dateline='1599136613']
Can I install an OS to a Ventoy device?

But yes, it can be!

---

[quote pid='1384' dateline='1599136613']
Can I install an OS to a Ventoy device?

But yes, it can be
[/quote]
Same device with legacy boot, like frugal install.

[/quote]
 Can you say in what device you put to install the bootloader during the Mint installation? Or do you think it don't matter as you are booting it with Ventoy's grub?

[CsIxy]

[quote pid='1384' dateline='1599136613']
Can I install an OS to a Ventoy device?

But yes, it can be!

---

[quote pid='1384' dateline='1599136613']
Can I install an OS to a Ventoy device?

But yes, it can be

Same device with legacy boot, like frugal install.

[/quote]
 Can you say in what device you put to install the bootloader during the Mint installation? Or do you think it don't matter as you are booting it with Ventoy's grub?
[/quote]
Linux Mint was installed in UEFI mode on the reserved 32 gigabyte sda3 partition of the GPT partition table Ventoly device. I booted the installer in UEFI mode. During installation, they were mounted on /dev/sda3 as / and /dev/sda2 as /boot/efi. /dev/sda has been selected as the boot device.

---

[quote pid='1384' dateline='1599136613']
Can I install an OS to a Ventoy device?

But yes, it can be!

---

[quote pid='1384' dateline='1599136613']
Can I install an OS to a Ventoy device?

But yes, it can be

Same device with legacy boot, like frugal install.

 Can you say in what device you put to install the bootloader during the Mint installation? Or do you think it don't matter as you are booting it with Ventoy's grub?
[/quote]
Linux Mint was installed in UEFI mode on the reserved 32 gigabyte sda3 partition of the GPT partition table Ventoly device. I booted the installer in UEFI mode. During installation, they were mounted on /dev/sda3 as / and /dev/sda2 as /boot/efi. /dev/sda has been selected as the boot device.
[/quote]
Before installation, I saved the /BOOT/BOOTX64.EFI file on the VTOYEFI partition and after installation I overwrote it to its original location, overwriting the newer file.

[Midas]

 Can you say in what device you put to install the bootloader during the Mint installation? Or do you think it don't matter as you are booting it with Ventoy's grub?

Linux Mint was installed in UEFI mode on the reserved 32 gigabyte sda3 partition of the GPT partition table Ventoly device.

I booted the installer in UEFI mode.

During installation, they were mounted on /dev/sda3 as / and /dev/sda2 as /boot/efi. /dev/sda has been selected as the boot device.

Before installation, I saved the /BOOT/BOOTX64.EFI file on the VTOYEFI partition and after installation I overwrote it to its original location, overwriting the newer file.

Thanks for your input, CsIxy. I'll be sure to report back if I can make it work...

Also noted: your request at https://forums.ventoy.net/showthread.php?tid=600.

P.S.: People, for what can easily be seen above, please don't use the forum quotes -- it's way too MESSY! Copy and paste instead.

[bsun99]

Thanks for your input, mr.neeo.

Although I haven't tested it yet, my hopes currently lie with putting GRUB File Manager ISO in main partition ('grubfm_multiarch.iso' from https://github.com/a1ive/grub2-filemanager/) and use it to find the installed OS.

More info at:

https://forums.ventoy.net/showthread.php?tid=457
https://forums.ventoy.net/showthread.php?tid=417
https://forums.ventoy.net/showthread.php?tid=103

In a perfect world, the ideal solution would be for Ventoy to be able to boot a 'root.disk' file as is created by a tool such as Wubiuefi (https://github.com/hakuna-m/wubiuefi).

Yes,  that would be very very good if Ventoy can boot to VHD as well as Wubiuefi's root.disk. They are definitely expected if possible.