Is it possible to use the second partition while a live USB is in use?

Yes, it is indeed possible to use the second partition on a USB while a live USB is in use. This can be particularly useful when dealing with a variety of storage devices and operating systems. The question often revolves around the workaround for using multiple partitions on a USB drive, especially when booting from a live system.

Consider the scenario where you use a 64 GB USB drive (USB pendrive) for backing up eMMC drives on both a small laptop and a Windows 10 tablet. This drive is dual-partitioned, with each partition serving a specific purpose.

Partitioning the USB Drive

On your USB pendrive, the first partition is formatted in FAT32 and contains a Ubuntu 64-bit Live system, which is created and copied using Windows File Explorer. The second partition, conversely, is formatted as NTFS and remains unbootable by default in Windows 10. This setup arises due to the limitation that Windows 10 earlier versions would only access the first partition on removable drives for booting purposes.

Using the Live USB System

The FAT32 partition serves as the bootable portion, allowing you to access the Live Linux system through the UEFI firmware boot menu. You can then utilize this system for various purposes such as creating backups or restoring data from eMMC drives.

Backup and Restore Operations

For eMMC drives, 32 GB or 64 GB in size, you can use the Live Linux system to create a gzip backup onto the NTFS partition or restore the backup to the drive. Typically, a 32 GB eMMC drive would compress into a .zip file of approximately 8 to 12 GB.

Limitations and Considerations

While it is possible to use the second partition, it is important to note that if you are running Windows, the second partition must contain a supported filesystem like FAT or NTFS, or you may face issues. Additionally, with encrypted filesystems, you may encounter further complications.

Optimizing the Live System

In multiboot systems, it is advisable to allocate space for virtual memory (pagefile) on another disk to avoid overloading the USB drive. This is particularly crucial when the primary use of the live USB is for system booting and data operations, as excessive usage can degrade performance and potentially damage the USB drive.

Conclusion

Living with a second partition on a USB while running a live system is entirely feasible, provided certain conditions are met. The combination of partitioning, viable filesystems, and careful use ensures that your USB drive remains robust and functional. Whether for backup purposes, data recovery, or other operations, understanding the nuances of partitioning can be immensely helpful in maximizing the utility of your USB drives.

Related Topics

For more insights on USB partitioning and multiboot systems, consider exploring topics such as:

USB Partitioning: Dive deeper into partitioning strategies for USB drives to enhance their functionality and longevity. Multiboot Systems: Learn about the advantages and challenges of creating a multiboot environment on USB drives. Filesystem Management: Discover best practices for managing and optimizing different filesystems on your USB drives.

By understanding and implementing these strategies, you can significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of your USB storage solutions.