Booting Ubuntu from a USB, no internet

[wdhpr]

This maybe a tall order but possibly someones been down this road already.
I'm trying to test drive ubuntu 9.10 booting it from a USB. Its easily done using the live cd and you can save your settings and files

Problem is I can't connect to the internet. Nor can I access the internet using the synaptic package installer. However I can ping my IP

Stranger still the internet works fine if I boot Ubuntu from the live CD

Internet information is identical when booting from both the USB and the live CD.
No connection problems when running windows or mepis.

Cheers
Wdhpr

[freedog96150]

You did not mention if your connection is wireless or wired. I have run into a similar problem with Ubuntu booting from USB and not activating the wireless card by default. My fix was pretty simple...go into networking and turn on the antenna. I would check the same if your connection is wired as well.

Just a thought.

[wdhpr]

You did not mention if your connection is wireless or wired

Yes my bad. My setup is a 2wire dsl modem connected to a linksys router via a ethernet cable. The router is connected to my computer via a ethernet cable. The router is for my sons wireless internet connection. All works fine. The problem starts when I am running Ubutu from my USB stick. I can not connect to the internet. However my sons connection still remains ok.
I am thinking it has something to do with ubuntu confusing my usb with a cd drive (just my theory) and I have no idea how to verify if it is the problem.
thanks for the reply

Cheers
Wdhpr

[1002richards]

Hi,
What make of machine is involved please? If it's a Dell have you tried this (see link). I've used it on my Dell laptop (not Mini) with _buntu 9.10 several times as I distro-hop!

http://www.ubuntumini.com/2009/11/br...in-karmic.html

Richard

[wdhpr]

What make of machine is involved please? If it's a Dell have you tried this (see link). I've used it on my Dell laptop (not Mini) with _buntu 9.10 several times as I distro-hop!

Its a gateway/emachine amd64. But thanks for the poke at it. Also I am afraid this applies to a wired connection. What really has me scratching the noggin is it shows connected (auto-eth0) and I can ping my IP but can't connect otherwise. Perhaps I could use MC's tech guy's advice. Hint Hint

Cheers
Wdhpr

[freedog96150]

Chances are the OS is not confusing the USB with your CD. I would go into networking and check the following:

1. Pulling an IP from the DHCP server - if it is 169.x.x.x or not an addresses range as assigned by the router, then you have a problem with DHCP or connectivity.
2. Getting the correct Gateway address - this should be the router IP
3. Pulling the list of DNS addresses - internet will not work properly without these. Sometimes this is just your router IP.
4. Be sure that your ethernet connection is UP - this differs from Windows where we are used to seeing disabled or enabled. In Linux it is UP or DOWN.

To help t/s your connectivity try cycling the DHCP (sometimes called auto/manual) on and off, or as counter intuitive as this sound, set a static IP, gateway and DNS and see if you gain connectivity. If setting static information works, then you have just isolated the problem to your DHCP. Chances are there is a name conflict or MAC address issue or an ARP cache issue on the Linksys.

I know the frustration is that the LiveCD works fine so why doesn't the USB key?? Linux is too configurable for its own good sometimes.

[wdhpr]

Nice...nice, very good advice

Thanks this kind of makes sense to this hard head with rocks rattling around.
I'll get busy on it tomorrow after Work. Bed time for now, don't want to wake up grumpy.

Cheers
Wdhpr

[freedog96150]

I'm now wondering if @1002richard hit on something. I have seen many Gateway boxes that have used a proprietary/special ethernet driver. Wonder if that is the case here? It is possible that the LiveCD version has a much bigger selection of drivers and the correct one gets loaded, but in a stripped down USB key version, the driver goes missing and the next nearest one gets loaded.

You comfortable with Linux command line? If so, load your LiveCd and read the /var/log/messages log file to see which driver is loaded. Do the same for the USB key version and compare the drivers. It is possible that you are loading two different drivers and that could be your problem.

Just helping you dig.

[bk_7312]

Just a question, how did you make your USB boot Ubuntu? If you used the CD/DVD .ISO file to make your USB into a LiveUSB with Unetbootin then in theory if the CD can do it, so can the USB so there shouldn't be any problem but practical always beats theory hands down. If you did it some other way like those persistent installs or frugal installs (still not sure what they mean) then there may be problems. I'm not an expert in this area but hope this helps.

[wdhpr]

Quick response as I'm heading out the door.

I made the bootable usb from utility that comes with the live cd. Persistent refers to the ability to save settings and files. Everything is saved when I shut down. Ubuntu and Puppy Linux are two that this can be done with.
Explained here: http://www.pendrivelinux.com/what-is-persistent-linux/

Pendrive linux shows other ways to boot from a usb as well. Problem is when I tried it with mepis it wont save anything. Essentially its just like a live cd.

Cheers
Wdhpr