Build a Live USB disk

1. Download the .raw file containing the latest Archivematica USB release (e.g. Archivematica-0.x.raw)

• Note: this file will be over 3GB in size and is designed to work on USB keys with a capacity of 4GB or more
• You can also build your own .raw file using the latest checkout from the Archivematica code repository. Follow the instructions on the Build a virtual appliance page and then see the Create a .raw file section.

2. Find out the location of your USB drive. You can use the mount command to do this:

mount

3. On a single drive system the usb drive is likely on /dev/sdb (but be very sure of your drive. You will lose all data on what ever drive is specified as 'of=')

4. Use the dd tool to write the raw file image to the USB key (if = input file; of = output file; bs = block size):

sudo dd if=archivematica-usb.raw of=/dev/sdb

• Note: this can take 10-20 minutes depending on the read/write speed of your USB key.
• Note: the dd tool is included in the core of most *nix(linux, BSD, osx) installations (See Linux documentation). A dd for Windows is also available.

rebuild partition table

Some USB keys will require rebuilding of partition table (e.g. if initial dd write fails). Use GParted to rebuild partition table: Device -> Create Partition Table -> MSDOS

reformat drive

Some USB keys will required reformatting of their hard drive. Use GParted to format to FAT32, this will allow Windows machines to read the USBSHARE partition to exchange files via the USB key.

booting the Live USB disk

See Use the Live USB.