Ubuntu

Boot from live cd and login as my normal user.

Asked by Phil Norisez

I would like to try out new versions of Ubuntu before upgrading. To me, this means being able to use the live CD as my boot device, but login to my normal system. I'm smart enough to not try using the older versions of applications that are installed, but, instead, install those for the version under trial. I also know to save work in such a way as to remain compatible with older application versions. The problem is, the live cd's kernel does not use the login credentialling from the hard drive, but only its hard-coded "live user". I realize that one way would be to clone my hard drive, then use that drive to upgrade, but that would mean losing any work done under the trial version if I decide to go back. How do or can I accomplish what I want without overwriting my current version, yet save work done under it to my hard drive?

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actionparsnip
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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

How do you mean "log in to my normal system"?

You can install applications just as you would in an installed OS, you are just limited by the amount of RAM you have.

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Phil Norisez (norisezp) said : 		#2

Hi, actionparsnip. Thanks for the reply.

First of all, let me say that I am currently running 12.04LTS and am
looking at both 14.04.3LTS and 15.10.

By "login to my normal system" I mean access the username/password
database on the hard drive, allow me to login to my usual username, and
perform tasks as if I had installed the new version, but without
affecting any of the system directories. Indeed, I would like them
protected against the version from the CD. If I see something that I
find undesirable about the new version, I want to be able to revert
simply by booting again from the hard drive.

I understand the principle of installing applications into the
pseudo-drive that the CD sets up in RAM. Perhaps, I would like that to
use the hard drive's /tmp. I know that the new versions access /tmp,
since I see its contents changing between boots. I also know that I can
set up a directory on the hard drive into which to write files shared by
the new version and my current system. I find this pretty cumbersome to
manage.

I am a cautious individual, and don't want to completely cut myself off
from reverting in case something drastic occurs. I like to perform my
testing of a new version in phases, the very last of which is to install
over my running system. I hope this clarifies my intent.

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Best actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#3

You can certainly access the data on your Linux partitions but the username and password details are different for the live CD OS to the installed one.

If you want a try before you buy then install to a USB drive as if it were an internal drive and boot to it. You will get the same experience as an installed OS. Easy peasy

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Phil Norisez (norisezp) said : 		#4

Thanks actionparsnip, that solved my question.