V7.0.3 LiveDVD-Flash_Installer Error

[Karibu]

I Downloaded V7.0.3-DVD.iso and ran the md5sum integrity test.
Then I burned image to DVD and wanted to make an USB Flashdisk Installation.
When it says "Creating Boot Record on /dev/sdh" I got the Error message:


lseek: Invalid argument

sfdisk: seek error on /dev/sdh - cannot seek to 0
/dev/sdh: unrecognized partition table type

sfdisk: 1: no such partitionWhat is wrong? How can I fix it?

PS.: I use a 32GB HP USB drive which I formatted FAT32 first.

[Karibu]

knoppix@Microknoppix:~$ sfdisk -l /dev/sdh Disk /dev/sdh: 4294967295 cylinders, 255 heads, 63 sectors/track lseek: Invalid argument sfdisk: seek error on /dev/sdh - cannot seek to 0 /dev/sdh: unrecognized partition table type No partitions foundknoppix@Microknoppix:~$ gedit /etc/fstab
See attached /etc/fstab-ORIGINAL and fstab after inserting USB drive

As I understand it the system recognizes the USB drive correctly (Because it is 32GB, I created two FAT32 partitions to have a partition for multi purpose use).
Why do I get this seek error on /dev/sdh?
Is it a badly burned DVD?
What can I do?

[Karibu]

On my machine, V7.0.3-DVD can NOT do what V7.0.2-DVD can,
i.e. do install KNOPPIX on flash disk!

I used the same USB to install V7.0.2 DVD without any difficulty...
that means no "sfdisk: seek error on /dev/sdh" as mentioned above.

I would appreciate any idea or advice how to get V7.0.3 on an USB drive!

[Karibu]

I checked the fstab in both - V7.0.3 and V7.0.2 and they are identical...

#V7.0.3
# Added by KNOPPIX
/dev/sdh1 /media/sdh1 vfat noauto,users,exec,umask=000,shortname=winnt,uid=kn oppix,gid=knoppix 0 0
# Added by KNOPPIX
/dev/sdh2 /media/sdh2 vfat noauto,users,exec,umask=000,shortname=winnt,uid=kn oppix,gid=knoppix 0 0

#V7.0.2
# Added by KNOPPIX
/dev/sdh1 /media/sdh1 vfat noauto,users,exec,umask=000,shortname=winnt,uid=kn oppix,gid=knoppix 0 0
# Added by KNOPPIX
/dev/sdh2 /media/sdh2 vfat noauto,users,exec,umask=000,shortname=winnt,uid=kn oppix,gid=knoppix 0 0

[Karibu]

Hello
I wonder if somebody could help me with this issue (Installing V7.0.3 on 32GB HP USB drive)
a) I downloaded V7.0.3 again and burned a new DVD from the .iso file.
b) I used a different USB flash disk (16GB no-name brand) and could succeed!
c) I tried it again on the HP flash which I cleared with 'gparted' and got the following message:

Checking that no-one is using this disk right now ...
OK
lseek: Invalid argument

sfdisk: seek error on /dev/sdh - cannot seek to 0
/dev/sdh: unrecognized partition table type
No partitions found
lseek: Invalid argument

sfdisk: seek error on /dev/sdh - cannot seek to 0
BLKRRPART: Device or resource busy
The command to re-read the partition table failed.
Run partprobe(, kpartx( or reboot your system now,
before using mkfs
If you created or changed a DOS partition, /dev/foo7, say, then use dd(1)
to zero the first 512 bytes: dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/foo7 bs=512 count=1
(See fdisk(Has anybody an idea what could be wrong with this flash drive?
As I already mentioned, the V7.0.2 could be installed on the same flash drive.:confused:

[klaus2008]

Greetings Karibu!

I have no idea what went wrong but I would suggest that you issue the command
fdisk -l /dev/sdh and post the output. /dev/sdh is the device name of your 32 GB HP USB drive.

[Karibu]

Hello Klaus and thank you for the response....Here is the terminal output of fdisk...
knoppix@Microknoppix:~$ fdisk -l /dev/sdh1

Disk /dev/sdh1: 32.5 GB, 32462864384 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 3946 cylinders, total 63404032 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00000000

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
knoppix@Microknoppix:~$

[klaus2008]

You issued "fdisk -l /dev/sdh1" but I suggested "fdisk -l /dev/sdh". The comand I suggested would give information about the whole drive /dev/sdh and not only about the partition /dev/sdh1. I thought it would be helpful to see the full description of that drive including the partition table.

[Karibu]

fdisk -l /dev/sdh gives no output at all.


knoppix@Microknoppix:~$ fdisk -l /dev/sdh
knoppix@Microknoppix:~$ fdisk -l /dev/sdh
knoppix@Microknoppix:~$ fdisk -l /dev/sdh
knoppix@Microknoppix:~$ fdisk -l /dev/sdhI thought, because the Filesystem manager finds the flash drive under "/media/sdh1". I had to use sdh1!

[Karibu]

For better understanding what I mean:
Screenshot shows Filemanager/Installer identifying USB
flash drive as sdh1/sdh and 'fdisk' shows different size than Installer.

[klaus2008]

I think that the command "fdisk -l /dev/sdh" fails because the HP USB drive has no partition table. It seems there is only one large partition on the USB drive.

Maybe it is sufficient to overwrite the the first 512 bytes of /dev/sdh with zeroes and to use gparted for the creation of a partition table. When I create a virtual HDD for a virtual machine gparted always complains about a missing partition table and that program provides a menu entry to create a new partition table. Afterwards I am able to create new partitions.

Since you were able to install and boot Knoppix 7.0.2, I think that you have modified the USB drive before or during the install of Knoppix 7.0.3 in a way that the partition table was removed.

[Karibu]

RE.: ....have modified the USB drive before or during the install of Knoppix....
If I start the 'Knoppix install KNOPPIX to flash disk' I'm asked to format or not. I always answer YES and let the installer prepare the USB flash.

GParted (running from Knoppix 7.0.3Live DVD) does not find the device. When started in Terminal with command 'sudo gparted' I got this:
knoppix@Microknoppix:~$ sudo gparted ====================== libparted : 2.3 ====================== Could not determine physical sector size for /dev/sdh. Using the logical sector size (512). Invalid argument during seek for read on /dev/sdhPS.: with Linux Mint installation on my HDD I have none of these issues, with this same USB stick

[Karibu]

To find out what the reason might be for this issue - either a defect USB flash disk or different behaviour of the USB Installer in the various Versions of Knoppix 7.xx I tried the following:

1) From V 7.0.2 Live DVD: "KNOPPIX to flash disk" to HP 32GB USB flash drive OK!
2) From V 7.0.3 Live CD: "KNOPPIX to flash disk" to HP 32GB USB flash drive FAILED!
3) From V 7.0.3 Live DVD: "KNOPPIX to flash disk" to HP 32GB USB flash drive FAILED!
4) From V 7.0.3 Live CD: "KNOPPIX to flash disk" to NN 16GB USB flash drive OK!
5) From V 7.0.3 Live DVD: "KNOPPIX to flash disk" to NN 16GB USB flash drive OK!

FAILED relates to the issue dicussed in this thread.

To me, interesting enough, it seems for V7.03 that there is a problem with the capacity of the flash disk, rather than the functioality of the USB device.
I have no idea how that could be, Klaus, and I don't know if this is of any relevance. I only thought it would be convenient for me to have a large USB disk so I could have another multi-purpose partition on it. Basically I can live with the 16GB flash disk but out of curiosity I would like to know how it comes to that limitation - in case it is so.

PS.:
In all cases I formatted the whole flash with one FAT 32 partition before starting the Knoppix installer.

[Capricorny]

To find out what the reason might be for this issue - either a defect USB flash disk or different behaviour of the USB Installer in the various Versions of Knoppix 7.xx I tried the following:

1) From V 7.0.2 Live DVD: "KNOPPIX to flash disk" to HP 32GB USB flash drive OK!
2) From V 7.0.3 Live CD: "KNOPPIX to flash disk" to HP 32GB USB flash drive FAILED!
3) From V 7.0.3 Live DVD: "KNOPPIX to flash disk" to HP 32GB USB flash drive FAILED!
4) From V 7.0.3 Live CD: "KNOPPIX to flash disk" to NN 16GB USB flash drive OK!
5) From V 7.0.3 Live DVD: "KNOPPIX to flash disk" to NN 16GB USB flash drive OK!

FAILED relates to the issue dicussed in this thread.

To me, interesting enough, it seems for V7.03 that there is a problem with the capacity of the flash disk, rather than the functioality of the USB device.
I have no idea how that could be, Klaus, and I don't know if this is of any relevance. I only thought it would be convenient for me to have a large USB disk so I could have another multi-purpose partition on it. Basically I can live with the 16GB flash disk but out of curiosity I would like to know how it comes to that limitation - in case it is so.

PS.:
In all cases I formatted the whole flash with one FAT 32 partition before starting the Knoppix installer.

I don't think it's the size.
Have you tried with the old fart fdisk

sudo fdisk /dev/sdh

Then delete anything that exists there, create a new partition, set type to "c", write partition table to disk and then reformat?
Myself, I have hade some problems with large sticks, in particular USB3. Using them in a USB2 port may work better, for instance.
You can also check reading/writing to the disk before running flash-knoppix, and keave the formatting out.

[Karibu]

I don't think it's the size.
Have you tried with the old fart fdisk

sudo fdisk /dev/sdh

Then delete anything that exists there, create a new partition, set type to "c", write partition table to disk and then reformat?
Myself, I have hade some problems with large sticks, in particular USB3. Using them in a USB2 port may work better, for instance.
You can also check reading/writing to the disk before running flash-knoppix, and keave the formatting out.

...but until now I spent hours and I got tired of chasing a phantom...

@Capricorny
I followed your advice but without success..
I'm not an expert in Software and I still think there is a difference in the 'flash knoppix' of the different versions, V7.03DVD/CD and V7.02!

I close the case for me and run 7.03 from 8GB or 16GB USB flash drives!
:(

[Capricorny]

...but until now I spent hours and I got tired of chasing a phantom...

@Capricorny
I followed your advice but without success..
I'm not an expert in Software and I still think there is a difference in the 'flash knoppix' of the different versions, V7.03DVD/CD and V7.02!

I close the case for me and run 7.03 from 8GB or 16GB USB flash drives!
:(

Another alternative might be to downgrade some USB package(s) to 7.0.2 versions? I have used 64GB sticks with 7.0.3 myself, and regularly use 32GB, so it is surely not the size in itself. I think it may be a combination of brand and software versions. You might file this as a bug somewhere upstream - I don't think Klaus K's dispositions has got anything to do with this.

I'd also like to note that recent USB sticks are not at all created equal. I happened to buy some Corsair USB3 32 GB sticks I don't fully rely upon - online user reports indicate a very large error rate.

[Karibu]

might be to downgrade some USB package(s) to 7.0.2 versions?OK, one more try...it's probably worth it...But I don't know how to do that - Could you give me a hand and more details. please?
:confused:

[Capricorny]

I'm no expert on such issues, so I can just give some general advice:

1. It may be something done with the kernel, and one way of getting some idea about that, is booting 7.0.2 with 7.0.3 kernel: Will your USB stick still work in 7.0.2 then?
If you boot from sticks, you may replace 7.0.2 linux with 7.0.3 linux on one stick. (Is it in /boot/syslinux?) I think I just accidentally tried that, and the system got up and running - but I haven't tried it out. IF this is the case, you might consider installing the 7.0.2 kernel. (Is it 3.3.7 vs 3.4.4?) The safest may be to replace 7.0.3 minirt.gz too, but I'm not sure if you have to.

2. If .deb package versions are identical, the content should be. So for a longshot, you might try


dpkg-query -W --showformat='${Section} ${Package} ${Version} \n' | grep "usb" > knx702-usb.txt

Then do the same with 7.0.3, and, for example, take the diff of the two listings. You could also take a complete package/version diff, just drop the grepping pipe in the command. (Strictly speaking, this should be done with unmodified systems.)

3. Klaus K's own packages might be a joker here. I suspect that some of the packages not installable by apt may be version-specific.

4. If you find downgrade candidates, I would think the best thing to do is downloading the old .deb version and install it "manually", with dpkg. But I'm not sure.
I would have checked out if there are error reports like the one you might file. And if any kind of fix is suggested. Remember to report make and model of the stick.

[Karibu]

I'm no expert on such issues, so I can just give some general advice:

1. It may be something done with the kernel, and one way of getting some idea about that, is booting 7.0.2 with 7.0.3 kernel: Will your USB stick still work in 7.0.2 then?
If you boot from sticks, you may replace 7.0.2 linux with 7.0.3 linux on one stick. (Is it in /boot/syslinux?) I think I just accidentally tried that, and the system got up and running - but I haven't tried it out. IF this is the case, you might consider installing the 7.0.2 kernel. (Is it 3.3.7 vs 3.4.4?) The safest may be to replace 7.0.3 minirt.gz too, but I'm not sure if you have to.

Partial succes...
I installed to USB flash (a 32 GB USB stick identified in the BIOS Boot sequence as "hp v165 w") from V7.0.2 (with Kernel 3.3.7) Live DVD,
then I replaced /boot/syslinux of this installation with the whole folder /syslinux which I copied from V7.0.3 (with Kernel 3.4.4) Live DVD,
then I rebooted and the system found Knoppix on sdh1 and booted with no complains,
EXCEPT there is no Network connection possible any more, neither Wired nor Wireless, although, V7.0.3 (with Kernel 3.4.4) works on my 16GB USB!


2. If .deb package versions are identical, the content should be. So for a longshot, you might try

Code:
dpkg-query -W --showformat='${Section} ${Package} ${Version} \n' | grep "usb" > knx702-usb.txt
Then do the same with 7.0.3, and, for example, take the diff of the two listings. You could also take a complete package/version diff, just drop the grepping pipe in the command. (Strictly speaking, this should be done with unmodified systems.)

3. Klaus K's own packages might be a joker here. I suspect that some of the packages not installable by apt may be version-specific.

4. If you find downgrade candidates, I would think the best thing to do is downloading the old .deb version and install it "manually", with dpkg. But I'm not sure.
I would have checked out if there are error reports like the one you might file. And if any kind of fix is suggested. Remember to report make and model of the stick. All of this by far exceeds my capabilities and knowledge of the command line usage. In my humble opinion, there must be an inconistancy between the two versions 7.0.2 and 7.0.3 which I'm not able to figure out.
So long and thanks for the support, maybe there is a solution someday...until then I either stick to V7.0.2 on 32GB USB or V7.0.3 on >=16GB ... not decided yet...

[klaus2008]

EXCEPT there is no Network connection possible any more, neither Wired nor WirelessI think that you have to replace the large KNOPPIX file in the KNOPPIX folder with the one from Knoppix 7.0.3. In that file are kernel modules included for the network cards for the Linux kernel 3.4.4.

[Capricorny]

Karibu, I think you just proved that it is not the kernel, it is upgrading some package. If you want to use 3.4.4 kernel with 7.0.2, klaus2008's advice about kernel modules may be exactly what you need, but this exercise was just for testing, not for surgical kernel upgrade.

I think you may safely file a bug report now. But exact model of USB stick must be reported, and the usb package versions in 7.0.2 and 7.0.3 would be fine, too. (Maybe I can help you with that.)

I'm not so sure your command line skills are that modest, but what I suggested was quite a mouthful :) I could carry it out myself, but I somehow lack the strong motivation, as all my sticks seem to work in 7.0.3. I really appreciate your determination - until enough is enough.

Sent from ordinary 64-bits Ubuntu 12.04 HD install running in chrooted VM, base system Knoppix 7.0.3

[Karibu]

.....replace the large KNOPPIX file in the KNOPPIX folder with the one from Knoppix 7.0.3. In that file are kernel modules...for the Linux kernel 3.4.4.
OK, there we are...not very sophisticated. but it works:)

Note:
The applied method does not take in consideration any consequences on KK's special packaging for V7.0.3 but only has now a V7.0.2 Installation with Kernel 3.4.4

Task:
Install V7.0.3 to 32 GB USB flash drive - HP V165W -

Preparations:
--- insert V7.0.3 Live DVD (Kernel 3.4.4)
--- copy /KNOPPIX/boot/isolinux to a neutral place
--- copy /KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX to the same
--- eject V7.0.3 Live DVD

Installation:
--- boot from V7.0.2 Live DVD (Kernel 3.3.7)
--- insert flash drive
--- start Knoppix "Install KNOPPIX to flash disk"

When finished:
--- replace isolinux(7.0.2) and KNOPPIX(7.0.2) with the same files of version 7.0.3 as saved earlier.
--- reboot

Sytem installed as V7.0.2 runs now with Kernel 3.4.4.

[Karibu]

I think you may safely file a bug report now. But exact model of USB stick must be reported, and the usb package versions in 7.0.2 and 7.0.3 would be fine, too. (Maybe I can help you with that.)
[/SIZE]
Hi Capricorny,
I appreciate your inputs and I come back to your offer to help with a bug report. The main reason is that, in fact, I'm only interested in the lighter V703 CD (- I'm not a gamer and I'm not a SW developer, so I really don't need all those packages at all -) where I have the same KNOPPIX installer issue.

Here some details:


All info from V7.0.3 Live DVD

1) System/Kernel info

knoppix@Microknoppix:~$ uname -ar
Linux Microknoppix 3.4.4 #14 SMP PREEMPT Sat Jun 23 20:07:21 CEST 2012 i686 GNU/Linux
knoppix@Microknoppix:~$

2) ID of HP v165W 32GB USB drive

knoppix@Microknoppix:~$ lsusb
Bus 001 Device 010: ID 03f0:5307 Hewlett-Packard
knoppix@Microknoppix:~$

3) Installed USB packages

knoppix@Microknoppix:~$ dpkg -l usb*
||/ Name Version Description
+++-=====================-=====================-================================================== ========
ii usb-modeswitch 1.2.3+repack0-1 mode switching tool for controlling "flip flop" USB device
ii usb-modeswitch-data 20120529-1 mode switching data for usb-modeswitch
un usb-modeswitch-data-p <none> (no description available)
ii usbmuxd 1.0.7-2 USB multiplexor daemon for iPhone and iPod Touch devices
ii usbutils 1:005-3 Linux USB utilities
knoppix@Microknoppix:~$

4) Version details not possible because

knoppix@Microknoppix:~$ sudo apt-get install apt-show-versions
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package apt-show-versions
knoppix@Microknoppix:~$

--->apt-show version not available?

I have no experience in bug reports. What do I have to do?

[Capricorny]

I must say that it is only the kernel per se that can be ruled out - but it shouldn't be hard to check the suspected kernel modules either.

As for packages, the method I sketched gave three differences:


> comm usb-modeswitch-data 20120529-1
> libs libusb-0.1-4 2:0.1.12-23
> libs libusb-1.0-0 2:1.0.11-1The other package versions were the same:


< comm usb-modeswitch 1.2.3+repack0-1
< libs libusbmuxd1 1.0.7-2
< libs libusbredirparser0 0.4.3-2
< utils usbmuxd 1.0.7-2
< utils usbutils 1:005-3
< x11 xserver-xorg-video-sisusb 1:0.9.4-3 It was only for this I offered help - have no experience with Debian bug reporting...

[Karibu]

It was only for this I offered help - have no experience with Debian bug reporting...

OK,
Thank you...

maybe I'm the only person having this issue pending....
or maybe somebody else, with more experience, can take over...

[Capricorny]

Because of the sparse population of Knoppix7.0.3*HP 32 GB stick, you may be the only one having experienced this - which doesn't make it any less a bug. And the person to experience a bug, is the who should file it.
As I wrote, you should maybe try try 3.4.4 on 7.0.2 with 3.4.4 USB-related modules too, if you haven't. Three obvious candidates are usb_storage, usbhid and hid, but there may be more.

[Karibu]

Because of the sparse population ..............- which doesn't make it any less a bug. And the person to experience a bug, is the who should file it.

The lack of deeper understanding and knowledge in that matter I just don't feel competent to do so. There might be the chance that some other HP fan might jump in. So long I use a NN 8GB stick, that's fine with me right now...

[Karibu]

Re.: The Mystery USB-flash Disk which works with V702 but does not work with V703!

I just wonder...
Am I really the only one who tries to install KnoppixV703 on the HP (Device 010: ID 03f0:5307 Hewlett-Packard) 32GB USB flash disk?

Despite the relatively high volume in views to this thread, there is still no hint
for a solution so far.....?

PS.:
I tried to figure out what packages, related to USB controller or USB device recognition, are different in V702 and V703, but as I already mentioned, I'm just not educated/experienced enough to find that out.

[Capricorny]

PS.:
I tried to figure out what packages, related to USB controller or USB device recognition, are different in V702 and V703, but as I already mentioned, I'm just not educated/experienced enough to find that out.

I just showed you three of them, not necessarily all, but a place to start.



As for packages, the method I sketched gave three differences:



> comm usb-modeswitch-data 20120529-1
> libs libusb-0.1-4 2:0.1.12-23
> libs libusb-1.0-0 2:1.0.11-1

[Karibu]

I just showed you three of them, not necessarily all, but a place to start.
Yes I know, but here is the problem...I just don't know what to start with from there.
This does not help me to understand why the V702 packages

libs libusb-0.1-4: 2:0.1.12-21,
libs libusb-1.0-0: 2:1.0.9-1,
usb-modeswitch-data: 2012012-1can handle the HP 32GB stick and the newer ones can't.

[sredmon]

I tried installing cd version of 7.0.3 on two Corsair Flash Voyager 8gb sticks and get the same error as Karibu: lseek:invalid arguement, etc. If I open gparted in the livecd after the failed installation, it does not detect the usb stick. If I reboot into a different linux distro, gparted detects the usb stick. I have successfully installed another linux distro on one of the usb sticks, so that indicates that the problem is not with the stick (?).

Any resolution to this problem?

[sredmon]

Never able to install 7.0.3 on my flash drive, I downloaded 7.0.4CD release with anticipation that whatever had prevented installation was corrected. I started the flash installer, reformatted the flash drive, watched the installation proceed further than it had with 7.0.3, but then a new error message:
cp:reading 'KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX': input/output error
cp:failed to extend '/tmp/flash-knoppix.3213.tmpmount/KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX': input/output error
This happened on two different flash drives. I was able to install 6.7.1 on a flash drive, but not 7.0.3 or 7.0.4.

Can anyone help?

[Capricorny]

Have you been able to install another current Debian-family distro on the stick(s)? As is documented earlier in this thread, there are/have been problems with some library versions. Your 7.0.3 vs 7.0.4 experiences may indicate that this has been worked on, but is still not fixed.

[sredmon]

Capricorny, thank you for your reply. I have not tried another Debian distro, but will do so today. With Knoppix I tried "Install Knoppix to flash disk" which I assumed was a special flash drive installer. Maybe that is not true and it simply targets a usb drive vs HD?
I did not note that I previously installed 6.7.1 successfully with the flash installer. Also, I was able to install 7.0.4 using Unetbootin, though it runs slower than the 6.7.1 installation. Would that be Unetbootin or a difference between 6.7.1 and 7.0.4?

[Capricorny]

I think the "flash install" without formatting actually is just writing a boot record plus copying the ordinary set of Knoppix system files. Eventuallly creating knoppix-data.img.
The libraries used in unetbootin are probably different from current standard Debian, so you could therefore use them for writing to the stick. When Knoppix boots, but runs slowly, that may indicate I/O problems, again from the current Debian utilities being used. So my guess is that you observe a 6.7.1/7.0.4-difference, unetbootin may not be involved at all.

[sredmon]

Have you been able to install another current Debian-family distro on the stick(s)?

I tried installing Debian 6 to flash drive and during partitioning procedure had this message: Error informing the kernel about modification to partition /dev/sdd2 -- Device or resource busy. This means Linux won't know about any changes you made to /dev/sdd2 until you reboot -- so you shouldn't mount it or use it in any way before rebooting.

I am not experienced enough to know if this is part of the problem with "library versions" or something different.

Re slowness of 7.0.4 vs 6.7.1, seems like it might be CPU usage issue.

[Capricorny]

Re slowness of 7.0.4 vs 6.7.1, seems like it might be CPU usage issue.

CPU usage upon device handling reflects the software runnig, be it kernel modules, libraries or application code. And my guess is that if you do something that ONLY engages kernel modules, like initial booting, you will seldom have any slowdown with newer kernel modules.

[sredmon]

CPU usage upon device handling reflects the software runnig, be it kernel modules, libraries or application code.

I use current Firefox with several security/privacy add-ons, current Thunderbird with IMAP account, and Dropbox. That probably explains high CPU usage?

[Capricorny]

I use current Firefox with several security/privacy add-ons, current Thunderbird with IMAP account, and Dropbox. That probably explains high CPU usage?

Sure it may - but with enough RAM, that should work out about the same regardless of installs. That is, unless there is an aggressive cache-writing/reading policy in place that effectively circumvents the Linux kernel's RAM-caching. In that case, we might se a double effect, both direct CPU usage and indirect through inefficient reading/writing. USB handling has traditionally tended to be rather CPU-intensive in any case.

[sredmon]

Capricorny, thank you for your replies to my questions. At this point, I probably should start another thread on the slowness problem. Re my inability to use the flash installer to install 7.0.4 to a usb stick, I will go back to using 6.7.1 and hope the installation problem is solved by the next Knoppix release.