hello guys i am wondering what are some must have iso’s for a ventoy drive? and what size ventoy drive would you recomend (i am considering buying a 512gb, 1tb or 2tb tranced 220s nvme)

Back story: So i recently started my own “business” in computer support and i need a drive to put ventoy on (its currently on a 32gb micro sd card) so i can easily have memtest, ultimatebootcd and some linux distro’s/windows install media and i am wondering if there would be any reason not to go with the cheapest per gb drive(2tb) as i could then also use it for some nice snappy file transfers. I am also looking to compile a list of iso’s to put on it. As i mentioned before i already have a few things but you guys probably have more suggestions for iso’s to put on a drive for repair\troubleshooting.

Thanks in advance for your advice on drive size and ISO recommendations.

  • CoatGhost@lemmy.worldEnglish
    20·
    1 year ago

    So for me (also do IT/Security consulting and repair) I have:

    • Clonezilla (multiple versions for different CPU architecture as well as x86 and x64 boards
    • DBAN (only for HDDs)
    • Hirens Boot CD (for Window OS repair/password resets)
    • GParted (same setup as Clonezilla)
    • Kali Linux (for security auditing and malware analyzation)
    • Puppy Linux (for general stuff/data rescue on old computers/anything I need to boot into RAM for)
    • TAILS (it is intended for heavy privacy and security but I actually don’t really use it, but it’s small so I leave it on there)
    • SystemRescue (Linux distro for all sorts of rescue purposes)
    • Sometimes a Windows install/recovery ISO (per need basis, typically Hirens solves recovery stuff so I rarely go this route for recovery)

    EDIT: Also have two versions (x86 and x64) of AntiX for general purpose stuff. Boots into RAM like puppy but I find it a little more useful.

    I have these running on a 128 (I think, might be bigger) flash drive that I actually have looped on my keychain. I have found that 90% of the things I need to do can be done from that, and having it on my keys means I always have it ready. Unless I lose my keys for a while that is…

    • noja@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      1 year ago

      Thank you very much for this list! I’m just now getting started in this kind of world. I was always a hobbyist but I’ve started doing a little IT on the side now and I love seeing peoples tools.

      • CoatGhost@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        1 year ago

        Not a problem, I enjoy passing down knowledge even though I am still relatively new in the field as well (5 ish years). Good luck with the business! Don’t get discouraged if it starts slow, don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t know how to do something yet, and never stop learning.

  • lyoko@lemm.eeEnglish
    13·
    1 year ago

    Not really for ventoy but have you heard about medicat ? I have bookmarked it for sometime now but never had a chance to try.

    Edit: medicat also supports ventoy

      • plotting_homelab@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
        2·
        1 year ago

        Ama

        I am wondering is there any way i can add my own iso’s to a medicat drive? like is it just like the ventoy installer and can i than just use it as a preinstalled ventoy drive to put my own live iso/windows install media on it? or is it 1 drive only for medicat?

        (btw i disabled my add blocker when reading your message about the only way to keep the site running i like this kind of hey i noticed you are running an add blocker kind of message and just wanted to support with adds)

        Edit i found a typo on your site: https://medicatusb.com/docs/installation/supported-drives/ “We SRONGLY suggest” i think you meant STRONGLY

      • FutileRecipe@lemmy.worldEnglish
        31·
        1 year ago

        this is exactly why i posted this. I learned some new tool

        Me, too. I’ve never tried Ventoy. I usually use Rufus or some other app.

    • lps2@lemmy.mlEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Is it still aimed primarily at HDDs or does it have SSD utilities now? As I understand it, most of its wiping methods are/we’re geared toward HDDs

      • CoatGhost@lemmy.worldEnglish
        5·
        1 year ago

        DBAN is for HDDs and using it for an SSD is not really worth the effort. If the SSD manufacturer does not provide a wiping tool (Samsung does for the EVOs) and you need to make sure the data is wiped, you better crack it open like a clam shell and destroy the board inside. In my opinion you should never sell or give away a used SSD because of that.

  • blackstrat@lemmy.fwgx.ukEnglish
    6·
    1 year ago
    • Clonezilla
    • An Ubuntu live ISO is useful
    • GParted
    • memtest
    • Your favourite Linux distro of choice
    • If you’re running a business for this sort of thing then a few different versions of Windows would probably be useful.
  • dan@upvote.auEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    A build of WinPE, like Sergei Strelec’s one (easily found via Google). Essentially a small version of Windows you can boot into that has a bunch of tools.