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On 21 Oct 2016 13:50, "Lists" <barnaby@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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> I normally use a USB stick when I want to install a new version of Linux. This works fine on my computers. Since the OS on the stick is a 'live' version I can also plug that stick in another computer and run the OS from that. In effect I can carry that OS around with me.
>
> I also have some external hard drives. I am wondering, normally when I install a new version of an OS it goes automatically on to the HD inside the computer. Is it possible to, instead, install that OS onto an external HD? After all, in effect, if I plug in an external HD it becomes like a second HD on the computer.
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> Or am I missing something?
>
> Neil
I did this some years ago and it worked fine; I've no doubt it'll work even better now.
The easiest method I found was to disconnect the internal harddrive(s) before the installation so there would, in effect, only be one harddrive available - the USB drive. Follow the installer, let it install the bootloader on the first available drive (which should be the USB drive since nothing else is connected), and job done.
You might find that once you reconnect the internal harddrive(s) that your USB system doesn't boot properly, but that should be a minor change to the grub configuration on the USB itself (telling grub to use a specific drive and partition, rather than "the first drive we find"), but we can cross that bridge when we get to it.
Grant.
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