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Running Linux from Xternal HD
Hi guys..
I'm trying to get learn Linux. I have laptop running XP Pro and i'm thinging of buying an external (USB) hard drive and load Linux in it.
Will this external HD act just like a partition ??
Can this external drive act as a bootable drive ??
These external hd's cost nearly $100.. just want to know before i actually buy one.
Thanks :)
I'm trying to get learn Linux. I have laptop running XP Pro and i'm thinging of buying an external (USB) hard drive and load Linux in it.
Will this external HD act just like a partition ??
Can this external drive act as a bootable drive ??
These external hd's cost nearly $100.. just want to know before i actually buy one.
Thanks :)
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I'd say it should be quite possible, but will need some poking to run:
The basic setup would be to install some fairly new Linux (e.g. RedHat 9.1) on the external HDD and then configuring your machine to dual-boot (using the XP to take care of that).
As Glenn mention, the big question is whether the hard&firmware will support the new drive as bootable.
I started out just like you, but perhaps a bit simpler: I just bought a used HDD for my laptop and installed Linux directly on that, - i.e. I physically swap disks when I want to swap OS.
Of course this gave me the disadvantage of not being able to share files between the two OS's, but on the other hand, I could play with the dangerous toys, like parted (somethin like Partition Magic) and dd (a mean low-level copy function) without risking my precious serious data getting messed up or deleted.
The basic setup would be to install some fairly new Linux (e.g. RedHat 9.1) on the external HDD and then configuring your machine to dual-boot (using the XP to take care of that).
As Glenn mention, the big question is whether the hard&firmware will support the new drive as bootable.
I started out just like you, but perhaps a bit simpler: I just bought a used HDD for my laptop and installed Linux directly on that, - i.e. I physically swap disks when I want to swap OS.
Of course this gave me the disadvantage of not being able to share files between the two OS's, but on the other hand, I could play with the dangerous toys, like parted (somethin like Partition Magic) and dd (a mean low-level copy function) without risking my precious serious data getting messed up or deleted.
have a check here to see this can help https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20779360/mounting-usb-hard-disk.html#9648756
Thanks Paul for the illustration of some of the frustration one might get into(:-), and the type of things one might need do to get things working.
RedHat has never released any 9.1 version, but apart from that I'd have to agree with Sven that you'd probably be best of with as new a kernel as possible (which leads to getting as new a distribution of linux as possible), since you're likely to have better-working usb support (and hotplug support).
I've seen to many HDs toasted by continually swapping them to boot different OSes (usually a problem with "low-grade" IDE caddies) to really recommend that path... But of course it does work:-).
BTW Sven, you in Scandinavia? I'm in Stockholm (at least when I work:).
-- Glenn
RedHat has never released any 9.1 version, but apart from that I'd have to agree with Sven that you'd probably be best of with as new a kernel as possible (which leads to getting as new a distribution of linux as possible), since you're likely to have better-working usb support (and hotplug support).
I've seen to many HDs toasted by continually swapping them to boot different OSes (usually a problem with "low-grade" IDE caddies) to really recommend that path... But of course it does work:-).
BTW Sven, you in Scandinavia? I'm in Stockholm (at least when I work:).
-- Glenn
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The reason noone mentioned loadlin is because it needs operate in REAL mode, so this precludes a boot XP. Unless someone has started working on loadlin again, and solved those problems:-).
Knoppix (http://www.knoppix.net) could be a viable option, but then with only swap and "user data" stored on the USB drive. Still is a very nice Linux-Live-CD.
As for HD swapping: Sure it works. Most of the times. If you're careful when you remove the drive (ie does as the manual tells you to... and be sure it has come to a full stop before fully removing it;). So it might be me you shouldn't be listening to:-).
That is (of course) provided your laptop is equiped with a removable hd caddy.
-- Glenn
Knoppix (http://www.knoppix.net) could be a viable option, but then with only swap and "user data" stored on the USB drive. Still is a very nice Linux-Live-CD.
As for HD swapping: Sure it works. Most of the times. If you're careful when you remove the drive (ie does as the manual tells you to... and be sure it has come to a full stop before fully removing it;). So it might be me you shouldn't be listening to:-).
That is (of course) provided your laptop is equiped with a removable hd caddy.
-- Glenn
ASKER
Thanks a lot guys... appreciate all your answers.
Think i'm gonna split-up my HDD and do a minimum installation.
Think i'm gonna split-up my HDD and do a minimum installation.
ASKER
Thanks :)