Boot from USB hard drive - is this possible?
 

Hi,

I'm a complete Newbie to Linux...only just started downloading ISO's for live CD's to evaluate Distro's, got some books and started digging on the net and learning slowly.

Question;
Is it possible to install Linux onto a USB hard drive then run it as a full installation, as I am cacking myself at the thought of partitioning the HD in the PC?

I've tried Googling and come up with lots of fragments but nothing whole...that I can understand.

I currently have Windows XP, which I've got to keep as my Wife panics at the thought of not having it!

I've checked and I can boot from USB.

Also, if this can be done, is it possible to have the USB drive as a kind of seperate PC...i.e. saving files etc?

Or, would it be easier to fit a second, internal, HDD?

Bit long winded, but all help appreciated and, as I get more Au Faix with Linux I hope to be able to contribute more to these forums.

Booting Linux from a usb drive is definetely possible. Read this.
Still, it would be easier to use an internal drive.