I run a live (read-only) USB flash Ubuntu boot. The tool I used to create it is designed for USB flash, but I want the exact same boot on a USB HD.

How is Ubuntu run live on a HD partition?

Is there a 'frugal' install option?

I would just try to use the same boot image. Probably works.

I'll check. I know about frugal from Puppy but have not seen it elsewhere.


Not sure what you mean. Tools implement custom boots. Technically I could clone the USB to the HD partition, but that's not how I want to boot. I'm trying to manually create a live boot.

The USB flash tool I use boots the solid Ubuntu .iso. but the bootloader for the .iso?

Normally a single distro resides on it's own partition, but with USB tools we can boot multiple distros on the same partition without installing any of them. That's my goal for an external HD partition.

If you're trying to use a hd in a usb caddy, give up. There's something in the chips used that prevents it.

General instructions:
Copy iso to drive
Create a boot directory on drive, run grub-install —boot-directory=/<mount point of drive>/boot
Create a custom grub-config to boot the iso

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Ventoy on the external drive?

Why bother??? If you have an external hard drive, just do a standard installation on it. It's a hard drive...boot from it. No need for frugal/live/persistence.

@ jaslinux: You've had enough advice. Try something and report back. Don't try a sata drive via the usb port. I already pointedout it doesn't work.

I hate to disagree with you here, business_kid, but I've had it work just fine for me. Can install/boot easily (providing the system can USB boot, that is). There may be SOME enclosures that have problems, but I've done this at least three times with no issues. I'd say it's worth a try at the very least.

What 100% WILL work, is if the OP takes that hard drive, plugs it directly into their system, and does a 'normal' install. Putting it into the caddy after that will absolutely boot/work.

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Fine to disagree with me and let me revise that: SOME ENCLOSURES don't work - like every one I've bought. Maybe better liuck is had with 3.5" enclosures and their separate supplies.

I still feel the OP should try something at this stage.

Hello business_kid, you've obviously been very unlucky, all my external drives have booted up without problems, I even just use USB to SATA cables which also 'just work'.

Oh, I don't dispute that there are some cheap ones out there that probably use hardware bought from the back of someones car. The three I've tried (granted, not a huge sample size), have all worked with SSD's just fine. I don't think it's a voltage issue, but more about the SATA to USB bridge chips used. Never hurts to try, and the OP can always just shove the drive into their computer and do an install as normal, then put the drive back into the enclosure. Should have a bootable USB drive at that point.

I've had poor luck with 2.5" enclosures.

I've never had a problem with Sabrent 2.5" enclosures (I've got five)