install to external hard drive

android6011 · 07-16-2007, 05:22 AM

I want to install linux to an external hard drive I have. My laptop supports booting from usb and all that, but the way i used to dual boot, my computer went to grub for me to select an OS. the only thing I am not sure what to do, is like how to install it so that it will only go to grub when i boot from my external harddrive, because when the harddrive is not plugged in i dont want any trace of it trying to boot another OS, just go straight to windows. any suggestions?

Simon Bridge · 07-16-2007, 06:23 AM

You install grub to mbr of the external drive.
Set the internal drive next in boot order from the external.

From windows rescue mode (external HDD unplugged) run fixboot.

Now the grub menu will show when the external drive is plugged in and the windows bootloader will appear when it isn't.

fitzov · 07-16-2007, 08:36 AM

If windows is already installed, you don't need to change anything on the primary partition. Install Linux on the external and modify grub so that you can boot the primary. This menu will not come up when booting normally.