Is It Possible To Install Linux On A USB HD?

Ben Cook2 · 09-27-2006, 02:51 PM

Hi,

Would It Be Possible To Install Linux [Or More Precisely A Distro] On A USB HD As I Have Multiple Systems Which Are All The Same And Want To Use Linux Not Windows Without Touching The Local Drives But Without The Corruption And Speed Issues Of A CD/DVD As I Need It To Be Mobile

Thanks,

Ben

Andrew Benton · 09-27-2006, 03:19 PM

It depends on your BIOS. If you can set your BIOS to boot from a USB device then it should be possible to install a distro on a USB HD

fudam · 09-27-2006, 08:55 PM

There are options you can use to boot off of a different medium (say a CD) and then load the OS from the USB... but that seems silly to me. So yeah, if you're BIOS can't boot then it's mostly a waste of time.

If you can boot from USB then there are several distrubutions that are available. I'm sure some quick googling will give you a list. Back when I tried it (like 6 months ago) there was one distribution that loaded itself onto a USB drive from a Live CD. I don't recall which one right now...

Ben Cook2 · 09-28-2006, 03:14 AM

Yes, My Bios Does Support Booting.

r£vilo · 09-28-2006, 03:22 AM

Then try puppy linux it can fit on a 128mb pen drive with loads of room for docs etc. It is very easy to install onto it:
1. Back up all data from the usb device onto hd or cd etc.
2. boot puppy live cd.
3. start>setup>install puppy on usb drive
4. then follow the wizard
There are quite a few distrobutions you can install to a pen or removable drive if you boot up the install cd and rather than choosing to partition hda do sda.

Ben Cook2 · 09-28-2006, 03:30 AM

Thanks For The Puppy Live CD Solution, r£vilo.