Hey All! A Linux Newbie here....I have two computers

1. Desktop: MAC/OSX PPC (G4)[2 HDs a.80GB b.30GB both internal]. I plan to install Debian on this (1)
2. Laptop: Dell 1545, 3GB RAM. I plan to Dual Ubuntu/Vista (grub)

Questions

1. I would like to experiment with Linux From Scratch so as to learn Linux inside-out. Could I install LFS on an EXTERNAL HD I have, and USB it to either of my two computers at will? So as to work on it in different places?

2. Since on Computer 1( above Desktop) I have two HDs, could I install one operating system on one, and another on the other (ex. Debian/Slackware) Note: both of these 2 HDs are internal.

Many thanks!

Hello,

The answer to your second question is yes, you can install an OS on any of the disks, even multiple on one disk, whatever you want to. Just pay attention when you're installing in order to select the correct drive.

I'm not sure about the first questions though. I'd assume that you could install/prepare everything for LFS on an external drive since the LFS book tells you to create a directory for compilation. So up to a certain point you could prepare everything on an external disk.

I've been looking around on Google for this and found the following links:
http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/pipe...ne/027363.html
http://www.mail-archive.com/lfs-supp.../msg12956.html
which might be very interesting for your project.

Kind regards,

Eric

Eric, Many Many thanks. 1. Great I look forward to having two Distros on my Destkop. 2. Novice Question: In what way is (a) being able to boot an OS(LFS etc) from an External HD (via USB) different from (b)GRUB choosing to boot an OS from an Internal HD?

Hi,

No problem. Basically the process is the same when booting from an USB external drive. However, you'll have to take into consideration your BIOS setup. You'll have to either change the BIOS setup to look for USB bootable devices first and next the internal hard disks. Then of course if you want to boot from internal disk you'll have to make sure that your USB drive is disconnected.

Also, as pointed out in one of the links I posted, you'll have to install a bootloader like GRUB onto your USB drive.

I believe that you could even edit the GRUB configuration on your internal disks to contain a link to the USB drive so that you can select it at bootup, but I'm not sure about that.

Kind regards,

Eric

I think you had better be careful with dual boot's on any machine as a newbie. You may end up damaging your install.

Normally I suggest people run live cd's or virtual machines. While you can run a VM on that it may be too slow for you liking. Might look at live cd's if any exist for a PPC.

What you have is a rather rare device. Most linux distros are dropping ppc support.

I'd look for some good how to's for your exact model or close to your model. Apple stuff is weird.

Jefro, indeed the PPC support is dwindling. As for dualboot,Ive been dual booting Ubuntu/Vista and Slackware/Vista (current) for a little bit and had no problems with install and LILOconfig so hopefully Im ready. The real issue for me at this point is finding a way to fool around with LinuxFromScratch (on my Laptop, portable to Desktop). Just wasn't sure the best setup in which to do this given my two computers with their disk setups as above.

I just wanted to be sure you didn't bork what you already have. Since you feel OK then I am not against it.

I guess it could be possible to get one install to work with both a PPC and a x86. It may take some trick ideas like BeOS used to do to get an x86 and ppc to work. It would not be easy for me but there may be someone that has already performed it.

If you could get to one platform such as running a VM on the PPC to act like an x86 may be a lot easier to get both to be able to work with it.

The only other way might be to use to virtual server online?? Dunno.

I may not exactly understand what you want too. I am thinking that you want to take this drive from place to place like work and home but be able to continue working on your project at each place.