G'day to all:

I would like to remove a SATA hard drive running Linux Mint from a desktop computer, mount it in an external USB case, attach it to a Dell laptop and boot into the Linux drive on that laptop. I will eventually re-install the Linux drive in my desktop. Are there any dangers in doing this? Will I be compromising the integrity of my Linux drive at all? Based on my understanding of how Linux works (granted, it's limited) everything should be okay. Just want to make sure so as to avoid any weeping and gnashing of teeth. Thanks.

It's worth a whirl if you don't mind slow disc access. Hit thye boot option in the power up sequence and tell it to boot from usb - that should be ok. I wouldn't like to see things left that way long term. X mightn't start, but that's different..

Thanks BK for your response. When you say X might not start do you mean only on the laptop or would that result in problems when reinstalling the drive back into the desktop as well?

I was thinking of systems that automatically boot X. X would complain mightily but might go with no configuration

it's very unlikely you have the same video card in both machines. that's why X may be a problem. you may also end up having to reinstall the boot loader.

Well, it's a long story as to why I wanted to do this but I think I'll make do without it. Thank you to all.

Hello, Any...

In a thread like this one, would it be better to mark the result (ie the Subject line of first post) with RENEG, or DUMPED, or DMP, or DROPPED, or FZL (ie fizzle), or FZLD (ie fizzled), or RET (ie retracted or retired)?

Reason? Well, it is pretty obvious (from the thread not my offer) that there is no conclusion on the original request. In fact, it has been - in effect - withdrawn.

So, WDRAW? STOPD? FIN? RAZR? PRE-EJ?

NULL?

This is NOT meant to be an attack on kenb1000, or a slight in ANY way. kenb1000 has come to a satisfactory conclusion that suits him (her?). That happens naturally to anyone.

I looked into this thread because it said "solved" - but it wasn't really.

Since the thread is "wasted" now (still no offence meant to anyone) would anyone else like to respond and comment in here - in order to use up the excess space, now left over? No point in wasting THAT!

Regards,
boombaby

@boombaby I see your point. However, based on the responses I received I decided it was not worth jeopardizing my Linux drive to be able to boot it from a USB connection on a "foreign" computer and use it this way on a regular basis - although it certainly would have been convenient for me.

I was thinking that when Linux boots it goes through a hardware ID process and could make changes "on the fly," so to speak, loading drivers and adapting to the new hardware. Apparently that is not the case. So, I suppose this was more of a question than a problem. Semantics? Perhaps. :^)

The kernel is pretty good at booting to console level (Runlevel 3 usually), all the more so with distro kernels, which really pack the modules in.

It's not the same with X (Runlevel 5) unless you do very careful and extended setting up.

@BK If I understand you correctly, this means I could use the drive from the command line but probably not easily from X (?).

If all you do is change the physical location of the OS media there exists only a few naming issues usually. This assumes you have the required support for that new attachment. This also assumes that you know how to fix it.

I think on Opensuse they said something like one of two ways. Either make things generic before you move it or fix the unique naming later.

To boot to this external gizmo it will have to be a fully supported boot model. A few few are not.

Then you'd select this new location by bios or F key. The normal boot loader would try to follow it's prior paths. That may fail but you can fix that later. Should be almost no danger to this task as such. Just ESD and connection pin deal.

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@jefro Thanks for the additional insights. I'll do a bit more research on this before proceeding. At least now I know what to look for.

I have experience transferring a dual boot hard drive to another computer after motherboard died. I was curious. The Linux partition worked without adjustment of settings or anything. I thought it was pretty wicked so I was chuckling. It was just like a live USB. The Windows partition would only boot in safe mode and had to be reinstalled.

Well! I must say, you lot. Those last few posts rounded out the thread PERFECTLY. Now I, too, have a much better understanding of swapping drives and (possibly) using an external setup too.

I withdraw (WDRAW) my comments - totally.

Now, would someone else like to chip in, so my name doesn't rest as last post in the thread. kenb1000 ?

Yes, that's what I was saying. That's my experience. I boot to console level by choice.