Installing on a HD external USB

Bosnja · 01-15-2008, 08:43 AM

Hello all. Here's my doubt: a friend of mine has bought a new computer and she wants to install Linux (maybe Ubuntu or a old version of Fedora). But she wants to install it on a USB external harddisk. The questions are:
- Is it possible to install Linux on a HD which is external from USB? She can't install it on the HD in the computer or add another HD (her brother owns the PC and he doesn't allow her).
- If it is possible, do you know any model compatible with Linux?

Thank you so much

Lenard · 01-15-2008, 09:28 AM

Most new computer systems support booting from USB attached hard drives, so this would not be a problem. The only cavet is to make sure the Linux distribution chosen installs the bootloader entirely (the MBR section in particular) to the external USB hard drive and leave the internal hard drives MBR alone and untouched.

99.99% of all USB external hard drives are compatible with Linux.

Bosnja · 01-16-2008, 01:50 PM

Thank you so much, Lenard.

But I can also install the bootloader on a CD, or a disk, can't it?

Thanks you very much.

Lenard · 01-16-2008, 02:14 PM

One can install a bootloader on a CD or floppy or USB memory or ?????? just depends on the distribution selected, documentation and skill level.