Questions about installing Ubuntu to an external 3 TB hard drive
 

I have Ubuntu (latest version) that I installed on a USB drive using Linux Live USB creator. I wanted to make sure that the installation program detected my external drive properly, and showed the correct amount of space on the drive, and it did, and I'm glad about that. I am going to make plans to attempt to install Ubuntu on my external drive after I get back from vacation. I would like some detailed help on installing to an external drive with as few problems as possible. The one thing that I do need to know in advance is where to put the program that loads linux when I turn on my computer. I intend to install linux on my external drive so that it doesn't mess up my windows installation. I know I'm a "newbie", even though I did have Linux on my old Win98 PC, but I need to "get with the program" and run it on my current windows computer. If I've confused you guys in any way, let me know.

typically, you would D/L a ISO, check that the MD5 checksum is ok, & burn that to a DvD,
- don't just 'copy' it to the disk - that won't work.
- depending on your windows version, you may need a ISO-burner program.

once that is done, boot from that disk & not from the hdd,
- you may need to change some settings in bios, to achieve this ..

there is usually a 'install' icon on the 'nix desktop, to start the install process.
- don't use the option, to erase the 'whole hdd' - use the option to install 'side by side'


the advanced boot_media_option, is to use a flash stick, instead of the simpler DvD,
- this is created with something like UNetbootin.

if you do install to a external hdd, then that will always have to connected to the PC,
or the PC may fail to boot properly ..

Before doing experiments on your external HDD, I think you should read these types of links first.
http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2012/02/20...on-at-the-end/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UAO2O0U5go‎
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnB4NrJrw3Q

May be ubuntu version is little old but process is not.
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/install...sb-hard-drive/