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Posted Jun 20, 2008 at 7:18:02 PM
Subject: Dual Boot Using External Hard Drive
Hey Guys, I just downloaded Ubuntu 8.04 and installed it on my WD 80GB External Hard Drive. I have windows XP installed on my internal 80GB hard drive. I was able to get Ubuntu working and it looked amazing. But before installation I was told to unplug my int. hard drive. So when I wanted to use ubuntu, it would tell me that a hard drive is missing and boot from another device. That is when Ubuntu would load.
I plugged in my internal hard drive again, and Windows XP powers up without giving me and option to boot into Ubuntu. Is there a method of which my dell (Dimension 4700) computer will give me the option to go into ubuntu or windows xp without unplugging the internal hard drive everytime. Thanks alot.
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Bob
Joined Apr 11, 2008
Posts: 93
Location:San Francisco, CA
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Posted:
Jun 20, 2008 9:25:20 PM
Subject: Dual Boot Using External Hard Drive
You didn't need to disconnect your internal hard drive to install Ubuntu to your USB external drive. Where did that suggestion come from??
During the installation, an option to install GRUB was provided. Did you install it, and, if so, where? If you installed it to the USB drive MBR, then you need only change your boot-order in the BIOS such that USB precedes the internal hard drive. When booting, the external drive will be checked and GRUB will offer you a list of boot options that should include Ubuntu along with the Windows OS likely detected during the GRUB installation. If the external drive is not connected, the internal disk will be checked and Win will start as usual.
If you didn't install GRUB, you will need to do so. You should be able to do this from the LiveCD without needing to modify your setup. You can install it as described above, or you can choose to install it to your internal drive MBR instead (advanced option in GRUB installation, choose the correct drive). If GRUB is on the internal drive, you needn't change the boot-order in the BIOS. The internal drive will be checked as it is now, GRUB will start, and offer you the list as described. If you choose the external Ubuntu option from the GRUB list and the drive is connected, it should start fine. If the USB is disconnected, it will fault at that time. You'd just need to restart and choose or connect the drive as needed.
[Modified by: Bob on June 20, 2008 09:27 PM]
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Bob
Joined Apr 11, 2008
Posts: 93
Location:San Francisco, CA
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Posted:
Jun 24, 2008 4:09:34 AM
Subject: Dual Boot Using External Hard Drive
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quill3033
Joined Jul 06, 2008
Posts: 1
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Posted:
Jul 06, 2008 9:01:59 AM
Subject: Dual Boot Using External Hard Drive
Hi, I installed Ubuntu 8.04 on my external USB hard drive as per the pendrive linux tutorial and it's great - it worked etc. on *my* pc.
However, I then tried plugging the usb to my dad\'s computer and even though there is a point at which I can escape into the menu and see the boot option (boot from usb) the screen goes black and nothing happens. I was hoping to use this external usb hdd to show friends etc how ubuntu works - by plugging it into their computers. Any ideas? Like I said it works fine on my computer but I really don\'t need it so much for my pc, I need it to take to other pc\'s and to be as compatible as possible with other pc\'s.
Is there a way to maximise the possibility of being able to boot from the usb on as many pc's as possible?
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Bob
Joined Apr 11, 2008
Posts: 93
Location:San Francisco, CA
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Posted:
Jul 08, 2008 3:24:02 AM
Subject: Dual Boot Using External Hard Drive
Hardware differences between the PCs can lead to failures during boot-up if the liveUSB (or CD) finds something for which it doesn't have a driver or for which the system configuration settings chosen in previous sessions won't work. Of course, booting successfully live into a wide range of hardware presents a great challenge - one well beyond Windows' capability. Some mini distros have great hardware basic support, though not all the features are always supported.
Most of the problems I have encountered have been with graphics, ACPI, network cards, or configuration conflicts. If your system hangs, try choosing some of the alternate boot options like "safe graphics" or no ACPI. If its a configuration glitch, try ignoring saved sessions so it doesn't apply choices from other hardware sessions. Other issues might arise like insufficient RAM or wireless network interface problems, but usually you'll finish booting for some of these.
Ubuntu should work well on many PCs, but when it comes to compatibility, the simpler the better. So distros like DSL, Puppy, and Xubuntu may work out better than the full Ubuntu.
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