Use External HD?

[sheprd]

Can I use an External HD with Linux? If so how do I install Ubuntu on it? I have Ubuntu on a DVD and don't know how to transfer it to the HD. I also have IOL files on my regular Windows desktop. Any help much appreciated. Also any other way to run Linux welcome.

[jmadero]

use the external with linux how? Like just use it as a drive or install it on it? If you just meant "use" like regular daily use, yes, it should be plug in play in almost all situations. If you want to install on it, yes you can also but it requires more work because your boot installer will go onto your external (meaning that if your external is unplugged you won't be able to boot anything)

Edit: Forgot to mention, of course this can be changed and you can put your boot loader on your drive, just takes a bit more work but not too bad

[sheprd]

Thanks jmadero for your response. I probably wasn't too clear on what I want. I have added an external HD via usb cable. I downloaded Ubuntu IOL unto my regular desk top and copied it on a DVD. Now how do I transfer from the DVD to my external HD ? Thanks

[jmadero]

When you "put it on dvd" did you use an iso burner, if you just did a regular burn then it's not going to work, put the DVD in and see if you can boot from it. If you can then the DVD is burned right. I don't recommend putting the OS on your external device, how big is your internal hard drive? Typically people dual boot with internal hard drives, not putting one OS on your internal device and one on your external, again you'll face issues with your boot loader that are kind of a pain to deal with (I've never correctly gotten it actually so one of the other users would have to help you fix the boot loader if you install Ubuntu on your external).

If this is still what you want to do you just boot in the DVD, push enter on the first option. When it boots up click the install button on your desktop, go through the options until you get to "partition editor" or something of the kind. Once you're here you'll have to manually configure it (last option)

You'll get a partition table, sdb refers to your external hard drive, sda refers to internal (most likely). To make it install on your external you just click on sdb, click edit, format it to ext4, and mount it to /

If this is what you want please be careful with the above instructions because you can format your internal hard drive with this method relatively easily. Here are more detailed instructions:

It's a bit dated but it gives you the basics

HowTo: Partitioning Basics - Ubuntu Forums

[sheprd]

Thanks jmadero for your help. I decided my problem is in the External HD or my computer which refuses to aknowledge my external HD. Untill I resolve that problem, nothing will work.