[SOLVED] Putting Ubuntu on to a USB External hard drive.

[tp2357]

Hello. I've recently received a external hard drive for Christmas. I have the Kiwi, a USB stick version of Ubuntu. When my computer boots up I get the "installer boot menu" and I select "Run Kiwi from USB". I do this as I need to mount and format my HD. What I would like to know is if I were to format my HD (external) to extx would I be able to install Ubuntu, on to the external drive, and be able to save my changes? (rather having them wiped after shutdown, as with live-cd's and live-USB's)


Any help would be appreciated.

[yancek]

If all you are asking is can you install Ubuntu onto an external drive, yes, and distribution of Linux and you should be able to boot from the external but that depends upon your setup and what other operating systems (if any) you have and the method you want for booting.

[tp2357]

Thanks for your response. Just to be clear, if I were to create a text file, then reboot, would it be there when I log back on?

[egan]

Installing to an external drive is the same as doing so to an internal one, all your changes will be saved.

One really IMPORTANT thing that you know however is that you need to install the GRUB boot loader to the external drive itself; you do this on the last screen of the installer by pressing Advanced. If you don't do this, then if you unplug your drive you won't be able to boot. Also make sure your BIOS is looking to boot USB external drive before the internal.

[tp2357]

Could someone walk me through on how to format the drive to ext2? I am having issues doing this...

[MikeTbob]

Just let the installer format it for you. Unless you just want to learn the commands.

[tp2357]

Thanks, finished this afternoon. Looks great. Just upgraded to Jaunty Jackalope. I appreciate all of your help.