Can i install Ubuntu on HDD and then move it to another computer

[GruffNutts]

I want to install Ubuntu on a hard drive and move the hard drive to another computer.

The reason I need to change it is becuase the computer i'm installing it on doesn't have internet or a cdrom

I want to install it on a better pc and then install the hdd on the other pc.

Will it cause problems when I try and boot the computer when i replace the hdd as it won't have been installed on there originally ( I don't know if it installs drivers during isntallation)

[rokytnji]

It has been done before on the net. The Kernel is what loads the drivers and when you install hardrive to another computer. The kernel will pick up on the different hardware. You might have to boot into safe graphics mode though to get loggede in. You can load proprietarey video drivers again after getting to a Desktop on broke computer (if need be).

[GruffNutts]

Thanks for your reply.

I haven't done it yet because it's to late in the day.

When you say I might have to boot into safe mode to log in, will it automatically find the drivers for the other pc when i successfully log in.

If i can get usb working when i log in, i can install a network card driver for a wireless card i have in there so i can get online (hopefully) and get any extra updates or software.

[rokytnji]

Safe graphics mode uses the vesa driver for display which works on a lot of gear. You will need to uses a land line maybe in case wireless driver is not in kernel for that broken laptop. Can't say because we don't know what internal wireless chip is used on broken laptop.

One suggestion. I suggest you go for the Ubuntu 10.04 LTS download instead of Ubuntu 10.10. It is more stable and more likely to succeed booting up. Just my opinion though.

As I said earlier. Tons of drivers are in the kernel which auto-magially install when booting up. After bootup and on Desktop. Click on network manager icon and look at what is available to connect with. Hardwire always work in my case. Wireless also but I make sure I use Wireless compatible chipsets in my wireless cards.

This is a wireless desktop in my motorcycle shop.

Network:   Card-1 RaLink RT2561/RT61 802.11g PCI driver rt61pci v: 2.3.0 BusID: 11:0c.0
           Card-2 Intel 82566DM-2 Gigabit Network Connection driver e1000e v: 1.0.2-k2 at port 1820 BusID: 00:19.0

The driver for my wireless was installed by the kernel. All I had to do was enable wireless in Network Manager to connect. Hopefully you will be as lucky.

[GruffNutts]

It worked by taking the HDD out, installing it on newer machine and putting it back.

The only problem is that it keeps locking up after a while.

I managed to compile a wilreless driver so I have internet now (using Ubuntu now).

I was downloading updates using Additional Drivers last night when it locked up again. Logged in again this morning and I had to use the Safe Graphics Mode like you said.

How can I fix these locking up issues? I could try reinstalling again but replace the dodgy cdrom.

Also it says that

Proprietary drivers are being used to make this computer work properly

with the name of the driver i compiled and there is a button to deactivate it.

The thing is if i deactivate it, i have no Internet connection.

I was able to see a list of available updates last night before the computer locked up but now i don't see them anymore.

The graphics obviously look shaky and there are no additional drivers displayed for me to choose from.

Is there a fix for this or do i have to try and install it over again in this pc with maybe a better cdrom drive?

[devils casper]

It looks like a Graphics Driver problem only. Which Graphics Card do you have?

lspci | grep -i vga

[GruffNutts]

It looks like a Graphics Driver problem only. Which Graphics Card do you have?

lspci | grep -i vga

This is the output

00:09:0 VGA Compatitable controller: Nvidia Corperation NV5M64 [Riva TNT2 Model 64]

I think it is to do with graphics because when i grab a window and shake it, it locks up.

I've ordered a Nvidi aGeForce FX5200, AMD Athlon XP 2600+ and 1 Gb ram off ebay last night. Will that help with this problem and if i need to reinstall, will it help with that?

[devils casper]

There is no need to reinstall OS. It's Graphics Card driver only.
You have to re-install Nvidia Proprietary Driver and whenever you switch Hard disk to other machine, you have to re-install correct driver for the card being used in machine.

[AdRock952]

There is no need to reinstall OS. It's Graphics Card driver only.
You have to re-install Nvidia Proprietary Driver and whenever you switch Hard disk to other machine, you have to re-install correct driver for the card being used in machine.

How do I reinstall the correct driver? can i download it somewhere?

[devils casper]

Doesn't Additional Drivers option prompt for Nvidia Proprietary driver installation?
For manual installation, follow this tutorial. If you find it confusing feel free to post back. We will try to suggest step by step procedure.