Install OS on external HDD

[Danny159]

Hey,

 

I have a 160GB external HDD and I want to install an OS (XP or Linux) on to the HDD so I can boot from it if a PC HDD fails or I need to do so... My question is how do I do it and whats easy to install on one and boot from?

 

Can it be done?

 

Danny

[rush_tech]

Why not just use a live copy of linux

[Danny159]

Can you explain how then work please?

[rush_tech]

Try Ubuntu download it burn the iso to a disc and boot from the disc:) have a play:)

[Danny159]

I know but the idea I was think of was booting it from my external HDD and not a CD as I cary my external arround

[somabc]

You can also use a USB thumb stick instead of a bulky HD if you want? Unetbootin should allow you to create a live partition on both HD and flash drive.

 

Introduction

 

UNetbootin allows for the installation of various Linux/BSD distributions to a partition or USB drive, so it's no different from a standard install, only it doesn't need a CD. It can create a dual-boot install, or replace the existing OS entirely.

 

Requirements

 

* Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista, or Linux, or a USB Drive. If you are having trouble with the Linux version, try the Windows version, it usually works better.

* A broadband internet connection to download the distribution packages (unless installing from pre-downloaded media, see below)

* Spare hard drive space to install the OS in (varies depending on distribution)

 

Features

 

UNetbootin can install to your local hard disk or make a bootable liveUSB drive. It can also load floppy/hard disk images, or kernel/initrds, or (some) ISO (CD image) files, for installing other distributions.

 

Lubi, LVPM, UNetbootin, and Bubakup - UNetbootin

[srochford]

Any of the boot CD options mentioned is good if what you're looking for are recovery tools.

 

if you'd prefer a Windows environment then look at Bart PE, Ultimate Boot CD for Windows or Microsoft's WinPE (download link is for WAIK which includes WinPE) Downside of PE is that you don't get anything much in the way of tools with it but you can add them to the disc. There's some interesting stuff here about how you can shrink WinPE so that it fits on a 128Mb stick.

[Antp]

Yeah i would like to no how to do this on a external HDD as i only have 60gb hd on my laptop with 5gb free. I want to test server 08.

[srochford]

If you just want to test out an OS then the easiest way to do it is as a virtual machine.

 

Download and install Microsoft Virtual Server or Microsoft Virtual PC and you can then download a ready installed virtual machine - just put that on the external drive and add it as a new VM

 

You can use Virtual Box or VMWare to install Server 2008 but this way all the work is done for you :-)

[Antp]

If you just want to test out an OS then the easiest way to do it is as a virtual machine.

 

Download and install Microsoft Virtual Server or Microsoft Virtual PC and you can then download a ready installed virtual machine - just put that on the external drive and add it as a new VM

 

You can use Virtual Box or VMWare to install Server 2008 but this way all the work is done for you :-)

 

 

i agree using a virtual machine is the easiest way

ive just installed windows server 08 using microsoft virtual pc 2007

when you create the virtual hard disk just save it to your external hd.

i installed it about 30mins ago and it works great and is fairly fast.

[Sirbendy]

I was playing with PEBuilder and PE2USB...I now have my external 60gb drive booting into it for ghosting.

 

Also found a utility in Technet caled "bootprep" that allows XP to boot from FAT32 drives (like pens and compactflash). I now have my Inspiron running entirely of an 8gb GF card with a CF->IDE44 adapter.

 

Did wonder if it'd work on..say..my Cruzer.