Install Linux on EXTERNAL SSD/HDD, intending to have PORTABLE installation
by rfoLqOrg from LinuxQuestions.org on (#6HG4D)
Goal:
=====
Install Linux on external SSD/HDD, such that:
- Installation does not in any way interfere with OS sitting on laptop's internal HDD/SSD, in particular not with any boot-related SW/FW like BIOS/UEFI/Grub.
- I can plug the external drive into any computer with compatible specs (e.g. 64 bit architecture).
Conceptual support for that goal:
=================================
I successfully installed Linux (Lite) on to a 2nd physical INTERNAL HDD in a laptop (32 bit, BIOS), where sda hosts Windows Vista and sdb hosts Linux Lite, having directed the installation process to install Grub on sdb. As a result, that laptop boots into Vista by default when I do not touch the boot sequence. When I do intercept per special key (F12 in my case), BIOS gives me the choice between HDD1 (Vista) or HDD2 (Linux), just like it does when I want to boot from a bootable USB. That works fine and is exactly what I want. I guess that is not really DUAL BOOT, but rather SELECTIVE BOOT. I want this separation.
Now my intention:
================
I have another laptop (64 bit, UEFI) running Windows 7. It has only 1 internal HDD. I do not want to install a true dual boot from a shared drive AND SHARED BOOT LOADER on that machine, I like the separated nature of the scenario above, which I can have of course with a Live Linux on an USB stick. Now I want to do a full install of Linux on to an external USB-connected HDD/SSD. My idea is to do just the same as I did above, i.e. installing Linux on that external disc and directing the installation process to install Grub on to sd<x> (the external USB HDD/SSD).
I then expect:
==============
- If the external drive is not plugged in, the machine boots into Win7 per default.
- If the drive is plugged in, but I do nothing during startup, the same default behavior happens, Win 7 boots.
- If the drive is plugged in, and I intercept (ESC, F12 or so), I get a choice of either booting from sda (Win7) or Linux from the external drive (sd<x>.
- If I do the same on yet another laptop with compatible specs the same thing happens, i.e. Linux on that external drive is portable without me having to fool around in any way.
Problem and question:
=====================
I read contradicting information about this being problematic or impossible.
They talk about a lot of boot problems after such an installation, with a series of 'fixes' all over the place. I do not want that and I would not know why I should, based on my good experience with the 2 internal discs scenario. I hope to get some conclusive advice here.
=====
Install Linux on external SSD/HDD, such that:
- Installation does not in any way interfere with OS sitting on laptop's internal HDD/SSD, in particular not with any boot-related SW/FW like BIOS/UEFI/Grub.
- I can plug the external drive into any computer with compatible specs (e.g. 64 bit architecture).
Conceptual support for that goal:
=================================
I successfully installed Linux (Lite) on to a 2nd physical INTERNAL HDD in a laptop (32 bit, BIOS), where sda hosts Windows Vista and sdb hosts Linux Lite, having directed the installation process to install Grub on sdb. As a result, that laptop boots into Vista by default when I do not touch the boot sequence. When I do intercept per special key (F12 in my case), BIOS gives me the choice between HDD1 (Vista) or HDD2 (Linux), just like it does when I want to boot from a bootable USB. That works fine and is exactly what I want. I guess that is not really DUAL BOOT, but rather SELECTIVE BOOT. I want this separation.
Now my intention:
================
I have another laptop (64 bit, UEFI) running Windows 7. It has only 1 internal HDD. I do not want to install a true dual boot from a shared drive AND SHARED BOOT LOADER on that machine, I like the separated nature of the scenario above, which I can have of course with a Live Linux on an USB stick. Now I want to do a full install of Linux on to an external USB-connected HDD/SSD. My idea is to do just the same as I did above, i.e. installing Linux on that external disc and directing the installation process to install Grub on to sd<x> (the external USB HDD/SSD).
I then expect:
==============
- If the external drive is not plugged in, the machine boots into Win7 per default.
- If the drive is plugged in, but I do nothing during startup, the same default behavior happens, Win 7 boots.
- If the drive is plugged in, and I intercept (ESC, F12 or so), I get a choice of either booting from sda (Win7) or Linux from the external drive (sd<x>.
- If I do the same on yet another laptop with compatible specs the same thing happens, i.e. Linux on that external drive is portable without me having to fool around in any way.
Problem and question:
=====================
I read contradicting information about this being problematic or impossible.
They talk about a lot of boot problems after such an installation, with a series of 'fixes' all over the place. I do not want that and I would not know why I should, based on my good experience with the 2 internal discs scenario. I hope to get some conclusive advice here.