Booting Ubuntu from an External USB hard drive

Question

Hey.   I have a Dell Dimension 8400. I'm wanting to install Ubuntu on my desktop, but I really do not want to do a partition on my internal Hard drive. I bought a Hard drive that connects through the USB.   I know I can install Ubuntu to the hard drive, but what I don't know is whether my computer can actually boot from a Hard drive by accessing the BIOS (F2 or F3 - I forget xD)   Any help would be much appreciated.   Thanks

jm1710 · Answer

Here are two links that you might find useful. The first talks about booting linux from a pen drive. The second is a step by step on booting from an external drive. I don't know if these will work, but it is worth a try. http://www.pendrivelinux.com/ http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=80811.

makiaveluz · Answer

This have worked for me. I have installed Ubuntu 6 on my external usb hard drive and it booted perfectly. In fact when you get to the GPARTED utility you should have your external HD as hdb1. The Bios must support booting to external hd. When connected via usb press F12 for Boot Menu Options and shouls be listed there listed as External Storage.

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