OS on an external HDD

SilentWalrus · 07-24-2008, 12:56 AM

I've all of the sudden got the ability to partition my external HDD to install a linux distro on it. I'll find the distro myself, but now, I do have a question.
Is it smart to install it on an external HDD? Like if you disconnect the HDD when you're in that OS it'll freak out on you. So what shall I do?
Just a small note, this is a laptop, so putting the HDD in the case isn't an option.

Locke · 07-24-2008, 01:05 PM

I've actually been planning this myself. Hopefully someone has an answer.

ESPKH2 · 07-24-2008, 10:30 PM

Since this is a Laptop, no matter what, the internal drive will automatically spin its hard disks upon startup. Running any OS on an external drive won't save you any CPU power but it'll certainly work if you want another option.

nathanlawliet · 07-25-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentWalrus

I've all of the sudden got the ability to partition my external HDD to install a linux distro on it. I'll find the distro myself, but now, I do have a question.
Is it smart to install it on an external HDD? Like if you disconnect the HDD when you're in that OS it'll freak out on you. So what shall I do?
Just a small note, this is a laptop, so putting the HDD in the case isn't an option.

I don't know if it's smart, but it could be useful if you want to take your operating system and your files to places with you without the laptop. If you disconnect the HDD while in the OS, it will PROBABLY freeze (it won't run to say the very least until you turn off your computer and reconnect it).

I'd go ahead and do it if I were you.

monahan · 07-25-2008, 03:32 PM

can you do it? yes. is it a smart move? I wouldn't say so. GRUB can be finnicky.

AquaToad · 07-30-2008, 01:23 PM

i know that you can. i have actually done this but not on an external HDD. ive booted DSL (damn small linux) off of a thumb drive. all you need to do is when you boot select to boot off the external drive first

Locke · 07-30-2008, 08:53 PM

Well, what I want to know is, will booting Linux off an external cause booting problems in XP when the external is unplugged.

lacrosse_man16 · 07-31-2008, 10:36 PM

The answer is yes, and no. Depending on the distro you use will change the answer. If you use a distro intended for unplugging then yes you can. If you use one that is not made for that then no. The grub loader will not load and will leave your computer useless after the first unplug (Trust me I have tried this). As to why you want to do this I have no idea, I would just recommend that you partition your local HD and install the second OS on it, and relocate all of your personal files onto the external HD.

Locke · 08-01-2008, 04:20 AM

Ah, okay, that's good to know. Anyway, the reason why is because I have a small main hard drive on my laptop (80 GB) that is pretty full. My external, however, is about 320 GB. So, I want to run Linux but it won't really fit on my main. And I can't just move files from my main to my external, because they're all files I want to keep locally, like my 21 GB of music, for instance.

lacrosse_man16 · 08-01-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Ah, okay, that's good to know. Anyway, the reason why is because I have a small main hard drive on my laptop (80 GB) that is pretty full. My external, however, is about 320 GB. So, I want to run Linux but it won't really fit on my main. And I can't just move files from my main to my external, because they're all files I want to keep locally, like my 21 GB of music, for instance.

Its funny you say that b/c I have a laptop w/ a 80GB HD as well and a 160Gb external. You may think that you do not have the room on the internal, but trust me once you relocate all of your personal files there is more than enough room. Linux takes up less than a Gb but it requires only 18Gb to install. I have yet to use over 5 (not including my personal stuff which is on my external anyway).

Why do you need those files to be local? and do all of your files have to remain local such as movies and downloads? Remember that the external drive is portable so anything that you don't use regularly can go on it.

Dizzy · 08-01-2008, 01:31 PM

I actually find it beneficial to have media on an external.
Like LAX said, it frees up HDD space and allows for portability (and playback on the 360

)

Locke · 08-02-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lacrosse_man16

Its funny you say that b/c I have a laptop w/ a 80GB HD as well and a 160Gb external. You may think that you do not have the room on the internal, but trust me once you relocate all of your personal files there is more than enough room. Linux takes up less than a Gb but it requires only 18Gb to install. I have yet to use over 5 (not including my personal stuff which is on my external anyway).

Why do you need those files to be local? and do all of your files have to remain local such as movies and downloads? Remember that the external drive is portable so anything that you don't use regularly can go on it.

Well, programs have to be local, and on last check, the .dll's on my system alone take up 3.2 GB...nevermind, it's now up to 4.7 GB. I'll just post up a list here of my most space-taking files:

At the moment, maybe 2 GB of my files are "mobile," meaning, ones that I don't need to have always accessible. I can't move any .dll's or most .exe's because they used for installed applications. My .mp3's need to stay local as well. I prefer to have all of my pictures and videos local, because I use them frequently. So, I can, right now, move about 2 GB in files. If I had to, I could move maybe a gig more, and delete another gig. That's it. Not enough to comfortably run Linux at 4 GB, or at least, not comfortable enough for me. I take my laptop to work every day, but I always leave my external at home, just as a precaution against any possible damage. It has about 40 GB of files that can't be found on my internal drive. I also frequently use many of these files, so I want constant, reliable access. Also, I only have one working USB drive, so having my external plugged in means I have to use the touchpad. And before you suggest a hub, that was what short-circuited my last port. Now plugging anything into it causes my motherboard damage, so I'm not to keen on frying my only remaining port.

In less than a month though, I'll be getting a new laptop with 120 GB built in, so that ought to solve the space problem. I was just hoping to test the distro's I've got on this one before committing to one on my new laptop.

07-24-2008, 12:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
SilentWalrus Large Walrus Support Team Jr. Staff Premium Member Super Zuner Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 1,862 Reputation: 260 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	OS on an external HDD I've all of the sudden got the ability to partition my external HDD to install a linux distro on it. I'll find the distro myself, but now, I do have a question. Is it smart to install it on an external HDD? Like if you disconnect the HDD when you're in that OS it'll freak out on you. So what shall I do? Just a small note, this is a laptop, so putting the HDD in the case isn't an option. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Thanks for the sig stkr. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by SilentWalrus : 07-24-2008 at 01:04 AM.

07-30-2008, 01:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
AquaToad Experienced Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Carolina Posts: 854 Reputation: 39	i know that you can. i have actually done this but not on an external HDD. ive booted DSL (damn small linux) off of a thumb drive. all you need to do is when you boot select to boot off the external drive first __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. thx stkr

08-01-2008, 01:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dizzy Joe the Plumber Moderator Ultimate Zuner Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 6,732 Reputation: 357	I actually find it beneficial to have media on an external. Like LAX said, it frees up HDD space and allows for portability (and playback on the 360 ) __________________ Stop activity immediately if you feel short of breath, faint or dizzy, experience chest pain, or profuse perspiration. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-24-2008, 10:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
ESPKH2 Experienced Zuner Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 112 Reputation: 14	Since this is a Laptop, no matter what, the internal drive will automatically spin its hard disks upon startup. Running any OS on an external drive won't save you any CPU power but it'll certainly work if you want another option.

07-25-2008, 03:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
monahan Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Posts: 269 Reputation: 45	can you do it? yes. is it a smart move? I wouldn't say so. GRUB can be finnicky.

07-31-2008, 10:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
lacrosse_man16 Drankn dat Jesus juice Retired Staff Jr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 360 Reputation: 163	The answer is yes, and no. Depending on the distro you use will change the answer. If you use a distro intended for unplugging then yes you can. If you use one that is not made for that then no. The grub loader will not load and will leave your computer useless after the first unplug (Trust me I have tried this). As to why you want to do this I have no idea, I would just recommend that you partition your local HD and install the second OS on it, and relocate all of your personal files onto the external HD.

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