Can i install linux on my external hdd?

Question

I want to install linux on my external hdd. I have windows XP on my internal hdd and i want that to be untouched. I already have movies and music on my external hdd thought though. Can I install linux on my external but still have those files so when i boot Windows XP all my music and videos are still there?

Answer 1

Yes, you can.  When you want to do something like this, you have to partition the drive you want to install linux on.  That means making a digital barrier on the hard drive that separates sections of data.

Some linux distributions allow you to edit partitions during setup;  I believe that SUSE linux in particular is very user-friendly in that respect.  If the linux distro you're installing doesn't allow you to edit partitions, then you should get Norton PartitionMagic (link below).  It will allow you to edit the partitions on your external hard drive from Windows.

http://www.amazon.com/Symantec-10256717-...

EDIT

Also, do what Jason B said.  You need to do that to boot linux from the external.

Answer 2

Youcan but first, copy all the data to your computer.

Then partition the drive down into 2 50/50 segments.

Make one a FAT32 partition, and make the other your EXT3 partition or what have you.

Install the Linux to the EXT partition and copy your data back to the FAT32 partition. Now if you want to access the data in both Linux AND windows, well then you should forgoe the linux on the external hard drive and instead, get ANDLINUX which is a Linux that runs within Windows and wll allow for you to use all the data within Windows.

Also, look into the USB or Live CD Linux's like DSL Linux (http://www.damnsmalllinux.org)

Answer 3

yes you can.  u just need to make sure that your bios will let you boot to a usb device. and then set the first boot device to be the cd rom drive.  then install to the external HD by formatting and installing. then change the first boot device to usb. and the second boot device to the internal HD. that way when you have the external plugged in, the pc will boot the linux. and if you dont have the external HD plugged in the pc will boot normally.  i hope this helps..........