Can you install linux on a USB hard drive?

[nugget15]

Ok, I want to use linux, but I do not have a computer of my own. So I want to Install it on an external usb hard drive. Is this possible? If so, do I need some special drivers, or can I load like all the drivers under the sun and use the hard drive like a bootable cd but be able to save my settings?

[DrChuck]

If all you want to do is experiment with linux, I would suggest trying a live cd distro like Knoppix. It has a ton of features and won't mess with the borrowed computer. Also you won't need to buy extra hardware like an external HD. I've used this setup in a pinch with either a USB flash card or network drive for my data.

I've had no luck finding a motherboard which supports booting over USB, altho I've heard they exist. If you installed linux to the USB HD, you would probably need to boot from a floppy.

[nugget15]

I've used knoppix, but I want to be able to program in linux, and change everyting and all that.

[kam]

It should be a piece of cake. Of course, some distributions will be easier (like Red Hat or Mandrake). It would also be good if your motherboard can boot via USB, but most recent ones can.

You will most likely install to /dev/sdXY instead of /dev/hdXY.

[mdwatts]

Apparently

http://featherlinux.berlios.de/

will fit on a 64MB USB Pen Drive.

[nugget15]

Ya, I wanted to get a 128 meg thumbdrive, and get dsl knoppix and put it on that, and upgrade it so it would have more things I could use and customizable.

[Icarus]

There is also Flonix (http://www.flonix.com/)Flonix is a complete, compact and nomad Operating System (OS) for PC computers.
# Flonix have 2 versions : Flonix USB Edition is designed for USB(1&2) storage devices (64MB & more) :

* USB flash drive/mini drive
* USB MP3 player
* USB pen
* USB watch
* USB credit card format
* Compact Flash with USB adaptator
* ...


# Flonix CD Edition is a live CDI'm really thinking aobut doing this with either my extra 128MB key or my 256MB watch :)
I just need to figure how to boot from it without a floppy disk

[Icarus]

Of course...Knoppix on these would be sweet

http://rz-obrian.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/knoppix-usb/

[VoiDeR]

Hey mahdi i found this site that might help you out with booting from a pen drive. (http://rz-obrian.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/knoppix-usb/) If you get it working post back or pm me. Ive been wanting to to the same thing.

VoiDeR

edit: We posted at the same time lol.

[mdwatts]

http://old.lwn.net/Distributions/ usually has specialty distros listed.