Tell me more ×
Ask Ubuntu is a question and answer site for Ubuntu users and developers. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 1 down vote favorite

I used to install Ubuntu 11.10 on my external HDD, it was working well, but after I installed 12.04 on my external HDD, it can't boot any more!

share|improve this question

2 Answers

up vote 0 down vote

just go through the same process you did for 11.10. You would just choose erase entire disk. you'll loose files though so I would click try Ubuntu and see if you could move any wanted files to a thumb drive or something.

share|improve this answer
the upgrade process has proven to cause similar issues. – czifro May 2 '12 at 22:47
I installed 12.04 by using the live CD, and I did choose erase entire disk. – Jerry May 2 '12 at 23:05
Sorry you made it sound like you used the upgrade manager. I guess try reinstalling it, or make sure you computer's bios boot order is still usb/cd/dvd (can't remember quite what it is) is at the top level, above internal hdd. try the second idea first. – czifro May 2 '12 at 23:06
my guess is when you changed the order of where to boot from, I'm assuming this, that boot from usb got pushed to the bottom. – czifro May 2 '12 at 23:09
I'm sure it was boot from usb, because the whole screen has gone purple, and there is no hard disk in my computer. it knows there is a system in the external HDD, and it was booting from the external HDD, but somehow, it decided eject all the usb device, i can hear my external HDD stop running,and then it gone black, shows me something "doesn't exist". – Jerry May 2 '12 at 23:24
up vote 0 down vote

I had the same sort of problem. I have a Windows 7 laptop with an external HDD connected via USB. When I partitioned the external HDD and installed Ubuntu 12.10, it would not boot even when USB HDD was first in BIOS boot ordering. I reinstalled with one change to make it work. I chose to install GRUB on the internal HDD. I have to choose a boot option everytime now, even if I am booting into Windows 7 with the USB HDD disconnected. However, this is a small price to pay for this functionality.

share|improve this answer
Can you provide instructions on how you installed GRUB to help the OP? – maggotbrain Jan 4 at 22:57

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.