3

Update: I did how ubuntu_tr told me to do. Ubuntu installs successfully. But when i boot with the HDD, this error shows up:

Error: Partition is undiscoverable Grub Rescue >_ [I could type some command here]

Any idea?

Orignal: OK, all I want is a bootable installation on my external HDD.

I want Ubuntu to boot on any computer I plug into. Is it possible?

Can someone point me to detailed instructions of doing so?

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  • 2
    You can create a persistent live USB stick.
    – elclanrs
    Jul 20, 2013 at 8:49
  • What's the other way to do it if you don't live install? Never heard of a second way to do it in...
    – Alvar
    Jul 20, 2013 at 8:57
  • No, I mean while doing that, I still want to keep some apps installed and settings preserved for every use.
    – ads97
    Jul 20, 2013 at 9:01
  • Are you using Windows? Or Ubuntu?
    – horIzoN
    Jul 20, 2013 at 9:32
  • You'll get much worse performance than you would get if the same type of HDD was an internal drive and you had a dual boot setup with Ubuntu installed on it. Consider this: every time you do anything to your system if it is installed on an external USB HDD, it has to send information through the USB port.
    – karel
    Jul 20, 2013 at 9:43

1 Answer 1

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  1. First you should create an installation media (DVD/USB). If there is one, you can use it.
  2. Boot with this installation media and select install
  3. Plug in the external HDD/USB to your computer.
  4. Select "Something Else" option on What to do page.
  5. Choose your external HDD/USB as the installating area (/ for mount point)
  6. And also choose grub to install on this ext HDD not computer HDD. (sdb, sdc, sdd or whatever it is from the dropdown menu). You should prefer the first partition on it to install Ubuntu. The information on the partition you select over external HDD will be erased.
  7. Continue and finish the installation to your ext media.
  8. Select your new Ubuntu installed HDD/USB while booting from the list (F12 or your computers startup key to select boot device)
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  • Hey mate, Today I finally did what you said. But I installed Ubnutu on 2nd partition, and chose '/boot' as mount point. But when I try to boot it from HDD, it says "BootMGR is Missing..." any idea? I am sure I installed boot files to HDD partition.
    – ads97
    Jul 30, 2013 at 15:55
  • I wish you choose just / for mount point and external HDD to install grub. Why you marked /boot ?
    – ubuntu_tr
    Jul 30, 2013 at 20:38
  • IDK man, maybe I didn't read your comment carefully :P. By'grub' you mean bootloaders, right? Will be back
    – ads97
    Jul 31, 2013 at 3:21
  • Nope, it didn't work either with / mount point. :|
    – ads97
    Aug 1, 2013 at 11:47

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