boot to external hard drive

yanqui · Joined: Apr 04, 2005 Posts: 20

I have Ubuntu installed on a USB external hard drive. Installation went fine--but when I go to boot, it boots right to WinXP, which is installed on teh hard drive.

I have selected USB removable device as the first boot device in the BIOS, then CD/DVD, then hard drive.

There is never an option to select the other drive, or to select the other OS.

I am VERY new to Linux, so keep that in mind. ALSO--I cannot get to the external drive to alter any files. Windows doesn't recognize the drive.

User: inactive Posts:

Here try these links.

This one has worked for me many times:
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=80811

I haven't tried this one yet:
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=226638

Good luck! I love being able to boot off of my USB drive.

FXEF · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 18

You will need to change the boot order in the BIOS, that is if your BIOS supports booting from USB. One other option is Smart Boot Manger, this will allow you to boot from any bootable drive. I find it is best to install SBM to a floppy and not overwrite the MBR.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/btmgr/