External HDD Ubuntu 12.04 won't boot on desktop but does on laptop

**harlan2** · January 28th, 2014

is it already too late to make this into a live ubuntu?
Live ubuntu wouldn't matter if the machine has an OS and wouldn't matter what hardware is available correct?
how does the casper-rw thing work? is it like partitioning except i can use the casper-rw partition as if it is apart of the / (so you can read,write,execute, etc)? and were would i download/install updates?

**oldfred** · January 28th, 2014

The only boot loader I see is syslinux on live flash drive. Nothing on sda 500GB nor sdc 320GB drives. BIOS has to boot from MBR.

=> No boot loader is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda.
=> Syslinux MBR (3.61-4.03) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb.
=> No boot loader is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdc.

You do have grub install to a lot of PBRs or partition boot sectors, but you cannot boot from those without another boot loader. And installing to PBR is not recommended as it can have issues. Often needs reinstall on updates.

**fantab** · January 28th, 2014

Thanks oldfred, I missed that.

@harlan2: use boot repair and install Grub to /dev/sdc or your ExtHDD and NOT on its partition like /dev/sdc1 or /dev/sdc2 etc.
Your desktop probably has a bootloader to boot Ubuntu on your extHDD but not the laptop, that may be the probable issue.

**harlan2** · January 29th, 2014

thank you guys. it works now. Is it still worth it to get a live ubuntu over whatever i have currently?

**fantab** · January 29th, 2014

Originally Posted by harlan2

thank you guys. it works now. Is it still worth it to get a live ubuntu over whatever i have currently?

If you want your Ubuntu to run on "ANY COMPUTER" then, YES Live Ubuntu is the solution. Live Ubuntu has support for plenty more hardware than an "installed" ubuntu on USB drive.

**oldfred** · January 29th, 2014

It is another whole discussion but I use grub to loopmount boot an ISO file directly. So some of my smaller flash drives have several repair ISO. But my larger full install flash drive also has multiple ISO, so I can also boot a variety of install or repair ISO.

This will boot an ISO from a hard drive.
ISO Booting with Grub 2 from Hard drive - drs305
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2/ISOBoot
Examples - you may copy & edit for your path & ISO version
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Gr...OBoot/Examples
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1549847