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jake2k
July 13th, 2008, 10:40 AM
Is it possible to install ubuntu from a second hdd? It set up as a slave but I can change the boot order to boot from it first so it seems like it would be possible.

I have the live cd but for some reason im unable to boot from my disc drive (probably a computer problem) and there is no option to boot from usb device so it looks like this is my only hope.

Any help or info is appreciated, thanks for reading.

clanky
July 13th, 2008, 10:44 AM
Yes it is possible, you can even install linux and boot from a USB drive if your computer supports booting from USB.

When you go through the install process you can tell set where you want to install linux from, the boot manager will even allow you to choose whether to boot from linux on 1 drive or windows on another without changing the boot order in BIOS (although i haven't figured that out for booting from a USB drive yet!)

jake2k
July 13th, 2008, 10:48 AM
well i know it's possible to install it on the second hdd but what i want to do is install it from the second hdd.

So what I need are the files to stick on the hdd so that when I boot from that hdd I'm presented with the option to install Ubuntu just like the live cd would. I hope that makes more sense.

clanky
July 13th, 2008, 04:11 PM
Makes more sense, but unfortunately I don't have the answer, sorry.

At a guess, make an ISO image, copy that to the blank HDD and then like you said, change the boot order, but that is strictly a guess, get someoene else's advice before you go messing with your system.

tech0007
July 13th, 2008, 04:29 PM
check this out: http://www.ubuntugeek.com/install-ubuntukubuntuedubuntuxubuntu-without-cdrom-drive.html. its for edgy but i guess you just have to find the link for your ubuntu version.

jake2k
July 13th, 2008, 06:48 PM
Thanks for the link but there are a couple dead links on that page and it's kinda confusing. Is it possible to boot the hdd if I put the iso image on there?

confused57
July 13th, 2008, 07:05 PM
See the install without a cd instructions:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation

munkyeetr
July 13th, 2008, 07:11 PM
If you are currently running a linux OS, and you have a floppy drive, this thread may be helpful for you: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=666267

If you are running Windows currently, I am not sure the translation to cat the iso image onto a disk drive in the windows environment. :( Probably possible somehow.

Hope this helps.

jake2k
July 13th, 2008, 08:50 PM
Thanks for all the links and info guys but im still having trouble figuring out what I need to do. If anyone could just give me a list of files that need to be on the hdd so I can boot and install it from and to that hdd.

I have a live cd plus lots of other files I've downloaded while trying to get this to work so chances are I have all the files I need, I just need to know which ones go on the hdd. Thanks again for dealing with me :D

jake2k
July 15th, 2008, 03:55 AM
Anyone know what files I need?

jake2k
July 15th, 2008, 06:27 AM
hmm interesting...

After downloading some Ubuntu files to my download folder to try and get this thing working I'm now being presented with a dual boot option when I restart my computer, Ubuntu or Windows XP, so I guess that means I'm close to getting it to work.

Here are the files I have in my dl folder:

http://www.imgsync.com/data/img/24207931.png

plus I have all the files from the live cd in another folder.

When I choose the Ubuntu boot option there's some more options that look like file paths and some of them go to a screen that says "GRUB:" and some says I can type "TAB" for options or something.

Can anyone help me along with getting this installed please. Thanks

jake2k
July 16th, 2008, 05:53 AM
I'm sorry if im getting annoying now but I'd really like to get this done, thanks.

confused57
July 16th, 2008, 03:24 PM
I'm sorry if im getting annoying now but I'd really like to get this done, thanks.
I don't have any experience with installing without a cd, but the easiest way appears to be using UNetbootin:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/FromLinux

jake2k
July 16th, 2008, 06:21 PM
Thanks for the reply, I have used that but it didnt work:(

shadohman
July 17th, 2008, 07:29 PM
Two questions.

When you were in the BIOS did you verify that the cd drive was set as the first boot drive? Some versions of Windows hide this option.

Are you sure the Live CD was burned as an .iso file and not as a data file.

jimv
July 17th, 2008, 08:02 PM
THIS *SHOULD* WORK (it works for my thumbdrive, and the only difference I can think of is that the HD should already have an MBR):

Format your 2nd HD, or the first partition as FAT


sudo apt-get install syslinux
sudo syslinux /dev/whatever-your-2nd-hd/first partition-is

OR from Windows:

Get syslinux: http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/boot/syslinux/syslinux-3.70.zip

Open a cmd window and type:


cd wherever-you-put-syslinux.exe
syslinux.exe D: (or whatever your 2nd HD is)



Then copy the contents of the Ubuntu ISO to that first partition on the 2nd drive.
Rename the isoinux folder to syslinux, then open that folder and rename isolinux.cfg to syslinux.cfg

Then cross your fingers and try booting from that drive.

jake2k
July 18th, 2008, 06:48 AM
I think I did it right when you type in the command is something supposed to happen?

jimv
July 18th, 2008, 07:31 PM
It does something, but it doesn't give you any feedback to say, "Hey, I did it!", it just does it.

Try booting from the drive.