[CruizRisner]

I have a computer that has windows xp installed on it. Could I install Linux to my external drive and just remove the drive with xp on it and run linux from my external? could i do this for easy switching of systems?

[saikee]

You don't have to remove the internal disk to run an external disk. You can specify the external hard disk to be booted first and put a Linux (or several Linux) in it.

If you have eSata connection then it would even boot all MS systems from an external hard disk. Not all Linux have been packaged to boot from an external hard disk though.

In general you can put an OS in a partition and a hard disk can have at least 15 partitions. The key is to use a boot loader to control all the OSes.

You will find Grub, an open source boot loader used extensively by Linux, can boot every system you care to install in a PC. You can put in in a floppy, CD/DVD, internal hard disk, external hard disk or USB flash drive.

[jrbuergel]

Find out which F key is your computer's boot order options menu, ( dells are the F12 key and my Gateway is F10 ) and if you have a Linux grub installed on that external drive master boot record, then it will depend on the correct grub menu.lst boot items listed, such as to add a chainload to your XP if not there. It is better to dual boot XP and Linux with your internal hard drive first, then install some Linux on the external drive. But have your main grub boot loader on the internal drive, and the external drive have a second grub on it's MBR.

[CruizRisner]

alright thanks guys. ill just dual boot them. great idea