Arch Linux

iKevin

Member

From: Ann Arbor, MI

Registered: 2003-07-20

Posts: 132

A question about grub and USB

Hi All

I have a quick question about grub and USB that I can't quite find the answer to by searching.   Most of the FAQs discuss booting a full linux dristribution from USB. My situation is this.  I am getting a new computer with two drives, the second will be arch and the first will be Vista (for my wife).  I want the computer to boot the same way that my wife's machine boots at work so I don't want to install grub on the MBR.  So, is there a way to have all of the grub config files and kernels installed on the second drive and simply install to grub boot loader to the MBR of a USB stick?  My goal would be to simply plug the USB stick into the new PC and boot arch from the second drive. 

Thanks
Kev

rayjgu3

Member

From: Chicago IL usa

Registered: 2004-07-04

Posts: 695

Re: A question about grub and USB

yes this should work
so arch is installed where primary slave, secondary master, sata ,scsi, usb ?
you want your configuration files pointing to right direction check /boot/grub/device.map  for boot devices
if your usb(/dev/sdX) is not in there simply add it
alot of newer pc's offer the use of a boot menu via F2, F8 or F11 keys  with this it may be possible to let each drive have its own MBR then put vista as default & when you wish to have arch hit your menu key in POST then choose your drive & boot

iKevin

Member

From: Ann Arbor, MI

Registered: 2003-07-20

Posts: 132

Re: A question about grub and USB

Thanks for you reply. I don't have the PC yet - it is on its way.  It is a SATA system.  The boot menu via F2, F8 or F11 keys sounds interesting.  It is an HP computer.  Would you happen to know if the BIOS supports the boot menu?

Kev

rayjgu3

Member

From: Chicago IL usa

Registered: 2004-07-04

Posts: 695

Re: A question about grub and USB

i cant say for hp's
havent worked on any in a while
recent machines have been coupleof dell's , vaio & emachine
which dells do offer it at least the ones i tried , my laptop does(dell)
all home pc's are built by me which do offer to boot individual drives
what hp you getting it may tell in specs
are both discs sata? if so it might not offer this option with 2 drives of same interface

check your power supply alot of these preconfigured machines put cheap under reated power supplies in there
& will burn your motherboard i just replaced PS(250 watt) & mobo(845gvsr) in an emachines <cheap stuff<
i hope you researched the pc before buying ie : mobo, power supply are the biggest concerns

i find it much more benificial to build my own machine gives me peace at mind. the cost is sometimes more in $ but not always , your biggest expense is time researching hardware
if you live in usa the best places to start looking are bensbargains.net & pricewatch.com
i am not affiliated with either & niether sell the hardware they are just advertisers a place to buy
for costomized machines that i would trust is unitedmicro.com theyll asemble & test before shipping
i have gotten 2 machines so far from them with NO PROBLEMS with hardware (knock knock)
you may want to consider this in your next venture for pc

iKevin

Member

From: Ann Arbor, MI

Registered: 2003-07-20

Posts: 132

Re: A question about grub and USB

Hi,

Thanks for the note.  The machine is an HP a6050y.   I had built my last two systems (all SCSI) and I agree with the quality issue.  I got a good discount through our employee purchase plan and I have no time these days to buy all the parts and assemble.  Two young kids and working long hours.

I don't have the box yet but I download the manual and the bios section is very sparse.  I will have to wait and see.

Thanks
Kev