[PLUG] Install Distribution on External Hard Drive

[Aaron Burt]

On Thu, Jul 14, 2011 at 01:24:12PM -0700, Rich Shepard wrote:
>    Allow me to re-phrase the question: Can I attache a brand-new drive to a
> running host and install the OS on that external drive while the host
> continues to be used?

Debian allows something like this with a "chroot install" but I'm not sure
Slackware offers similar functionality.  You could use a VM (with the USB
drive attached as its drive) but that might be about as much trouble as
just doing a regular reboot-and-install.

Usually for me, the cost of buying hardware is less than the value of my
time, or the value of having an ordinary install instead of an exotic one.

>    My alternative is to buy a second keyboard and borrow a small monitor and
> install it using the Jetway Ion-Top box that's going to be a network storage
> device here. (I no longer have a KVM switch and have only a single monitor
> and keyboard.)

You need a monitor and keyboard on the other machine *while* you're doing
the install?  KVMs are cheap at FreeGeek.  KBs/Monitors are free to borrow
at the Clinic. (Which is THIS SUNDAY, everyone!)

Regards,
  Aaron