Ubuntu

Ubuntu on a HDD on a shared machine

Asked by linux_enthu

Preamble
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I have been a windows user for 20 years
I have always been scared of linux
I've always thought it is for geeks with spectacles and grey beards

Then...
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I stumbled upon ubuntu 1..2 weeks ago
Its been love at first sight
i could do many tasks without touching the command window ( not that i hate commands ...i do not know linux commands )

now ....
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* I need a machine. On this machine, I need to work on spread sheets, word processor , presentations, do web mail, do browsing , make some photo edits, read pdf etc... Pretty normal stuff. NO gaming, very limited you tube .

* I need to store lots and lots of spread sheets and word processor docs and pdf files and photos

I have tried libre office on ubuntu and seem to again....love it at first sight

I use Firefox..the native text editor on Ubuntu is better than dos / windows notepad

Then there is this beautiful Ubuntu community ....so Ubuntu for sure it seems

On this new machine, I have three options ( so I think !!! )
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* I can buy a windows machine..laptop ...get on the m$ treadmill

* I can buy a windows ** type ** machine ..laptop without windows or ms office and install Ubuntu full package there on the HDD

* I have a shared machine where I can't install anything or store anything on that machine's native hdd . But that machine will boot from USB . Ip can buy a USB HDD , make a bootable drive on that HDD , use the shared machine on Ubuntu , working / storing only on that HDD . Obviously this seems most risky, still I want OT know if this is possible ( say option 3 )!

Is the HDD option ( option 3 ) feasible ?

That will delay my laptop purchase ....give me a god idea of Ubuntu , but I will try that only if I can install stuff and store stuff on that HDD

What would you suggest ?

Thanks in advance for your help and support

Regards

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

Use Windows disk manager to resize NTFS and make a dual boot. You can use your existing hardware and boot USB with persistence and system changes will stick. You could even boot to install CD and install to the USB storage like a normal drive. If you unpartition a USB stick you can install to that and you will know which device to install to.

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linux_enthu (hisupiramani) said : 		#2

/////Use Windows disk manager to resize NTFS and make a dual boot. /////

I have to learn how to do this...will read around and learn... However which disk / which devise is to be made dual boot ? The shared machine ? = then the answer is sorry NO , i only share that machine not fully own and so am not allowed major changes . If you are talking about some other devise like the USB external HDD , then could you please elaborate ..thanks ...

////You could even boot to install CD and install to the USB storage like a normal drive. If////

I think this sounds the most promising
. So
1. I create a bootable Ubuntu cd, with persistence ( any suggestions on how many GB persistence etc ? )
2. then boot with Ubuntu cd on the shared machine
3. Access USB external HDD as a normal devise and install fresh programs and save stuff on that devise and what is saved there will stick ? Right ?
4. Remove cd and USB external HDD when Linux session is over
This was the shared machine will not be used for storage etc. ?

Thanks again
And regards

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#3

The persistence only applies to USB storage / SD cards. Changes in the liveCD will be lost at reboot unless you write them to a magnetic media. In Linux you don't select where you install applications like you do in Windows. The file system is structured and binaries and libraries will go where they need to be.

You can also boot to the install CD, plug in a USB storage device and install to it as if it were an internal drive. The OS will run slower than a regular install due to slow USB but it will run.

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