this post was submitted on 22 Jun 2023
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How to install Linux on a USB without deleting the old bootloader? (lemmygrad.ml)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by silent_clash@lemmygrad.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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I just tried installing Ubuntu Budgie spin on a USB and it seemingly deleted/replaced my Linux Mint bootloader from an internal drive so I could no longer boot Mint without plugging in the Ubuntu USB. When I tried to boot from the Mint drive I just got a blank Grub prompt instead of a list of kernels.

Thankfully I was able to reverse this using Timeshift.

How do you avoid this? I didn't see any relevant options in the Live USB install process. And I have had similar problems like this before.

The behavior I want is to have two standalone Linux bootloaders on separate drives. I suppose I could just disconnect all system drives during install so that the Ubuntu install process can't fuck with it...

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[–] cyclohexane@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I understand now. You're following the wrong approach for installing on a USB. Installing to USB is done purely by burning an ISO to it. If you run a standard traditional installer, it will think the USB is just another disk on your computer, and will hence modify the host computer's bootloader accordingly.

There may be a way to do what you're trying to do without burning a ISO, but I'm not sure. But the way you're doing it is definitely not right.

[–] silent_clash@lemmygrad.ml 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

But that's a live environment that doesn't save anything you install, right? That's not what I want.

I can't even install Nvidia drivers permanently which means I can't actually "try" it properly. The generic drivers/nomodeset can't run high refresh rate so I can't see how laggy it does or does not feel.

Based on what you're saying, I guess the only way to not remove the old bootloader would be to physically disconnect the other Linux system drive while it installs. Because having to use the USB to load the local system is really really not ideal.

Edit: I learned you can make a live usb with persistent storage which lets you install and update programs. However, there are limitations.

  1. No password or security unless it's Tails or something
  2. Still cannot install extra drivers.
  3. Takes longer to boot
  4. You can never do a major upgrade like updating the kernel without burning a brand new live environment.