Question about Bootable external HD

WD External and Portable SSD External SSD for Windows
1

Hi all,

I am trying to create a bootable Linux operating system on my WD 1.5 Eternal HD. I have partitioned 230 GB of the HD and followed installation instructions for Fedora 14. But when I try to boot I get “Error Loading Operating System”. I am just wondering if it is a mistake I am making or my WD My Book doesn’t support bootable partitions?

2

Im not sure about the Linux but have you tryed using the alingment tool?

3

As far as I know, the new external drives, the ones that are bundle with Smartware, do not support bootable partitions.

I could be mistaken…

4

The answer given by WDC tech support id that booting is not supported on any Smartware enabled drives.  The firmware will interfere with the booting process.  Even if the VCD is hidden, the firmware is active.

However, playing around with my drive, I believe that it may depend on your computer’s BIOS as to whether or not booting is possible.  Even then the firmware seems to interfere in inexplicable ways.  Tech support was not able to tell me how the firmware interferes to see if there was a workaround.