Install Arch Linux to external hard disk using a Virtual Machine?












2















I have an external hard disk and I want to install Arch Linux on it. I want to have access to the online the documentation. Is it possible to install it from a VM so I could have access to the documentation?










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  • You can access the wiki from within the Live install using a text browser like links or w3m...

    – jasonwryan
    Mar 10 '13 at 3:41











  • great! I didn't know about that

    – ngwdaniel
    Mar 10 '13 at 4:09
















2















I have an external hard disk and I want to install Arch Linux on it. I want to have access to the online the documentation. Is it possible to install it from a VM so I could have access to the documentation?










share|improve this question

























  • You can access the wiki from within the Live install using a text browser like links or w3m...

    – jasonwryan
    Mar 10 '13 at 3:41











  • great! I didn't know about that

    – ngwdaniel
    Mar 10 '13 at 4:09














2












2








2








I have an external hard disk and I want to install Arch Linux on it. I want to have access to the online the documentation. Is it possible to install it from a VM so I could have access to the documentation?










share|improve this question
















I have an external hard disk and I want to install Arch Linux on it. I want to have access to the online the documentation. Is it possible to install it from a VM so I could have access to the documentation?







arch-linux system-installation virtual-machine






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edited Feb 10 at 19:03









Rui F Ribeiro

40.5k1479137




40.5k1479137










asked Mar 10 '13 at 3:38









ngwdanielngwdaniel

2101410




2101410













  • You can access the wiki from within the Live install using a text browser like links or w3m...

    – jasonwryan
    Mar 10 '13 at 3:41











  • great! I didn't know about that

    – ngwdaniel
    Mar 10 '13 at 4:09



















  • You can access the wiki from within the Live install using a text browser like links or w3m...

    – jasonwryan
    Mar 10 '13 at 3:41











  • great! I didn't know about that

    – ngwdaniel
    Mar 10 '13 at 4:09

















You can access the wiki from within the Live install using a text browser like links or w3m...

– jasonwryan
Mar 10 '13 at 3:41





You can access the wiki from within the Live install using a text browser like links or w3m...

– jasonwryan
Mar 10 '13 at 3:41













great! I didn't know about that

– ngwdaniel
Mar 10 '13 at 4:09





great! I didn't know about that

– ngwdaniel
Mar 10 '13 at 4:09










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















1














This actually can be done directly using VirtualBox using the following steps:




  1. BACK UP ALL DATA ON YOUR EXTERNAL

  2. Create a Virtualbox VM without attaching a storage device

  3. Find and note the device path of your external hard drive. This should be something like /dev/sdb. Make sure you have this right or you could lose a lot of data.

  4. Run the following command in a terminal: VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename /path/to/file.vmdk -rawdisk /dev/sda replacing /dev/sda with the path you noted in step 3. Replace /path/to/file.vmdk with some location on your main hard drive. This file simply provides the information necessary to tell VirtualBox how to mount your external, do not save this file on the external it self.

  5. Go back into the VirtualBox UI, and attach that file you created in step 4 to your VM and boot it.

  6. Install Arch Linux like you would on a normal VM.






share|improve this answer































    0














    After you create the Live USB from the latest .iso Arch Linux - Download). Reboot your computer from USB. Once you're booted into the live system in the root directory there is a install.txt file that you can view that contains instructions on installing the system.



    Also, the live media ships two very useful applications:





    • irssi (irc chat client)



      /server irc.freenode.net



      /msg nickserv help (register your nick or you wont be able to speak in #archlinux)



      /join #archlinux



    • elinks (terminal web browser)



    But, while you're download the .iso and making the boot media you might want to look over this document.




    • Arch Linux - Installation Guide






    share|improve this answer































      0














      I think you don't need a VM for that at all. You can create your own Archiso, have a look at this: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Archiso






      share|improve this answer































        0














        There are two ways to do that:




        1. Create a virtual harddrive on the external harddrive and install Arch on it.

        2. Mount the external harddrive natively to the virtual machine and install Arch on it.


        While im pretty sure the first way will work, it leaves you with a virtual harddrive. If you want to install arch natively on your external harddrive, you will need to copy the whole contents of the virtual hd to your native hd after you finished installing.
        The documentation of your vm should state how to do that.



        The other way would be mounting your hd natively to your vm. Obviously, you need a virtual machine that is able to do that or it wont work. Without any guest additions, i dont know any vm that is able to do that.



        All these ways are not very elegant to go, so i recommend you not to try it. Instead, try to find a way to access the documentation without using a vm.
        You could print the documentation.
        If you have a second pc or a tablet, you could use that to browse the documentation.






        share|improve this answer























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          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

          votes








          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes









          1














          This actually can be done directly using VirtualBox using the following steps:




          1. BACK UP ALL DATA ON YOUR EXTERNAL

          2. Create a Virtualbox VM without attaching a storage device

          3. Find and note the device path of your external hard drive. This should be something like /dev/sdb. Make sure you have this right or you could lose a lot of data.

          4. Run the following command in a terminal: VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename /path/to/file.vmdk -rawdisk /dev/sda replacing /dev/sda with the path you noted in step 3. Replace /path/to/file.vmdk with some location on your main hard drive. This file simply provides the information necessary to tell VirtualBox how to mount your external, do not save this file on the external it self.

          5. Go back into the VirtualBox UI, and attach that file you created in step 4 to your VM and boot it.

          6. Install Arch Linux like you would on a normal VM.






          share|improve this answer




























            1














            This actually can be done directly using VirtualBox using the following steps:




            1. BACK UP ALL DATA ON YOUR EXTERNAL

            2. Create a Virtualbox VM without attaching a storage device

            3. Find and note the device path of your external hard drive. This should be something like /dev/sdb. Make sure you have this right or you could lose a lot of data.

            4. Run the following command in a terminal: VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename /path/to/file.vmdk -rawdisk /dev/sda replacing /dev/sda with the path you noted in step 3. Replace /path/to/file.vmdk with some location on your main hard drive. This file simply provides the information necessary to tell VirtualBox how to mount your external, do not save this file on the external it self.

            5. Go back into the VirtualBox UI, and attach that file you created in step 4 to your VM and boot it.

            6. Install Arch Linux like you would on a normal VM.






            share|improve this answer


























              1












              1








              1







              This actually can be done directly using VirtualBox using the following steps:




              1. BACK UP ALL DATA ON YOUR EXTERNAL

              2. Create a Virtualbox VM without attaching a storage device

              3. Find and note the device path of your external hard drive. This should be something like /dev/sdb. Make sure you have this right or you could lose a lot of data.

              4. Run the following command in a terminal: VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename /path/to/file.vmdk -rawdisk /dev/sda replacing /dev/sda with the path you noted in step 3. Replace /path/to/file.vmdk with some location on your main hard drive. This file simply provides the information necessary to tell VirtualBox how to mount your external, do not save this file on the external it self.

              5. Go back into the VirtualBox UI, and attach that file you created in step 4 to your VM and boot it.

              6. Install Arch Linux like you would on a normal VM.






              share|improve this answer













              This actually can be done directly using VirtualBox using the following steps:




              1. BACK UP ALL DATA ON YOUR EXTERNAL

              2. Create a Virtualbox VM without attaching a storage device

              3. Find and note the device path of your external hard drive. This should be something like /dev/sdb. Make sure you have this right or you could lose a lot of data.

              4. Run the following command in a terminal: VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename /path/to/file.vmdk -rawdisk /dev/sda replacing /dev/sda with the path you noted in step 3. Replace /path/to/file.vmdk with some location on your main hard drive. This file simply provides the information necessary to tell VirtualBox how to mount your external, do not save this file on the external it self.

              5. Go back into the VirtualBox UI, and attach that file you created in step 4 to your VM and boot it.

              6. Install Arch Linux like you would on a normal VM.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered Jul 25 '13 at 15:49









              Jacob WiltseJacob Wiltse

              39614




              39614

























                  0














                  After you create the Live USB from the latest .iso Arch Linux - Download). Reboot your computer from USB. Once you're booted into the live system in the root directory there is a install.txt file that you can view that contains instructions on installing the system.



                  Also, the live media ships two very useful applications:





                  • irssi (irc chat client)



                    /server irc.freenode.net



                    /msg nickserv help (register your nick or you wont be able to speak in #archlinux)



                    /join #archlinux



                  • elinks (terminal web browser)



                  But, while you're download the .iso and making the boot media you might want to look over this document.




                  • Arch Linux - Installation Guide






                  share|improve this answer




























                    0














                    After you create the Live USB from the latest .iso Arch Linux - Download). Reboot your computer from USB. Once you're booted into the live system in the root directory there is a install.txt file that you can view that contains instructions on installing the system.



                    Also, the live media ships two very useful applications:





                    • irssi (irc chat client)



                      /server irc.freenode.net



                      /msg nickserv help (register your nick or you wont be able to speak in #archlinux)



                      /join #archlinux



                    • elinks (terminal web browser)



                    But, while you're download the .iso and making the boot media you might want to look over this document.




                    • Arch Linux - Installation Guide






                    share|improve this answer


























                      0












                      0








                      0







                      After you create the Live USB from the latest .iso Arch Linux - Download). Reboot your computer from USB. Once you're booted into the live system in the root directory there is a install.txt file that you can view that contains instructions on installing the system.



                      Also, the live media ships two very useful applications:





                      • irssi (irc chat client)



                        /server irc.freenode.net



                        /msg nickserv help (register your nick or you wont be able to speak in #archlinux)



                        /join #archlinux



                      • elinks (terminal web browser)



                      But, while you're download the .iso and making the boot media you might want to look over this document.




                      • Arch Linux - Installation Guide






                      share|improve this answer













                      After you create the Live USB from the latest .iso Arch Linux - Download). Reboot your computer from USB. Once you're booted into the live system in the root directory there is a install.txt file that you can view that contains instructions on installing the system.



                      Also, the live media ships two very useful applications:





                      • irssi (irc chat client)



                        /server irc.freenode.net



                        /msg nickserv help (register your nick or you wont be able to speak in #archlinux)



                        /join #archlinux



                      • elinks (terminal web browser)



                      But, while you're download the .iso and making the boot media you might want to look over this document.




                      • Arch Linux - Installation Guide







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered Mar 10 '13 at 6:35









                      cinellicinelli

                      1,059713




                      1,059713























                          0














                          I think you don't need a VM for that at all. You can create your own Archiso, have a look at this: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Archiso






                          share|improve this answer




























                            0














                            I think you don't need a VM for that at all. You can create your own Archiso, have a look at this: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Archiso






                            share|improve this answer


























                              0












                              0








                              0







                              I think you don't need a VM for that at all. You can create your own Archiso, have a look at this: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Archiso






                              share|improve this answer













                              I think you don't need a VM for that at all. You can create your own Archiso, have a look at this: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Archiso







                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered May 10 '13 at 11:49









                              AlkoAlko

                              7471515




                              7471515























                                  0














                                  There are two ways to do that:




                                  1. Create a virtual harddrive on the external harddrive and install Arch on it.

                                  2. Mount the external harddrive natively to the virtual machine and install Arch on it.


                                  While im pretty sure the first way will work, it leaves you with a virtual harddrive. If you want to install arch natively on your external harddrive, you will need to copy the whole contents of the virtual hd to your native hd after you finished installing.
                                  The documentation of your vm should state how to do that.



                                  The other way would be mounting your hd natively to your vm. Obviously, you need a virtual machine that is able to do that or it wont work. Without any guest additions, i dont know any vm that is able to do that.



                                  All these ways are not very elegant to go, so i recommend you not to try it. Instead, try to find a way to access the documentation without using a vm.
                                  You could print the documentation.
                                  If you have a second pc or a tablet, you could use that to browse the documentation.






                                  share|improve this answer




























                                    0














                                    There are two ways to do that:




                                    1. Create a virtual harddrive on the external harddrive and install Arch on it.

                                    2. Mount the external harddrive natively to the virtual machine and install Arch on it.


                                    While im pretty sure the first way will work, it leaves you with a virtual harddrive. If you want to install arch natively on your external harddrive, you will need to copy the whole contents of the virtual hd to your native hd after you finished installing.
                                    The documentation of your vm should state how to do that.



                                    The other way would be mounting your hd natively to your vm. Obviously, you need a virtual machine that is able to do that or it wont work. Without any guest additions, i dont know any vm that is able to do that.



                                    All these ways are not very elegant to go, so i recommend you not to try it. Instead, try to find a way to access the documentation without using a vm.
                                    You could print the documentation.
                                    If you have a second pc or a tablet, you could use that to browse the documentation.






                                    share|improve this answer


























                                      0












                                      0








                                      0







                                      There are two ways to do that:




                                      1. Create a virtual harddrive on the external harddrive and install Arch on it.

                                      2. Mount the external harddrive natively to the virtual machine and install Arch on it.


                                      While im pretty sure the first way will work, it leaves you with a virtual harddrive. If you want to install arch natively on your external harddrive, you will need to copy the whole contents of the virtual hd to your native hd after you finished installing.
                                      The documentation of your vm should state how to do that.



                                      The other way would be mounting your hd natively to your vm. Obviously, you need a virtual machine that is able to do that or it wont work. Without any guest additions, i dont know any vm that is able to do that.



                                      All these ways are not very elegant to go, so i recommend you not to try it. Instead, try to find a way to access the documentation without using a vm.
                                      You could print the documentation.
                                      If you have a second pc or a tablet, you could use that to browse the documentation.






                                      share|improve this answer













                                      There are two ways to do that:




                                      1. Create a virtual harddrive on the external harddrive and install Arch on it.

                                      2. Mount the external harddrive natively to the virtual machine and install Arch on it.


                                      While im pretty sure the first way will work, it leaves you with a virtual harddrive. If you want to install arch natively on your external harddrive, you will need to copy the whole contents of the virtual hd to your native hd after you finished installing.
                                      The documentation of your vm should state how to do that.



                                      The other way would be mounting your hd natively to your vm. Obviously, you need a virtual machine that is able to do that or it wont work. Without any guest additions, i dont know any vm that is able to do that.



                                      All these ways are not very elegant to go, so i recommend you not to try it. Instead, try to find a way to access the documentation without using a vm.
                                      You could print the documentation.
                                      If you have a second pc or a tablet, you could use that to browse the documentation.







                                      share|improve this answer












                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer










                                      answered Jul 25 '13 at 13:44









                                      Oznerol256Oznerol256

                                      1536




                                      1536






























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