Booting Unbuntu from WD external

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So I'm attempting to set up an external drive so that I can boot Ubuntu from it. I downloaded the 32bit file from the Ubuntu website and installed it to the drive using a cd. When I attempt to restart the computer and hold option, I'm only given Mac as a choice to boot with, then the computer doesn't acknowledge the drive as readable. What am I missing that I have to do?

I have a macbook with osx 10.4.11.

The external drive is a WD my passport essential.
 

vansmith

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Your Mac's Specs
Mini (2014, 2018, 2020), MBA (2020), iPad Pro (2018), iPhone 13 Pro Max, Watch (S6)
AFAIK, not all Macs (especially older ones) can boot from USB drives (I'll let someone chime in here who is more knowledgeable than I about this). Your model may be one that can only boot from FireWire devices. What model of MacBook are you using (Apple logo > About this Mac > More Info... > Hardware Overview > Model Identifier)?
 

chscag

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2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
That model should be able to boot from USB. Are you sure that you installed GRUB correctly? Also, you should probably use rEFIt as your boot menu and loader.
 
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i think grub is the problem. i installed refit and it began booting but then said there was an issue with legacy. im not sure what that means or how to install grub really.
 

chscag

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OK. We need to get you some easy instructions to follow. Go to the Ubuntu User Forums and look for installing Ubuntu on an external drive. I suspect when you installed GRUB you selected an incorrect mount point. I've made the same mistake myself... Go here.

Look for installation instructions, step by step, or ask in the installation forum.
 

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