What do I need to do to run Unix or Linux from an external hard drive?

[babyjanelacs@yah]

I've just started a computer course and have been told to get Linux or, even better, Unix on my computer. I've got some advice and decided to install it onto my external hard drive. However, I'm pants with computers and have no idea how to do this. How is it possible to save an OS to an external hard drive? How does it boot? Will it run if Vista is on my computer's hard disk? Will the programs I've got on Vista be available in Linux/Unix? Could doing this screw up my computer? I hope this gets across how clueless I am. Could someone answer these questions and give me some step by step instructions for how to install it please? Would be appreciated! Cheers.

[CMonster]

1. How to install Linux to an External USB hard disk | USB Pen Drive Linux

2. typically the system BIOS would have to be set to boot from external device first

3. no - but you should be able to run Vista in a virtual machine and you can still boot Vista separately

4. no - Linux/UNIX is not Windows and doesn't natively run Windows programs -- there are ways to get some Windows programs running in a *nix environment but why not check out many of the free alternatives to popular Windows programs?

5. yes YOU can screw up your computer -- always back up your important data

My final suggestion is to try a CD based version of Linux like knoppix Knoppix Linux or get yourself a second hand PC and dedicate it to Linux