Booting from an external HD

[H2OSX]

Is it possible to install an operationg system on an external HD and the boot from it? If so, how do ya do it.

Thnks-

 

[ElDiabloConCaca]

Yes, it's possible on newer machines (G4 AGP machines and newer). Simply boot from your OS X install CD and select the external disk as the destination.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58606

 

[Zammy-Sam]

once it's installed you can easily switch between the bootable devices using the option key while booting or changing the settings in System Preferences -> Startup Disk

 

[Randman]

Make sure the external drive has permissions repaired. And if you have Disk Warrior, it's not a bad idea to defrag.
And while you can boot from an iPod, it's not recommended unless an absolute emergency as the iPod hard drive isn't built for long-term usage such as that.

 

[g/re/p]

And while you can boot from an iPod, it's not recommended unless an absolute emergency as the iPod hard drive isn't built for long-term usage such as that.

After the HDD on my iBook died, i installed
Panther onto my iPod - i have been using the iBook booted from the iPod for several months now and have had no problems whatsoever.

 

[Satcomer]

You should get a new hard drive and install it. Hard drives are cheap these days. Just use http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/ and use the search lasso and get a feel from other's experiences to get an idea for what to buy and how to install it.