Linux distro that can run from a USB drive

[Jowin]

Hello everyone...... My desktop Pc had a hard drive failure and I do not wish to buy a new hard-drive now Can I use the desktop in this manner by installing an OS on a USB drive and then booting the computer and though the hard drive can't boot it is able to store information on it and the OS in the pendrive would be able to store files in the hard drive as well? If such a solution with any linux distro is possible please tell me how

[hellnoire]

Puppy Linux would fit your needs. However, if your HDD failed, no OS could just suddenly make it be able to write there. You'd be writing to your Pendrive only.

[Jowin]

I ran puppy from the USB drive but it wasn't able to show me my hard drive the only thing it showed me was the pen drive Doesn't puppy linux show hard drive when running from a USB or It wasn't able to show me the hard drive as the hard drive has failed?

[hellnoire]

If it doesn't see the hard drive, it's because it's either disconnected or failed. Easiest way to tell which is which, open Terminal (think it should be under Utilities, but check all of them and see) and run

fdisk -l

in the Terminal

If it only shows up your flash drive... your hdd is Dead On Arrival. Way you can tell is to watch the size of the drives that come up after listing that command.

[Jowin]

I ran puppy linux again it showed the hard drive!The fdisk- l command also showed the hard drive.

[hellnoire]

Mind pasting what it's output was? Because I'm finding that hard to believe if you're complaining about a possibility of not being able to install any OS on a different thread.

Either that or open the case and check and see how tight your cables are connected.

[Jowin]

The output of the command was this Is the hard drive usable......

[hellnoire]

Yepo, that does report it usable. Odd about your errors on the other thread then.