Source: http://universal-usb-installer.en.malavida.com/

Comment: I used the same tutorial to install Linux Mint 12 on my 80gb seagate harddisk and it worked alright.

Install your favorite Linux distro on a USB pendrive.

If you are willing to start to immerse yourself in Linux environment, but you are still don't want to install this operating system on the hard drive together with your current Windows operating system, Universal USB Installer is an application that will make it a lot easier for you to take your first steps in the open source systems.

  With Universal USB Installer it is very easy to install any Linux distro on your pendrive, because you only have to follow the steps that are indicated in the interface:

  1. Select from the vast amount of distributions that the application offers you to install it on your pendrive.

  2. Find the corresponding ISO or ZIP file on your hard drive. If you can't find it, Universal USB Installer will offer you the possibility to download the ISO of the distribution you have chosen to save it on your hard drive and use it with the application.

  3. Finally, connect your pendrive to the USB port and select the corresponding option.

  Once you have performed these steps, it will start the installation of the distro you have chosen. Take into account that it is advisable to format the USB device to obtain a clean installation, but that if you do so you will loose all the information that it contains.