[ale] Clues for installing Linux to HD under qemu

[tom]

This is becoming irritating. Either I'm not bright enough to read between 
the appropriate lines and/or my google foo is super wimpy and not going to 
right links. Whatever the reason, the result in irritating.

I think my need is simple. My main machine is running an outdated 
version of linux, and I _really_ need to replace the software. My backup 
computer died a little bit ago, or I'd put my spare HD in there and 
configure up the replacement software, swap boxes, and copy files.

Instead, what looks like I might should do is perform an install under 
qemu to the spare hard disk, faking the dual network cards on the real 
hardware. Then test, copy, followed by swapping the hard disk into the 
main machine. Hopefully this would be minimal down time with maximal 
testing.

>From my reading so far, I'm convinced that qemu can grab the new hard disk 
connected to a USB adaptor I have, and can run up the dual nics. I just 
haven't figured the incantation to use...

Well, that and I'm not sure enough of myself at the moment as too the 
existence of booby traps for this booby

Anybody have a clue by four to beat me with that they are willing to 
share?