Can i install vista to an external hd

[apinney]

Windows will not boot. Can I install vista on an external hd, copy my old hd to the external hd (minus bad vista), then format the old hd and copy everything back? If that will not work, can I plug in a new internal hd and do the same thing? (I can't see how it would not work on one but not the other, but that's why I'm asking the questions.)

 

[ksiemb]

Windows will not boot. Can I install vista on an external hd, copy my old hd to the external hd (minus bad vista), then format the old hd and copy everything back? If that will not work, can I plug in a new internal hd and do the same thing? (I can't see how it would not work on one but not the other, but that's why I'm asking the questions.)

Obviously you have a CD to install, why not just repair-install the current hard drive, unless of course the reason for no boot is a hard drive error to begin with.

 

[hang-the-9]

Just install the new drive in your system, re-install Windows on that, why go though extra steps?

 

[apinney]

Windows will not boot. I wanted to install vista on another drive, then copy what I wanted from the old drive over and just use the old one for a backup. I was not backing up before, but will make sure I do from this point on.

I got a new internal hd and installed vista there. I also plugged in my old drive, but it says access is denied. It does not show my cd/dvd drive in sata2 either (I moved it from 1 to 2; is that a problem?)

So now I have a working copy of vista, my virus protection, and web browser, but that is all. How do I get my pictures, msoffice, music, games, etc from the old drive to the new one?

 

[hang-the-9]

Take ownership of the files in the drive though the Security tab, should fix the access error.
The CD drive should show up no matter where it is, check the connections and power to the drive.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Best answer selected by Area51reopened.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

This topic has been closed by Area51reopened