Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (
More info?)
Anna, I'll be sure to make that notation on any future postings about
Removable/External Boot devices. Thanks
"Anna" <myname@myisp.net> wrote in message
news:uyfm%23MnqFHA.3540@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>
>>>> "DaleB" wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi:
>>>>>
>>>>> I am currently looking at what laptops are available for purchase
>>>>> and would like to know if Windows can be installed on an external
>>>>> (e.g., USB, FireWire) device (e.g., CD, DVD, memory card
>>>>> (thumb-drive))
>>>>> so that it boots from there, not the internal Hard Disk.
>>>>>
>>>>> How would I be able to determine this (in advance) so that I know the
>>>>> laptop's capabilities/limitations prior to buying it ?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you
>
>
>>> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" <mrxp2004@nospamyahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:BC1A4277-90C1-40A6-951A-4648547FE8FC@microsoft.com...
>>>> Windows XP cannot be installed on an external drive.
>>>> It must be installed on an internal drive.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Carey Frisch
>>>> Microsoft MVP
>>>> Windows XP - Shell/User
>
>
>> "Anna" <myname@myisp.net> wrote in message
>> news:emCu4clqFHA.908@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>>> Just to "flesh-out" Carey's comment a bit...
>>>
>>> Carey is correct in that XP cannot be *directly* installed on an
>>> external drive, however, using a disk imaging program, e.g., Norton
>>> Ghost or Acronis True Image, that operating system can be "cloned" from
>>> one's internal HD to the external one. In the case of a USB/Firewire
>>> external HD as the recipient of the clone, that device will *not* be
>>> bootable, but its contents could later be cloned back to the internal
>>> drive should the need arise for restoration purposes.
>>> Anna
>
>
> "R. McCarty" <PcEngWork-NoSpam_@mindspring.com> wrote in message
> news:eECrxhlqFHA.2072@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>> Good point - just one more time can I mention that it's not
>> external that is the criteria - but removable. There has been
>> SCSI and now SATA-IO "External" drives that can support
>> XP installation & booting.
>
>
> Mr. McCarty:
> And a good point by you with respect to SATA external drives that can be
> connected to a motherboard's *external* SATA connector (eSATA connector on
> the newer motherboards). Some of these devices also have USB capability as
> well. It may not be too long before these devices actually supplant the
> USB external hard drives so in use today.
>
> But (as I believe I mentioned to you in a previous posting re this
> subject), a "removable" drive, i.e., a hard drive contained in a removable
> tray within a mobile rack that's affixed to the computer, is, in *all*
> respects, an "internal" drive that has the *full" capability of a normal
> internal hard drive. So although it's *removable*, it can contain a
> bootable XP operating system with no problem of any kind.
> Anna
>
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