Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: CompBoy09 on September 03, 2007, 11:17:26 AM

Title: External Hard Drive as Main Hard Drive?(Changed)
Post by: CompBoy09 on September 03, 2007, 11:17:26 AM
How can I use an external hard drive to boot windows?My newer computer has a now-defunct hard drive.I want to use the files on this computer and use it on my newer one,which has the better memory and better processor.

Now I'm not sure if copying files from another computer to an external hard drive to make it work with another computer will make some hardware conflict.
Title: Re: External Hard Drive as Main Hard Drive?
Post by: Deerpark on September 03, 2007, 12:49:34 PM
I don't know about older versions of Windows but XP and newer doesn't like being booted from external hard drives will not at all without some serious customization. Since you haven't told us what version of windows you plan on using it is hard to guide you further except to say that the general advice is to not attempt it.
Title: Re: External Hard Drive as Main Hard Drive?
Post by: CompBoy09 on September 03, 2007, 03:27:13 PM
Um,not sure what version this computer is using,do you know where I can find the version at?All I know is that this computer is Windows XP Home Edition
Title: Re: External Hard Drive as Main Hard Drive?
Post by: Deerpark on September 03, 2007, 03:31:24 PM
XP Home would be the version then.
You can take a look at this if you really want to try it.
http://www.ngine.de/index.jsp?pageid=4176
Title: Re: External Hard Drive as Main Hard Drive?
Post by: patio on September 03, 2007, 05:45:23 PM
2 things you need to consider...
1) you have to find out if your MBoard supports booting to a USB device...if it doesn't this is an excersize in futility.
2) Follow the link above an dalso google "booting XP from an external drive" and see what is involved.
It's difficult to do at best but this is by design. I guess Gates didn't want everyone walking around with bootable external drives for some reason...
Title: Re: External Hard Drive as Main Hard Drive?
Post by: soybean on September 04, 2007, 09:28:32 AM
Quote from: CompBoy09 on September 03, 2007, 11:17:26 AM
How can I use an external hard drive to boot windows?My newer computer has a now-defunct hard drive.I want to use the files on this computer and use it on my newer one,which has the better memory and better processor.

Now I'm not sure if copying files  from another computer to an external hard drive to make it work with another computer will make some hardware conflict.
You haven't stated your question clearly.  What "files" are you talking about?  Why do you need to boot from the external hard drive if you just want to transfer some files to another, functional, computer?