I would like to run 2 OS (in case one fails ), but really don't want to install them both on the main drive, even different partitions (had some pain in the past 
). can I install an OS (preferably Vista) on an external USB hard drive??? will I be able to boot from it, lets say if my main OS fails.
many thanks. th'at's depend on your lmmotherbord, in myn,
look on bios there were somewhere a option about your boot driver. or (like mine) I have a option with what can I boot first.
jsut try
a++
| DimaSafr wrote: |
| I would like to run 2 OS (in case one fails ), but really don't want to install them both on the main drive, even different partitions (had some pain in the past ). |
Let me tell You, what I have on my computer at the moment. On two harddrives I have 2 Windows98 (identical) and 3 Windows XP, without any difficulties. There is no need to put one system "far away". Both of my drives have a starting aktive primary partition. if I start from drive 0, it ist C: an d drive 1 ist D:. If I start from Drive 1, it ist C: and drive 0 is D. Starting with win98 makes the startdrive C:. Why do I have so many systems. Becaus I think the same that you do. I want allways a working system. At the moment I have 5. All thes five systems use the same common files, Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, Favorites, History, Program files and so on, that are all on drive E:. So the backup of drve C: or D: takes 2.5 minutes each with Norton Ghost. If I have any configuration prblems, I just play back the last backup. O.k. not allways, but in these cases where reconfiguring takes too long time. I use a toll to clean the registry files. (V-com Fix-it) Without such tools it is nearly impossible to move system files to other folders. You can install from C: another Windows XP to another partition without difficulties. My third XP i put to drive G:, because i wanted one system without the Service pack 2, to play easily websites that I have grabbed to my harddrives. No problem at all. I can freely make all these experiments, besause I would have my Ghost backups, to play everything back from before in nearly two minute. Powerquest Drive Image makes the same job, but not as quick.In order to boot from a usb device, you need the motherboard support for it. If you don't have that support you can just install the HD internaly, and swich the boot order between hd0 and hd1.
No matter what anyone tells you DO NOT try to update your BIOS, you can kill your motherboard that way.
Coll thanks guays, another question. can I install an OS (lets say XP or 2000) on a 2 gig flash drive? It would be sort of cool to have an OS that you carry with you just in case and can boot your computer with.
Any Ideas?
Many thanks.
You can install anything anywhere. The only problem is that your motherboard should support USB boot.
And you can't just install windows xp on a thumbdrive and expect to use it on any random computer whenever you want. Windows requires reactivation when hardware changes (drifting off-topic 
) I doesn't work: I've tried it out! you can't even install Windows on an external USB-Drive, because there's an error.
You CAN install an OS on a Flash Drive but then you have to use a special adapter which makes flash->IDE!
usb drive windows - HUGE PROBLEMS!
the host pc has to hav mobo with usb booting capabilities, then assuming u hav 2 change bios, the password to that
when u install the os it opnly loads driver to the machine u installed it with, chaging pc will wreck the registry and all drivers and setting
2 gigs is a bit small fro an os -
even 2000, wivout patches is abt 800mbs, add on say mayabe a email client, word processor, broswerr, media player, make than 1.3gigs, update with latest patches, 1.9 gigs+
Short Question:
Are there Flash cards with more than 2 Gigs??
yeah ive seen something like this done before. my friend installed linux on one of his harddrives then on his other one he has windows xp. but the problem with that is when we want to game he has certain games one or the other OS's and he has to reboot into one or the other xD
| x-stream wrote: |
Short Question:
Are there Flash cards with more than 2 Gigs?? |
Yes there are infact this site has 16 gig ones :> but flash cards from what i hear are alot slower than a cd rom drive so..... Actually, flash drives are MUCH faster than cd rom drives. High speed flash drives when plugged into a USB 2.0 port can transfer up to 480Mb/sec, while a 52x cd rom drive usually transfers around 63 Mb/sec
If you want an OS to carry around everywhere, get a Linux live cd.
If you also want to store data, carry around a usb drive with your data too.
You can't install windows on a USB flash drive even if your motherboard supports USB boot.
However you can use a linux live CD.
Abhinav Shah I have recently purchased a HP Laptop having a Windows XP home , i cann't install IIS on that.So i have purchased a USB drive to install Windows XP pro on that.Whats advicable , 2 OS on laptop or Amend the Registry files on XP Home or install OS on Flash drive.
