I need to install Vista onto an external hard drive.

[rascal_586]

I recently had a laptop not recognize its own operating system. I figured if
I were able to load Windows Vista on to an external hard drive and boot the
computer from that external hard drive I should be able to recover some files
and major downloads before I reformat the computer. However, Vista
instillation will not install through USB2.0.

Is there any way to install Vista onto an external hard drive?
How and what do I do to get it done?

 

[CBoom]

You cannot install windows on an external drive

Download the ubuntu linux and burn it onto a cd, you can then boot the
computer with ubuntu and rescue your files by saving them to your external
drive www.ubuntu.com

this is why live linux cds are also known as rescue disks

 

[Gordon]

I recently had a laptop not recognize its own operating system. I figured if
I were able to load Windows Vista on to an external hard drive and boot the
computer from that external hard drive I should be able to recover some files
and major downloads before I reformat the computer. However, Vista
instillation will not install through USB2.0.

Is there any way to install Vista onto an external hard drive?
How and what do I do to get it done?

A slightly more technical way is to try the Vista Repair Disk:
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

 

[Gordon]

check in your BIOS to see if you can make the USB bootable

Doesn't matter - Windows will not install or run from an external drive
unless you have a LOT of arcane knowledge... AFAIK...

 

[rascal_586]

Yes BIOS can run a USB device, but like Gordon said it won't install windows
on a USB device. And, I did try running the repair disk it ran for over 24
hours with no results. I am now trying to use Ubuntu. Hopefully this works.

Thanks for everyone's advice,

Grant

 

[rascal_586]

Alright, I have downloaded Ubuntu and am currently trying to install it on to
my laptop. However, it keeps running an error message after I hit the either
of the options "Install Ubuntu" or "Try Running Ubuntu Without any Change to
your Computer". Any further tips now?

 

[Dave]

Don't install it.
Burn the iso to a CD/DVD, then boot from the CD/DVD.

 

[ray]

Alright, I have downloaded Ubuntu and am currently trying to install it
on to my laptop. However, it keeps running an error message after I hit
the either of the options "Install Ubuntu" or "Try Running Ubuntu
Without any Change to your Computer". Any further tips now?

1) what is the error message?
2) how did you burn it to CD? Did you burn it as a file or as an ISO disk
image (the latter is what you need). You can tell by mounting the CD on
any functional system. If you burned as a file, the CD will show one file
- that won't work. If you burned properly, as a disk image, you will see
several files and folders on the CD.

 

[rascal_586]

OK, I did install it correctly. I followed and used the program on the
Ubuntu site and the disk shows multiple files when explored. When I boot
from the cd, it brings up an menu screen with the options: Try Ubuntu without
any change to your computer; Install Ubuntu; Check CD for defects; Test
memory; Boot from first hard disk. Whenever i click on the first second or
third option it eventually brings me a scrolling error message which reads:
(media error) <F> ; satatus: {DRDY ERR}; error: {UNC}; exceptions Emask 0x0
SAct 0x1 SErr 0x0 action 0x0; Buffer I/o error, dev sda sector 0 and a
couple other lines. Any more insight would be great.

 

[Gordon]

OK, I did install it correctly. I followed and used the program on the
Ubuntu site and the disk shows multiple files when explored. When I boot
from the cd, it brings up an menu screen with the options: Try Ubuntu without
any change to your computer; Install Ubuntu; Check CD for defects; Test
memory; Boot from first hard disk. Whenever i click on the first second or
third option it eventually brings me a scrolling error message which reads:
(media error) <F> ; satatus: {DRDY ERR}; error: {UNC}; exceptions Emask 0x0
SAct 0x1 SErr 0x0 action 0x0; Buffer I/o error, dev sda sector 0 and a
couple other lines. Any more insight would be great.

I think you might have to post that error message on an Ubuntu forum.
Probably this one:
http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=333