OS on external media?

[dencandy]

Here's a question I've been asked twice in the last few days & I don't know
the answer: Can Windows be installed on & run from an external removeable
medium such as an external hard disk or flash/pen drive?
If no, why not?
If yes, what problems can be expected?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Here's a question I've been asked twice in the last few days & I
don't know the answer: Can Windows be installed on & run from an
external removeable medium such as an external hard disk or
flash/pen drive?
If no, why not?
If yes, what problems can be expected?

The answers will vary because experiences vary.
Assuming you mean "Windows XP" - then the official answer is no.
The reality might differ depending on what you want to do.
BartPE is a fine example of reality differing in some way. ;-)

Search using Google!
http://www.google.com/
(How-to: http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/basics.html )

Since the opinions here might go both ways - I suggest you use Google to
look for what you need. There are full-on examples on doing what you seem
to be inferring you wish to do. YMMV.

 

[Missing Link]

There have been a number of articles about an O/S on removeble media but the
main handicap of flash is the limited number of writes it will support which
means the swap file will use that up very quickly. A hard disk is a hard disk
irrespective of connectivity but I am not convinced about the performance of
the USB interface being adequate. The BartPE is intended to run from a CD and
there is no reason to limit it to that medium.

Obviously there is a question over licensing in that the OEM license is tied
to the original machine.

 

[dencandy]

OK, thanks for the responses. It reads like you're both saying: it could be
done, if you know how, but there are complications technical & contractual.
As I said originally, I don't want to it myself, but I've been asked on
another forum.

 

[Timothy Daniels]

Using the Dell Optiplex 755, which lists an eSATA controller and
bootability from "USB devices", I called Dell Technical Support,
and Dwayne in Florida consulted with Senior Technical Support.
And the aswer on whether one can boot from eSATA and external
USB hard drives was "Yes to both questions". I'm still not convinced
one way or the other regarding USB hard drives (USB flash drives
are certainly a "Yes"), but at least that's the word from Dell.

*TimDaniels*

 

[David B.]

Of course you can boot from USB devices, but the OS your booting from has to
support this as well, Windows out of the box does not.

 

[Timothy Daniels]

Score one for Linux.

*TimDaniels*

Of course you can boot from USB devices, but the OS
your booting from has to support this as well, Windows
out of the box does not.

 

[David B.]

And OSX

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Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Score one for Linux.

*TimDaniels*