Question on backing up and installing windows XP on external HD

[Guest]

I recently purchased an external hard drive as a backup for my master HD and
my music collection. I would like to not only backup but also install my
original windows XP on my backup HD so I could boot from it in case of any
problems booting from my master. I do not have a cd that has XP as this
computer came with everything preinstalled. How would I go about doing this?
Do I simply backup everything from my master to my external or do I have to
run an XP installation program? thanks!

 

[Jabez Gan [MVP]]

Hi,

Windows can't be installed on an external hard disk. The problem lies in the
security and the pagefile. Windows will be under performance when it can't
write to the pagefile as fast when compared to an IDE hdd.

Again, Windows can't be installed on an external hard disk. What I suggest
is that you backup the files under My Documents to the external hard disk

 

[Ron Martell]

I recently purchased an external hard drive as a backup for my master HD and
my music collection. I would like to not only backup but also install my
original windows XP on my backup HD so I could boot from it in case of any
problems booting from my master. I do not have a cd that has XP as this
computer came with everything preinstalled. How would I go about doing this?
Do I simply backup everything from my master to my external or do I have to
run an XP installation program? thanks!

By design, Windows XP will not install on a removable disk. There are
some kludges around that reputedly overcome this, but the limitations
and risks involved is probably excessive.

Look into imaging software that will create a backup of your existing
installed XP to the removable drive, such as Acronis True Image
(http://www.acronis.com)

Good luck
Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."