Using Xp in different computers?

  • Thread starter Thread starter HotRod
  • Start date Start date
H

HotRod

This is a wierd question but I was wondering if it is possible to isntall XP
on a removable hard drive and then take it to my office and use it on the
harware there? Even if had to buy two licenses that would be fine, I just
want to be able to take all of my data and applications with me and then
just pop it into a new PC and keep working. IDEAS?
 
Hi

XP can't be installed onto an external hard drive.

--


Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups
 
HotRod said:
What if it's the primar drive or only drive in the PC? A removable hard
drive?
Click to expand...

It would only work if the two PCs in question have identical hardware
configurations.

Alias
 
Hi

XP doesn't recognise external drives as bootable ones.

--


Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups
 
there *is* a hack making xp boot even from usb flash drive
when booting from usb flash you need also *another* hack to prevent xp from
frequent write op since frequent writes dramaticaly shorten flash mem life
 
Hi

XP can't be installed onto an external hard drive.
Click to expand...
The OP didn't say anything about it being an external hard drive. There are
such things as removable hard drive racks that plug into IDE. I use them
all the time on desktop computers.

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Technically would work if the two PC's were virtually identical AND the
the drive plugged in using an IDE caddy. (legality is another issue)
 
You can do that. XP will then, see different hardware and will go
through a process of new hardware detection, installing new drivers
etc. Most core hardware (MOBO stuff) will be detected and configured,
some expansion cards (NIC, Video) may or may not get fully
re-configured depending on whether or not there exists an INF and all
the drivers in XP. (Windows has been doing this since 98, and it does a
good job of it; only non-common or no-name brand hardware will not be
detected properly.)

But then, Windows may then inform you that re-Activation is required.
If this happens you will not be able to use Windows until it gets
re-Activated. If you had previously Activated only once or twice,
Activation just might work automatically. Otherwise you will have to
call their 800 number and and provide them with an acceptable reason
why you are calling.
 
You forgot, a Repair Installation is also required making what the OP wants
to do probably impractical.

I have never had to justify reinstallation by giving an "acceptable reason"
unless you mean simply stating something like reinstalling or moving to
another computer.
 
Jupiter said:
You forgot, a Repair Installation is also required making what the OP wants
to do probably impractical.
Click to expand...

Ah... why? XP can re-configure itself well enough when a HDD is moved
to a new computer (I suppose, not always; I suppose sometimes it may
not work). It might not work until re-activated, but it shouldn't
necessarily require a Repair install.
I have never had to justify reinstallation by giving an "acceptable reason"
unless you mean simply stating something like reinstalling or moving to
another computer.
Click to expand...

They ask for a reason why you are activating. You assume there are no
unacceptable reasons? I mean, could they ever decline to activate over
the phone? Perhaps not. But I would not tell them, "I am installing
this copy on a second computer."
 
I can see this would be an argument on semantics. I do not want to install
this on a new PC, nor would it ever be possible to run two copies. Obviously
only the copy that I have on the removable hard drive would work. However
I'm not about to buy another PC that is identical to my office machine, it's
a 64 x 2 with 4 GIG or RAM and 200 GIG harddrive and dual monitors. At home
I typically work on office products and need the data that is on my office
machine, it's almost impossible to keep all of the data at hand all of the
time.

I wonder if there is a way to set each PC up as a different profile? or
would I still have activation problems...
 
I can see this would be an argument on semantics. I do not want to
install this on a new PC, nor would it ever be possible to run two
copies. Obviously only the copy that I have on the removable hard drive
would work. However I'm not about to buy another PC that is identical to
my office machine, it's a 64 x 2 with 4 GIG or RAM and 200 GIG harddrive
and dual monitors. At home I typically work on office products and need
the data that is on my office machine, it's almost impossible to keep
all of the data at hand all of the time.

I wonder if there is a way to set each PC up as a different profile? or
would I still have activation problems...
Click to expand...

This kind of hard-drive swapping has been trivial in Linux for years, but
apparently Microsoft still hasn't figured out how to do it. Your best bet
is to network in to your office machine and run it remotely from home.

This does, of course, open up potential security vulnerabilities so
select strong passwords and be sure you use good-quality remote-access
software.
 
why don't you try to have just a removable drive with data?

set up all your apps [both office & home] to work with data at [external
removable] usb hd drive.
or you may simply mount/dismount [with mountvol command] your usb drive into
main hd folder structure?
the only problem is to keep accidentaly unplugging drive while write
operation is ongoing
 
HotRod said:
I can see this would be an argument on semantics. I do not want to install
this on a new PC, nor would it ever be possible to run two copies. Obviously
only the copy that I have on the removable hard drive would work. However
I'm not about to buy another PC that is identical to my office machine, it's
a 64 x 2 with 4 GIG or RAM and 200 GIG harddrive and dual monitors. At home
I typically work on office products and need the data that is on my office
machine, it's almost impossible to keep all of the data at hand all of the
time.

I wonder if there is a way to set each PC up as a different profile? or
would I still have activation problems...
Click to expand...

If the intent is to game the installation of Windows XP on
to two computers, then that would sound different from what
seems to be the original intent of this thread. Even then,
on a more realistic level, the office should be providing you
with a computer with its own operating system and all of the
applications that you need to use at home, and an external
USB/Firewire hard drive to transport your files between the
two locales.
 
I am unsure of the %, but a Repair Installation is needed quite often when
moving to a new computer or even changing the motherboard.
Largely it depends how different the hardware is from original.

If it is retail and you have removed it from the original computer, tell
them so when you state you are installing on another computer.
However I would not state "I am installing on a second computer"
That implies installation on more than one computer and begs more questions.
Saying one thing when meaning something else has cause many to have to
further explain what was done to clarify the issue.
 
It is an interesting issue. I remember a Borland license that
essentially allowed for multiple installations of their software as
long as only one instance would be run at one time. I.e. you could
install on you laptop and your desktop, as long as you are the only
user.

It is, of course, quite legal for you to uninstall Windows on your home
PC, re-install on your work PC, and then back again, every day. Not
that anyone would ever do that, but perfectly legal.

We get into philosophical arguments whether or not your home PC being
turned off, when your work PC is turned on, and vice versa, would be
allowable legally.

(One might be able to install a 2nd copy of XP in that case and still
have a clear conscience -- as long as you never have the two computers
on at the same time. Although I doubt any MVP would agree.)

I would suggest, though, perhaps you can turn on Remote Access to one
of the computers. I.e. you access your home PC from work. You could
even setup a VPN. You wouldn't even need both PC's to be Windows then.

Then also, as someone suggested, a swappable "data" drive might be
doable.
 
HotRod said:
This is a wierd question but I was wondering if it is possible to isntall XP
on a removable hard drive and then take it to my office and use it on the
harware there? Even if had to buy two licenses that would be fine, I just
Click to expand...

No. Not possible [for the most part]. Yes tweaks exist but...
 
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