I tried installing Windows on my external hard driver connecting through a USB cable but it doesn’t work
I have a HP Notebook nc6230 with Windows XP professional. I want to work on Windows Server 2003, so I tried installing the Windows Server 2003 on my external hard driver connecting through a USB cable. After I finish the initial installation (Formatting the drive and selecting the default the drive) when the computer restarts in the first time, I get an BSOD {0X000000713(0XF789A640,0XC00000341,0X000000000,0X000000000)}.
I successfully installed the Windows Server 2003 on the External Hard drive by connecting it as an internal drive to a desktop. But when I try to boot my laptop connecting this hard drive, I get another BSOD (I couldn’t copy this as it was displayed for a very short time).
After reading some messages from groups, I created a bootable CD for Server 2003, but it did not help me. This time when the laptop started booting, it booted in the DOS prompt giving an error message that USB drivers not found.
I read in some papers that it’s not possible to boot using USB external hard drive. So could you please answer my below questions:
1) Is it possible to boot the laptop using an External hard driver (USB Connection type). If yes, please provide me the steps or links which would be helpful.
2) If I frequently change the hard drive (with different OS on them) on my laptop, will that cause any problem to my laptop hard ware?
External Hard drive is an IDE Seagate hard drive 80 GB, which I’m using as an external drive with an enclosure.
That’s a good question. I’ve never tried installing Windows on an external USB hard drive but I think it’s not possible. I believe Windows OS has some limitations and it will not run from an external USB hard drive. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
In your case I would install Windows Server 2003 on the same internal hard drive with Windows XP Professional by creating a multiple boot system. Check out Acronis OS Selector utility. This software allows you to install up to 100 operating system on one computer and Windows 2003 Server is supported too.
I wouldn’t recommend frequently change the hard drive on your laptop. The hard drive plugs directly into the motherboard and overtime the connector on the motherboard might get loose or even broken. If it happens, you’ll have to replace the motherboard.
February 24th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Simple, take hard drive out of external caddie, plug HD in internally, install XP, take out, put back in external caddie. Set bios to boot from usb drive.
That’s it….
February 27th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
“Billz” isn’t quite right. You can’t simply install to an internal drive and then move it to a USB enclosure. There are some problems with that, and its why MS says that its not possible to install to an external HDD.
That being said, there is a way. You have to be comfortable making your own install CD for this to work. What you end up doing is modifying the registry enteries (and a few driver information files, but not the actual drivers) before you ever install. This will allow your Windows install to see the USB drive as a boot device and will prevent the system from kicking itself in the pants.
If you don’t follow the procedure laid out here (http://www.ngine.de/index.jsp?pageid=4176) then you might be able to install, but when it trys to boot onto the USB drive the system will simply reset.
Once again, go to http://www.ngine.de/index.jsp?pageid=4176 to get the procedure/instructions.
Also, take note that this will not work for all external drives and computer combinations, so you just have to try to see if it works out (It did for me)
Good Luck,
Ruscal R
October 30th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
All windows based OS have a huge problem with not being able to “see” the drive that the OS is on. this hapens when windows is booting and your mouse and keyboard (if usb)flash out for a split second then come back on. any external drive will do the same, and windows needs the files from that drive to boot, if the drive shuts off for a second, it cant find the files needed.
March 25th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I was told that I could install Server 2003 on an external hard drive so I purchaed one. I am running Vista on my laptop. I need to install this trial to do homework, can someone please give me step by step if possible? Please?
May 16th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Hi dears why you want Install Window xp on external drive try Puppy Linux.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:52 am
come one….simply put is can it be done and how…asking why i want to or explaining possiblities is bull. simply link to info where i can get help or dont comment…
I just want to install on external usb harddrives, so i can boot up what i want independtly each….without running the risk of affecting the other..i am constantly giving tech support so this is why…and no i dont want them even ever to know each exist…the os’s that is.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:03 am
jamie,
Have you tried Knoppix live Linux CD? You can boot almost any laptop or desktop from the Knoppix CD for troubleshooting, data recovery or other purposes.
June 26th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
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