Comments on: I tried installing Windows on my external hard driver connecting through a USB cable but it doesn’t work

By: Emmanuel

Emmanuel — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 05:39:31 +0000

How do I uninstall an anti-virus that I can’t find?

I have a dv6 hp laptop, windows7. It came with a 60 day trial version Norton. After about 5 weeks, the Norton stopped working. I tried to uninstall it, but it didn’go. So I deleted the Norton files. Now, it is no longer in the installed programmes list. Yet, if I try to install a new anti-virus, the system informs me that I still have Norton, and I should uninstall it first. I can’ find any trace of the Norton on the system.

By: Laptop Freak

Laptop Freak — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:03:04 +0000

jamie,

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…

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.

By: jamie

jamie — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:52:45 +0000

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.

By: j_dipak

j_dipak — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:30:51 +0000

Hi dears why you want Install Window xp on external drive try Puppy Linux.

By: Pzabety

Pzabety — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:30:47 +0000

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?

By: Cap'n Crunch

Cap'n Crunch — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 04:14:41 +0000

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.

By: Ruscal R

Ruscal R — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 23:50:21 +0000

“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

By: Billz Gatez

Billz Gatez — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 20:29:52 +0000

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….