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How-To Geek Forums / Windows XP

(Solved) - Booting from an external hard drive

(4 posts)
  • Started 5 months ago by cinque8
  • Latest reply from cinque8
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cinque8
Posts: 104

Hi,

I have Windows XP loaded on an external hard drive that is connected to my laptop via a USB port. Is it possible to boot my computer from this drive? If so, how would I go about doing it?

Thanks,

-cinque8

Posted 5 months ago #
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GuiltySpark
GuiltySpark
Posts: 4024

Hi cinque8 ,

Start off by going into the BIOS Boot sequence and setting USB HDD as your priority boot (1st).

If there is no option available then it may not be possible to boot from an external drive.

Posted 5 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

That depends on your BIOS. Some can do it, some cannot. If it is a USB2 port, it will be awfully slow. Runs fine though with a USB3 port.

Best would be eSata. You could get a PCI-e card (if you have a PCI-e slot) and an eSata enclosure. Examples:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6839328027
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6817801111
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6817145072

But if you have some retarded BIOS (e.g. Sony), nothing will work.

Posted 5 months ago #
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cinque8
Posts: 104

Thanks For The Info!

Posted 5 months ago #
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