USB HDD Swapable?

[nksmfamjp]

Hello. I would like to use a USB hard drive to be able to borrow a laptop, but have it function as my own. My idea is to get a USB HDD and install windows XP to it. Then I can plug it into this laptop, change the boot sequence and whala, my USB HDD is driving the hardware. Is this possible? The idea is it allows me to return the borrowed PC without affecting the other user's settings, etc.

Will this HDD be able to transfer between PC's and boot XP? If not, would partitioning it and installing and reinstalling XP fix that? Would a repair install of XP allow it to move from PC to PC?

[heymrdj]

I don't know there you would get a USB drive big enough (thats cost effective). It would need to be like at least 1.5GB and plus it would be slow. Then again I don't know if its possible to tell a BIOS to boot from USB in the first place.

[nksmfamjp]

USB HDD's are readily available in the 40 or 80 gb size I'm wanting.

In the PC I was looking at, boot from USB was in the BIOS.

[pam123]

It's possible provided the laptop's bios will support booting from a usb drive.
What's the make and model ?
Also note that you will have activation problems if you're not using the same laptop every time.
In other words don't use a Dell one day and a Gateway the next.
As for Microsoft has to say about it, go here : http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/usb-boot.mspx

[nksmfamjp]

What if I'm using the same laptop make and model, but not the exact same PC?

[bailey]

the only place where I could see a possible problem would be that you would in effect have a xp O/S that would be installed on many computers, does that sound like there might be some kind of problem somewhere ?

[heymrdj]

USB HDD's are readily available in the 40 or 80 gb size I'm wanting.

In the PC I was looking at, boot from USB was in the BIOS.

I'm sorry. nvm what i posted. When i saw USB I instantly got thumbdrive stuck in my mind (where 2GB is expensive :P). It didn't cross my mind you were thinking external USB drive. Sorry about that. :D

As for switching, I believe Windows would tell you almost everytime you restart you need to reactivate (and after so long that would be disabled). Does Microsoft make like a portable Version :P. Microsoft Windows XP: Portable Now you can take your bugs everywhere! ;)

[pam123]

What if I'm using the same laptop make and model, but not the exact same PC?

:confused: :confused:

[nksmfamjp]

Same exact hardware, but just different laptops. I.E. all the same make and model. It is part of a loaner program.

[glc]

Why don't you just get a exact replacement Dell hard drive for that model laptop - and slide it in and out of the bay?

[nksmfamjp]

1) Cost, although I don't know the price of the Dell drive. . .
2) I want the CDRom drive available.
3) I don't control if/when the loaner laptops might be replaced by a newer model.

[pam123]

1) Cost, although I don't know the price of the Dell drive. . .
2) I want the CDRom drive available.
3) I don't control if/when the loaner laptops might be replaced by a newer model.


In your place I'd use LINUX and skip the hassles.

[nksmfamjp]

In your place I'd use LINUX and skip the hassles.
Can Linux run with multiple hardware setups?

[pam123]

Can Linux run with multiple hardware setups?


Yes.
But if you think this is a problem for LINUX what do you think is going to happen with XP?