Hey guys I have a question and this Forum was i think the closest one.

Okay so here it goes...

When you have a Windows CD, you can boot from CD-ROM, or you can explore it from within Windows.

When you have a dual/multi-boot CD, you can do the same...

Now when you have a HDD, the MBR (Master Boot Record) allows the HDD to load the OS, but if you were to take it out and add that HDD as a SLAVE on another computer, you could explore it, and add/remove files.

IS it possible to take an EXTERNAL HDD, and mess with the MBR or whatever you would need to, so that you could "Boot from USB HDD" (like most new BIOS' will allow), and from there either install Windows, OR direct it accordingly to "Multi-boot"? And of course still use it as an external HDD.

P.S. I wouldn't want the "Boot Images" to be static, so i could take my "Unattended XP Install", update my programs with the newest versions on the fly .

Edited October 31, 200619 yr by kuya david

I never heard of it before but if you ever manage to do it. post it m8

Well, data is data if you can figure out how to get the MBR to boot like CDImage, or whatever bootloader you're using then it's entirely possible....

Yes, it is perfectly possible.

It all depends on what Operating System(s) do you want to put on it, and if it is to be used with just a single machine (or a number of identical or similar machines) or if it is intended to be a portable one-size-fits-all solution.

There are a number of threads here and on the 911 CD forum about this, some are related to USB sticks, but since USB sticks and USB hard disks are BOTH "block devices" the differences in setup are minimal.

Personally I use Grub4dos as a bootmanager, as it is compatible with practically ALL Operating Systems but if you do not need this great flexibility, you can use "normal" NTLDR.

Start reading from these:

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...c=18045&hl=

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...c=18031&hl=

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=69211&hl=

http://home.graffiti.net/jaclaz:graffiti.n...B/USBstick.html

and links therein.

You might also find my FAQ's interesting:

http://home.graffiti.net/jaclaz:graffiti.n...SB/USBfaqs.html

and the (everyday more outdated) howto here:

http://home.graffiti.net/jaclaz:graffiti.n...B/USBstick.html

jaclaz

Edited November 1, 200619 yr by jaclaz

I have my doubts.

Whatever hard disk partition you boot from will be assigned c: drive letter. I doiubt whether you would be able to install xp on d: - which would be the primary partition on the internal drive. Even if you do manage it it will still write the ntldr, ntdetect & boot.ini on your USB drive.

If they boot PE (easier than full xp-on-usb) then the usb boot drive will be x:, and the first internal partition will get c:

i think some people misunderstood the question. i did my research and i know it is possible to "boot an of FROM an EXT. HDD"... but i don't want to do that... i want to "Boot from USB HDD" BUT instead of loading an OS, it would load an OS Installation. So instead of taking my "Windows XP Setup CD" with me, i would take my "Windows XP Setup HDD", which eventually would also have other OS' Installations. Make Sense?

i want to "Boot from USB HDD" BUT instead of loading an OS, it would load an OS Installation. So instead of taking my "Windows XP Setup CD" with me, i would take my "Windows XP Setup HDD", which eventually would also have other OS' Installations. Make Sense?

Different question, different answer, see this and links therein:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=81788

jaclaz

i think some people misunderstood the question. i did my research and i know it is possible to "boot an of FROM an EXT. HDD"... but i don't want to do that... i want to "Boot from USB HDD" BUT instead of loading an OS, it would load an OS Installation. So instead of taking my "Windows XP Setup CD" with me, i would take my "Windows XP Setup HDD", which eventually would also have other OS' Installations. Make Sense?

even though u connect USB HDD it is consider as Internal HDD.

So just try this

1) Backup ur boot.ini file

2) Start setup in windows and take new installation

3) Dont allow it to restart by pressing [ESC]

4) Now u can use the boot.ini file to create ur own XP setup CD

5) Just copy $WIN_NT$.~BT and $WIN_NT$.~LS

6) You can learn which file it is loading from boot.ini file

default="C:\....."

7) Dont forget to take I want to select Partion in "Advance option" in second step of installation

8) You can add or use any bootloader to change any setting