kuya david Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 (edited) 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, 2006 by kuya david Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
immolation Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 I never heard of it before but if you ever manage to do it. post it m8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakatomi2010 Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 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.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaclaz Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 (edited) 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.htmland links therein.You might also find my FAQ's interesting:http://home.graffiti.net/jaclaz:graffiti.n...SB/USBfaqs.htmland the (everyday more outdated) howto here:http://home.graffiti.net/jaclaz:graffiti.n...B/USBstick.htmljaclaz Edited November 1, 2006 by jaclaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmshah Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uid0 Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 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: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuya david Posted November 2, 2006 Author Share Posted November 2, 2006 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaclaz Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 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=81788jaclaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajeshjamnadas Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 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 this1) Backup ur boot.ini file2) 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 CD5) Just copy $WIN_NT$.~BT and $WIN_NT$.~LS6) 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 installation8) You can add or use any bootloader to change any setting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now