Can i install an os to an external usb hard drive? and the os is a windows xp. is it possible?

i think not. but you can install it first in your hdd while on your desktop then remove it put it on an external hdd casing.

I installed Linux Suse on an old external harddrive I had. I had to mount a harddrive using a program like PowerISO and then burn the OS to a CD or DVD as .iso files. This was about 2 to 3 years old so, I kind of forget how to do it. But, I found a forum that might be helpful to you ( http://computershopper.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2255 ). Keep in mind you find out a great deal just by a simple Yahoo search or Google search. Thanks.

yes, you can. i used to install XP and Window 2003, and linux susi in the external harddrive

How about this answer...
You can under certain circumstance and if you don't know what they are do not try it, lol. (wink)

Why are you wanting to do this? It really is not an ideal option. If for instance you want to use two operating systems, partitioning your internal harddrive is a better option and then using your external drive to save files and such.

Thank you all for your polite answers. I'll google it and hope to find the steps to do it. Thanks again

Your BIOS must support boot from external drive. Also ... don't continually plug and unplug to different USB ports, it might screw up detection of the drive from BIOS, and in rare cases, the MFT on the drive get's screwed up.

no you can't because the external drive doesn't have program files that support your O.S.

Yes you can, but its hard to do so, You better not to try if you didn't need it

Of course you can, you just need to change around a few bios settings to get it to actually boot into that operating system though.

One more thing to consider. If you put the operating system on an external hard drive, you'll have to rename your drives. Just about everything you work with (programs, applications, utilities, etc.) expects the operating system to be on Drive (C and not (E, (F, (G, or something else.

Originally Posted by cyberseren

One more thing to consider. If you put the operating system on an external hard drive, you'll have to rename your drives. Just about everything you work with (programs, applications, utilities, etc.) expects the operating system to be on Drive (C and not (E, (F, (G, or something else.

No. If you define the bios to boot on the usb disk first, then the 1st partition on the usb disk will be seen as c.
The bios control it all, once it's configured, you don't have to worry more.

As long as the bios recognize it as a drive you can install your OS on it. Then as others have said, you have to change your boot order to boot from the external.

i know you can install OS on an external drive, I've red some articles of it but I can remember the title of the article, but I really think it is possible, considering the vast upgrades of technology today.

I've done this with Windows 3.1 on a ZIP Drive.

I just want to bump this thread for anyone who is still looking to do this. YES YOU CAN install an OS on a external HDD... My internal burnt out on my laptop so with thing sbeing tight i had a spare HDD laying around and gave it my best shot. Windows XP Pro with SP3 installed just fine.

In your bios your mobo has to support boot from USB... if not don't bother trying...

other then that no compressing files no changing drive letters it will usually automatically reassign or at least mine did...

One thing i have to say is don't be the moron to unplug your external with you pc running and don't switch USB ports it will cause some issues. thats really it enjoy and have fun!