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Thread ID: 98147 2009-03-13 08:49:00 How to install an OS onto USB HDD? Runitetish (14703) Press F1
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756025 2009-03-13 08:49:00 hi, i was wondering if anyone knew how to install an OS onto my portable usb hdd, because when i tried to, it said that it does not allow me to install it onto 1394 or usb devices.

thanx
Runitetish (14703)
756026 2009-03-13 09:04:00 Welcome to PF1:)

What OS.

If XP, I have followed this tutorial before and it works great:

www.ngine.de

For vista, I am not sure, you would prob have to play around with it, maybe slaving it and installing to it then booting from it in a USB hard drive case??

Blam
Blam (54)
756027 2009-03-13 09:41:00 Either the windows 7 disk fom latest issue or vista Runitetish (14703)
756028 2009-03-13 19:24:00 In that case-you're alone. Nobody else has tried that on the web *yet*

It would be almost impossible to edit the files required for installing onto a USB drive, as Vista uses WIM to pack its files-basically the disk is one big vista image.

You could try connecting it directly to a PC, and installing, but I would say you would run into many difficulties once you switch it to external USB.

For now, I suggest you stick with XP and follow the guide above, or play aound with linux, using the UnetBootin Utillity.

Why exactly do you want Vista/W7 on a USB HDD anyways?
Blam (54)
756029 2009-03-13 19:31:00 I know that this is not exactly what you're asking for, but this is a really good site;
http://www.pendrivelinux.com

I've installed Back Track on a usb drive and it works well, lot of fun:thumbs:
jcr1 (893)
756030 2009-03-14 05:04:00 I know that this is not exactly what you're asking for, but this is a really good site;
http://www.pendrivelinux.com

I've installed Back Track on a usb drive and it works well, lot of fun:thumbs:

Just a note-BackTrack comes in USB version, so you don't need to follow the tutorial on Pendrivelinux.

And I also find UnetBootin best for installing linux distro's on pen drives
Blam (54)
756031 2009-03-14 05:22:00 If you get another enclosure for the HDD, get eSTA and a eSATA bracket cost like $5 I think. That should install on it cos it just use the normal SATA on the motherboard. Nomad (952)
756032 2009-03-14 05:28:00 Installing would be fine on an eSATA drive Nomad, but due to Windows Vista's limitations, there will be problems after installation.

JCR, have a look at this:
www.microsoft.com

Blam
Blam (54)
756033 2009-03-15 22:31:00 Either the windows 7 disk fom latest issue or vista

unfortunately Windows 7 and Windows Vista don't support booting from external USB media

Cheers
Nathan
nmercer (3899)
756034 2009-03-15 22:33:00 unfortunately Windows 7 and Windows Vista don't support booting from external USB media

Cheers
Nathan

Thats exactly what MS said with XP.

Its possible, its just no ones tried yet. Or no ones posted it online
Blam (54)
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