1 Laptop bootup indepentently w 2 Harddisks w diff OS?

[BluEGaZeR]

I have a laptop which was configured with Window Vista.

Due to work requirement, I need another HD with XP instead.

Thus I now have 2 hardisks(1 with Vista & e other with XP)

I installed 1 of the HD into the laptop and link the other HD via an USB external casing.

My intention is to select any of the HDs during the bootup to select the different OS that I want to use but I can't bootup from the one connected via the USB.

Upon I selected the USB HD, it will show me the 'Blue screen of Death' & reset the computer and the error just repeat itself.

 

Is there anyway I can bootup from the external HD which was already install with a OS?

Please advise.

[Vonmuck]

Did you install the USB 's WinXP properly?

 

I have booted up WinXP using a thumbdrive many times simply by changing the Boot Device sequence.

No problems at all.

 

For your problem, try to disable the laptop's IDE/SATA HDD first before booting up with the USB drive.

[redbeacon]

First things first:

 

Ensure that your computer is those newer generation types with a BIOS that does allow booting off from a USB drive

 

Upon I selected the USB HD, it will show me the 'Blue screen of Death' & reset the computer and the error just repeat itself.

 

Was the external hard disk installed into another computer when you installed Windows XP into it? If you transplant hard drives this way (as in take out and then use it as a hard drive on another computer), these things do happen. Putting it into simple words, possible reason could be that the hard drive is configured as such that it only works properly on the other PC to which one did the install on.

 

Hope you can provide us with a little more information. Regards,

[BluEGaZeR]

thanks for the replies..

 

The HD with Vista came with the laptop.

The 2nd HD I brought it and install XP by taking out the Vista HD out from the laptop.

Now I want to install either of it into the laptop and connect the other via USB.

After which, I want to select any of the HD to bootup as and when I want to use diff OS.

Hope this clear the air.

[PaLmEr]

chances are it will not work properly if booted off a ThumbDrive or portable HDD.

 

The possibility of crashing the OS if you accidently remove the plug is simply too high.

 

Then again, i have done dual boot systems on laptops before.

[Vonmuck]

Well, if you don't have to have separate physical hard disks for the different OSs. You can use Dual booting.

 

Remember to create separate partition first before installing the 2nd OS.

It is easier to install WinXP first then Vista, rather than the other way.

Something to do with Vista's bootloader.

[IvikaRazI]

Found this while searching the web

 

Windows cannot boot from an USB drive. If your computer supports

booting from such device, you can load a boot loader to the USB device

which starts Windows XP from the HDD.

 

So you will need to put up a boot loader to make it work. See this link for how to install and boot from USB

http://www.ngine.de/article/id/8

 

Hope it works for you.

[Vonmuck]

Although Microsoft said it can't be done, but many have done it already.

 

check out the site below for detailed instructions.

http://www.winusb.de/index_en.html

[BluEGaZeR]

Thanks for the replies..

Seen like I can drop the idea..

The modification is making me confuse and lengthy...

Will try to look out for any program which can help to do it instead..

Hope someone comes out with one...

[redbeacon]

Here's a viable alternative: Use Microsoft Virtual PC or VMWare.

 

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/882/xpinvista500resizedba4.png

 

Word of caution: Only do this if either....

 

[1] Your notebook is standalone, and is not connected to your company network in any way. This is important especially toward the fact on whether your company's IT policy allows joining "another machine" to the network.

 

[2] It's your personal notebook and it is allowed into your company

 

Especially with large corporations that handle sensitive data day-in-day-out, IT policies are about 3 "A"s: aim, authorisation, and approval.

It never hurts to ask though, if this is a need with a very good reason.

 

Pardon me for being wordy there, just wanna add some disclaimers

[Refugee]

isnt Vmware network bridged to the host computeR?

why would it be seens as 'another machine' ?

[redbeacon]

isnt Vmware network bridged to the host computeR?

why would it be seens as 'another machine' ?

You're right on that aspect. Physically, no one knows.

 

But (for example) when his XP has to be joined to the domain -- for a few technical reasons and if that's one way to 'mimic' his company requirement to have an "XP computer" -- that's where the IT and/or network policies may come into play.

 

If he's interested in that, maybe we should ask him

[Refugee]

heh heh... no need ask him lah. i was just clarifying on my portion.

 

in no way 'challenging you'..

[redbeacon]

heh heh... no need ask him lah. i was just clarifying on my portion.

 

in no way 'challenging you'..

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