Running a OS off a USB harddrive and using programs from another.?

Question

OK, I have a computer at work that sucks and without the Admin. permissions I can't fix it.
My question is, if I hook up a USB hardrive with a OS on it, can I pull the shortcuts of the work PC hard drive and use it. I need programs that are installed on my work PC to log into my phone etc.

THANKS

Answer 1

Yes, it's possible, but it won't be easy. First you must change the boot sequence to boot from a "usb device". Go into the BIOS and click on "Boot from another device. Set that device to be a usb connected drive.

Next, the drivers and registry configuration is going to be wrong, and the system will probably not boot. Even if you do get all of the driver issues corrected, when you attempt to boot from the external drive XP is going to see all of that new hardware, and wnat to be re-registered for that system. The problems just go on and on. And for some of the changes that you would need to make you will probably need Admin. Privileges, which you don't have.

If this were me I would ask the Admin. tech. for some help is getting your work computer tuned up so that you can accomplish you work better and faster.

Answer 2

You cannot run an OS off an external USB drive. There is nothing in the BIOS that allows for that.