I have a Dell Xp.. If i buy a externel hard drive do i need an interal one too..can i run my computer off the external?
2007-08-14 09:16:23 · 7 answers · asked by mark c 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
If your BIOS will let you boot from a USB device then it should work.
But why? For a desktop a bigger internal drive is going to be cheaper than an external. For a laptop internal drives could be more expensive than an external, but having to lug around an external drive and power supply is going to be a huge pain.
If your internal drive has failed, replace it. If it is just running out of space then add an internal/external second drive to add new stuff to.
2007-08-14 09:29:40 · answer #1 · answered by Simon T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe you can get an external SATA drive that will function just like a normal internal hard drive that you can install Windows too. SATA enclosures are a bit more expensive and you have to have an external SATA port (either a card or onboard) to use them but they work just the same as an internal. For more standard USB or Firewire external drives, no you cannot install Windows to and have them function like a normal internal boot drive. Also they would run too slow compared to internal.
If you plan to use Linux, then yes you can use any external drive and run off it.
2007-08-14 16:20:59 · answer #2 · answered by anonfuture 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On most pc today can boot from various device including USB devices.
However, when the pc boots from any device, it concludes drive A. Meaning you cannot load Windows off from an external drive as it need to be drive C. Sorry, you'll need the internal drive.
2007-08-14 16:25:05 · answer #3 · answered by Affie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be tough to run your computer from an external HD. I'd stick with letting it run off your internal HD and using the external as a storage device.
2007-08-14 16:20:06 · answer #4 · answered by BZR 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can run windows xp of your external but you wont be able to take your external any where because of microsoft anti piracy whats built into windows xp you might as well just gat a internal then your all so have a spare usb port as well
hope that helped but if your intending to use linux on your external you can take it with you and run linux on any pc
2007-08-14 16:21:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont think you can boot it off the external but it would be nice to back up stuff on. Not essential but nice.
2007-08-14 16:20:01 · answer #6 · answered by Tom H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try going to http://www.goldenram.com/lindberg and running UpgradeDetect, it's free. You will see that buying a second HD is not expensive. Prices are about 40% less than anywhere else.
2007-08-14 16:20:55 · answer #7 · answered by rilindy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋