How to install and boot Windows on an external (USB) hard drive

Now your thinking outside the box, good luck

Okay, HDD 1 is finished. I downloaded the drivers and replaced the windows ones. Computer runs like a charrme and everything seems to work.

After i was finished i plugged the second HDD in and formatted this one and now i'm tryig a full copy and plug it in the second pc.

Als i've received an dell xp.iso so i can try to use this file. I'm interested if i receive the bsod as well with this version.

for now....

worth a try, i've spent years trying different images and commonly they go wrong. never have a problem with the original CD. Quite simply MS don't want you loading images on different PC's, hence one disc per Computer. Your problem is different to the EeePC and a more easy install by loading the HDD and putting it back into the original it came out of.

I finished coping the HDD using acronis full cone with the HDD from the other pc connected via usb. this procedure took for all HDD 10 minutes. Every maschine was tested and functioned.

So we stick with te original problem to install XP via USB. The DELL oem version gave the same error.

alright guys

Great 1st post explaining how to edit all the files etc

but ive got a problem done every thing as it said burnt the image to a cd then tried to install but get this error message

The following value in the .SIF file used by setup is corrupted or missing

Value 1 on the line in section [BusExtenders] with key 'usbstor'

i've had a look at the txtsetup.sif file but cant seem to find any thing under busextenders with usbstor and checked and seems ive done every thing that was said to do in the instructions

any one else have any ideas?

I changed edited the lines also, but i was never able to see this error because i got the BSOD.

Maybe you could post the txtsetup.sif so we can check/compare.

ive uploaded al the files ive edited if some one could go over and check them please

now im getting line 0 in usbboot is currupt setup cannot continue

you copied the files to a wrong place. You placed them in busextenders.load in stead of bootbusextenders.load

@slack 1230:

i uploaded your changed sif file

Today i installed XP on my mentioned dell gx260 via usb. I used a dane elec 4GB flash drive.

I finally overcome the 0x0000007B BSOD with help of the kicker.iso which is used in UBUSB. With this application I was able to come in a win environment and activate winnt32.exe.

Howto.
1. First create your bartpe files using UBCD4WIN
2. after you have done that create your usb flashdrive using UBUSB
point to the files of your bartpe
be sure you check create cd image and let de default Z in place
check if you have selected the right drive
press go

after finished you have a bootable usb drive which is able to get in a xp environment.

3. Now copy the content of your win XP CD to a folder XPCD on the flash drive (x:\xpcd)
4. after copying boot the drive in the PC and select Compatibility Mode (Memory Mapped)
5. after finished you select the commandline and type

X:\XPCD\i386\Winnt32.exe /syspart:C: /tempdrive:C: /makelocalsource

6. first enter the xpkey and name of the computer and region then click next
7. Now you're asked if you want to upgrade to the XP NTFS filesysten, select "NO" for this then hit Next.
8. It'll now see "Copying installation files" and the familiar green progress bar. Shortly after "Copying Installation Files" is complete, setup will close without notice or any type of prompt, this is normal.
9. remove the flash drive and Reboot your computer and setup will continue from the hard drive where you can choose to install XP or do a repair install if XP is already installed.

Many thanks to pcuser

http://ubcd4win.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=11375&view=findpost&p=76606

I cant seem to find the second [files] section in DOSNET file. Please help.

nice guide thanks

Wont boot off modified cd

hey guys,

I've resently needed a external hdd with a windows OS pref win7 but that needs a VM so I've gone for winXP . I've made an ISO of the winXP cd, modified the I386 files (usbboot.inf, usbstor.in_ etc) copied them to a dvd and a cd and rebooted the computer. I disconected the original hdd told it to boot from cd and it wont boot from either cd or dvd it says booting from cd/dvd: then it does nothing. left it for a few ours and it still hasn't changed.

I've tried putting the original winXP cd in and it booted straight away. so the computer definatly does boot with cds. I've tried other computers and it still wont boot off the cd. however when in windows and I double click on the cd icon it asks me if I want to install windowsXP and I don't particularly want to do it that way cause I don't want it to install on the original hdd (accidently)

if anyone knows whats wrong with the modified cd it'd be great if you could tell me

thanks in advance!

Michael

hello thanks for the guide i really want to have windows Xp ( BOOTABLE ) from External HD 40g
untill now i burned 6 cds and none worked my pc support usb booting and i disable the local HD ... windows setup detect the USB but it says cannot access it how to fix it ...
can someone just upload a Ready to use ISO .... i tried to download all the above attached files and tried them sadly none worked so i really hope someone can just upload a ready to use ISO

thanks please i really need this ,,
thanks

i get this message :
Your Computer startup program cannot gain access to disk containing the partition or free space you choose . setup cannot install windows XP on this hard disk

this lack of access does not necessarily indicate an error condition.........................


can someone help me

I tried to follow the thread but got lost with all technical words.

Thank's for solution

I was able to put a fully-functional install on a 4GB USB flash, however it'll only boot with the install CD in the drive. I'll get the dreaded 0x0000007B without it. (Which defeats the purpose.) Is there a solution that doesn't involve BartPE? I want a full install, not a livecd-like deal. Thanks in advance!

Edit: I've followed the entire directions again (along with the USBBOOT.INF fix) and I made another ISO. If this doesn't work as it is, I'm going to put a boot disk on the USB and that should work. Thanks for the guide... I can pretty much say it works.

line 0 of usbboot.inf is corrupted setup canot continue

Hi All

I followed all the steps to install windows xp on usb

And i did everything but wen i install windows on usb this massage is came

( line 0 of usbboot.inf is corrupted setup canot continue.)


Please Help
urgently m keen to know the solution........