Dual boot on external hard drive....

I read in the news, this past January that MSFT was not going to support XP
after June 30, 2008. I don't remember the extent of support downsize. My
concern was that I wanted to be ready and updated and have a current
supported system in place. I'd like to make it all easier and get a new
computer but I'm saving for my first LCD 1080p HDTV, maybe two. They're both
old and I like to update technology. Technology is just like chemistry, they
both make life easier. I like having the latest gadgets, especially if helps
organize my life. I got my computer 2 1/2 years ago and passes the vista
upgrade test. I have a HP Media Center PC, Pentium D (dual), and a decent and
adequate graphics card. I souped it up to 3.5GB RAM and added a PCI slot for
SATA connection. I added the SATA connection because I had just purchased a
750GB external hard drive. I got it for storage and back up. It came
formatted as FAT32. I don't know why. I even know it’s an old format from the
80's, and not as secure and fast as NTSF the preferred (required?) OS format.
I reformatted it to NTSF and I do have it connected by the SATA connections.
That much I knew to do in order for the OS to work, from my research. At the
time I did not know I could do a dual boot install. I found that out on HP's
site. So I thought that would be the best choice for me, in case Vista did
not work out. It made me feel a lot better about the transition. As I started
to do the dual set up, I saw my new external drive there, on my desk, with
all that room and thought, why not see what happens?????! I installed Vista
on it rather on the main C: drive. Why risk losing both, should C:\ crash and
burn. It’s been a little rocky, I have to say. And for some unknown to me
reason, if I update the SATA PCI driver to a newer version, it won’t read the
disk. I had a setback figuring out how to reinstall the older driver that
came with the SATA PCI CD. I like Vista, now that the serious, initial
installation stuff is behind me. Microsoft was very helpful. I had two cases
open. They called me to check on the problem before they closed the case! I
was totally caught off guard. I still lose my connection when I connect
through my router. I need to settle that soon.

My never ending anxiety is this. Did I do the right thing? Is my external
drive sturdy enough to handle the rigors of the Operating System drive? The
tech guys, at the stores, said it could not be done. Western Digital said it
could be not done. I went ahead and tried and it DID work. But I did not
believe them and it’s all going to fail. Back up is my new religion. Were
they right? Is this a high risk set-up? Does anyone have any thoughts about
this? The external drive is Western Digital MY Book Home Edition, 750GB with
USB, FireWire and SATA connections. There were not many with all three
connection choices on the shelf. I wanted Seagate. The RAID PCI slot I
installed is 1.50mbs. I had no available PCI express slot available that
would have given it 3mbs. (I think I have the standards right, if not, I bet
most who know understand.)The graphics card is installed there, the only one.
I was at the limit with graphics for the Vista Aero feature. I bought another
external hard drive, 1TB!, to back it all up, since that was the original
plan anyway. I'm in the planning stage to set up a RAID 1 with the two
external drives. I've played with the set up to start it but don't know
enough to actually go through with it the RAID 1. I don't know if it should
be mirrored or the other type RAID 1 set up. I can't remember the other RAID
1 name right now. I just want to get this post submitted. I think I have
covered the basics. It’s nice having the systems side by side. There are a
few peculiarities. Like the System Information won't display. It says I don't
have windows management instrumentation software… installed. I tried to link
it with the CPU and had no luck. Can anyone tell me if I'm on the right track
or head for a train wreck? And if anyone knows which RAID is best for speed.
My files consist of music, photography, lots of documents. Over 170 GB and
growing as I download bank statements and add more pictures and movies from
media center. Any help or suggestions, warning or assurances would be met
would great appreciation.

Thanks for taking the time to participate. Computing is a full time job.
joe

Thanks Rick...
I do have them connected via the SATA. Now I want to set up a RAID 1 with
the tow SATA connections. Thanks for the good news.

Best,
--
joe
Thanks for taking the time to participate. Computing is a full time job.


"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Installing to and booting from an external drive is generally not supported
> due to slow throughput rates. An external drive connected via SATA (as
> opposed to the more common USB or firewire) should be fast enough to work
> properly. It should be no different than an internal drive as far as that
> goes, it's "external" in location only. The only catch will be whether or
> not the system BIOS supports booting from the connected drive. If it does,
> you're all set.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "JoeRazzle" <JoeRazzle@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:E2244531-0008-45F8-B2DE-23E7A92CC0DE@microsoft.com...

> >I read in the news, this past January, that MSFT was not going to support
> >XP
> > after June 30, 2008. I don't remember the extent of support downside. My
> > concern was that I wanted to be ready and updated. I like having the
> > latest
> > gadgets, especially if helps organize my life. I had the machine to
> > upgrade
> > on, too. I have a HP Media Center PC, Pentium D (dual), and a decent and
> > adequate graphics card. I souped it up to 3.5GB RAM and added a PCI slot
> > for
> > SATA connection. I added the SATA connection because I had just purchased
> > a
> > 750GB external hard drive. I got it for storage and back up. At the time
> > I
> > did not know I could do a dual boot install. I found that out on HP's
> > site.
> > So I thought that would be the best choice for me, in case Vista did not
> > work
> > out. That made me feel a lot better about the transition. As I started to
> > do
> > the dual set up, I saw my new external drive there with all that room and
> > thought, why not see what happens?????! Itâ?Ts been a little rocky, I
> > have to
> > say. I like Vista now that the serious stuff is behind me. Microsoft was
> > very
> > helpful. I still lose my connection when I connect through my router.
> > My never ending anxiety is this. Did I do the right thing? Is my external
> > drive sturdy enough to handle the rigors of the Operating System drive?
> > The
> > tech guys said it could not be done. I went ahead and tried and it DID
> > work.
> > I worry that the drive is going to crash. Does anyone have any thoughts
> > about
> > this? The external drive is Western Digital MY Book Home Edition, 750GB,
> > USB,
> > FireWire and SATA connections. The RAID PCI slot I installed is 1.50mbs. I
> > had no PCI express available that would have given it 3mbs. (I think I
> > have
> > the standards right, if not, I bet most who know understand.)The graphics
> > was
> > installed there. I was at the limit with graphics for the Vista Aero
> > feature.
> > I bought another external hard drive, 1TB!, to back it all up, since that
> > was
> > the original plan anyway. Itâ?Ts nice having the systems side by side.
> > There
> > are a few peculiarities. Like the System Information won't display. It
> > says I
> > don't have Microsoft System Instrumental â?¦ installed. I tried to link it
> > with
> > the CPU and had no luck.
> > Any help or suggestions, warning or assurances would be met would great
> > appreciation.
> > Thanks for taking the time to participate. Computing is a full time job.
> > joe
> >
> >

>
>

See my reply to your duplicate post.

"JoeRazzle" <JoeRazzle@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:504F637A-6D1F-48B9-B0CB-B52CE70C8507@microsoft.com...

>I read in the news, this past January that MSFT was not going to support XP
> after June 30, 2008. I don't remember the extent of support downsize. My
> concern was that I wanted to be ready and updated and have a current
> supported system in place. I'd like to make it all easier and get a new
> computer but I'm saving for my first LCD 1080p HDTV, maybe two. They're
> both
> old and I like to update technology. Technology is just like chemistry,
> they
> both make life easier. I like having the latest gadgets, especially if
> helps
> organize my life. I got my computer 2 1/2 years ago and passes the vista
> upgrade test. I have a HP Media Center PC, Pentium D (dual), and a decent
> and
> adequate graphics card. I souped it up to 3.5GB RAM and added a PCI slot
> for
> SATA connection. I added the SATA connection because I had just purchased
> a
> 750GB external hard drive. I got it for storage and back up. It came
> formatted as FAT32. I don't know why. I even know it’s an old format from
> the
> 80's, and not as secure and fast as NTSF the preferred (required?) OS
> format.
> I reformatted it to NTSF and I do have it connected by the SATA
> connections.
> That much I knew to do in order for the OS to work, from my research. At
> the
> time I did not know I could do a dual boot install. I found that out on
> HP's
> site. So I thought that would be the best choice for me, in case Vista did
> not work out. It made me feel a lot better about the transition. As I
> started
> to do the dual set up, I saw my new external drive there, on my desk, with
> all that room and thought, why not see what happens?????! I installed
> Vista
> on it rather on the main C: drive. Why risk losing both, should C:\ crash
> and
> burn. It’s been a little rocky, I have to say. And for some unknown to me
> reason, if I update the SATA PCI driver to a newer version, it won’t read
> the
> disk. I had a setback figuring out how to reinstall the older driver that
> came with the SATA PCI CD. I like Vista, now that the serious, initial
> installation stuff is behind me. Microsoft was very helpful. I had two
> cases
> open. They called me to check on the problem before they closed the case!
> I
> was totally caught off guard. I still lose my connection when I connect
> through my router. I need to settle that soon.
>
> My never ending anxiety is this. Did I do the right thing? Is my external
> drive sturdy enough to handle the rigors of the Operating System drive?
> The
> tech guys, at the stores, said it could not be done. Western Digital said
> it
> could be not done. I went ahead and tried and it DID work. But I did not
> believe them and it’s all going to fail. Back up is my new religion. Were
> they right? Is this a high risk set-up? Does anyone have any thoughts
> about
> this? The external drive is Western Digital MY Book Home Edition, 750GB
> with
> USB, FireWire and SATA connections. There were not many with all three
> connection choices on the shelf. I wanted Seagate. The RAID PCI slot I
> installed is 1.50mbs. I had no available PCI express slot available that
> would have given it 3mbs. (I think I have the standards right, if not, I
> bet
> most who know understand.)The graphics card is installed there, the only
> one.
> I was at the limit with graphics for the Vista Aero feature. I bought
> another
> external hard drive, 1TB!, to back it all up, since that was the original
> plan anyway. I'm in the planning stage to set up a RAID 1 with the two
> external drives. I've played with the set up to start it but don't know
> enough to actually go through with it the RAID 1. I don't know if it
> should
> be mirrored or the other type RAID 1 set up. I can't remember the other
> RAID
> 1 name right now. I just want to get this post submitted. I think I have
> covered the basics. It’s nice having the systems side by side. There are a
> few peculiarities. Like the System Information won't display. It says I
> don't
> have windows management instrumentation software… installed. I tried to
> link
> it with the CPU and had no luck. Can anyone tell me if I'm on the right
> track
> or head for a train wreck? And if anyone knows which RAID is best for
> speed.
> My files consist of music, photography, lots of documents. Over 170 GB and
> growing as I download bank statements and add more pictures and movies
> from
> media center. Any help or suggestions, warning or assurances would be met
> would great appreciation.
>
> Thanks for taking the time to participate. Computing is a full time job.
> joe
>

Thanks Rick,
At time that I was installing Vista, I intended to upgrade XP. I learned of
the dual install during the upgrade. Windows asked where I wanted to install
Vista. The BIOS does not seem to care!! Actually, as you no doubt know, it
asks at boo up what Windows version I would like to boot up.

Actually, the situation is working well, functionally. I am having trouble
with USB ports not working. It seems to be a common occurrence with Vista, as
I have read many posts about it though my internet searches I’ve done. I have
not found any solutions in any of the forums. I also, some how, lost my
"System Information" file in the System32 folder, in Vista, if it ever
existed, and in XP. I haven't found any solutions to either problem. My
restore points are still not being created. To top it off, Vista keeps
badgering me to keep User Accounts Controls on for Security. When I comply,
IE7 stops working. The dialog box keeps popping up. I am at a loss. I have no
choice but to turn the security feature off. The good about Vista offsets the
bad in my case! It bothers me not to have all programs running smoothly. The
balloon dialog box for the security alert is annoying. Thanks for your reply.

joe
Thanks for taking the time to participate. Computing is a full time job.


"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Installing to and booting from an external drive is generally not supported
> due to slow throughput rates. An external drive connected via SATA (as
> opposed to the more common USB or firewire) should be fast enough to work
> properly. It should be no different than an internal drive as far as that
> goes, it's "external" in location only. The only catch will be whether or
> not the system BIOS supports booting from the connected drive. If it does,
> you're all set.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "JoeRazzle" <JoeRazzle@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:E2244531-0008-45F8-B2DE-23E7A92CC0DE@microsoft.com...

> >I read in the news, this past January, that MSFT was not going to support
> >XP
> > after June 30, 2008. I don't remember the extent of support downside. My
> > concern was that I wanted to be ready and updated. I like having the
> > latest
> > gadgets, especially if helps organize my life. I had the machine to
> > upgrade
> > on, too. I have a HP Media Center PC, Pentium D (dual), and a decent and
> > adequate graphics card. I souped it up to 3.5GB RAM and added a PCI slot
> > for
> > SATA connection. I added the SATA connection because I had just purchased
> > a
> > 750GB external hard drive. I got it for storage and back up. At the time
> > I
> > did not know I could do a dual boot install. I found that out on HP's
> > site.
> > So I thought that would be the best choice for me, in case Vista did not
> > work
> > out. That made me feel a lot better about the transition. As I started to
> > do
> > the dual set up, I saw my new external drive there with all that room and
> > thought, why not see what happens?????! Itâ?Ts been a little rocky, I
> > have to
> > say. I like Vista now that the serious stuff is behind me. Microsoft was
> > very
> > helpful. I still lose my connection when I connect through my router.
> > My never ending anxiety is this. Did I do the right thing? Is my external
> > drive sturdy enough to handle the rigors of the Operating System drive?
> > The
> > tech guys said it could not be done. I went ahead and tried and it DID
> > work.
> > I worry that the drive is going to crash. Does anyone have any thoughts
> > about
> > this? The external drive is Western Digital MY Book Home Edition, 750GB,
> > USB,
> > FireWire and SATA connections. The RAID PCI slot I installed is 1.50mbs. I
> > had no PCI express available that would have given it 3mbs. (I think I
> > have
> > the standards right, if not, I bet most who know understand.)The graphics
> > was
> > installed there. I was at the limit with graphics for the Vista Aero
> > feature.
> > I bought another external hard drive, 1TB!, to back it all up, since that
> > was
> > the original plan anyway. Itâ?Ts nice having the systems side by side.
> > There
> > are a few peculiarities. Like the System Information won't display. It
> > says I
> > don't have Microsoft System Instrumental â?¦ installed. I tried to link it
> > with
> > the CPU and had no luck.
> > Any help or suggestions, warning or assurances would be met would great
> > appreciation.
> > Thanks for taking the time to participate. Computing is a full time job.
> > joe
> >
> >

>
>