Can You Run Win 2000 On An External Hard Drive?

drivers93 · 07-30-2004, 07:25 PM

I'm considering buying my first external hard drive, primarily for extra space and backing up important files and programs. I'll probably run it via USB 2.0 or firewire (not sure which is faster).

I was wondering if I install Win 2000 on the external drive could it be used as a backup drive in case my C drive dies? In that event is there a way I could make my machine boot up from the external drive and essentially substitute for my C drive?

on a related topic- what about general performance of good quality external drives- will I notice any difference in performance and speed of programs, reading and writing files, etc. compared to using the internal drive?

xotix · 07-30-2004, 07:50 PM

you could run it off an external drive. however it won't be as fast as an internal drive. so if the programs u run use alot of files on the hard drive, you definately notice.

i don't however think this is a smart idea.

07-30-2004, 07:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
drivers93 Newb Techie Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 6	Can You Run Win 2000 On An External Hard Drive? I'm considering buying my first external hard drive, primarily for extra space and backing up important files and programs. I'll probably run it via USB 2.0 or firewire (not sure which is faster). I was wondering if I install Win 2000 on the external drive could it be used as a backup drive in case my C drive dies? In that event is there a way I could make my machine boot up from the external drive and essentially substitute for my C drive? on a related topic- what about general performance of good quality external drives- will I notice any difference in performance and speed of programs, reading and writing files, etc. compared to using the internal drive?

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07-30-2004, 07:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
xotix Ultra Techie Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 888	you could run it off an external drive. however it won't be as fast as an internal drive. so if the programs u run use alot of files on the hard drive, you definately notice. i don't however think this is a smart idea.