Windows 8.1 - Wil EXternal Drive in Docking Station boot?

lafargeotte

lafargeotte

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Member
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Location
France
Hi,

Just replaced my OS (Win 8.1) Drive, and was planning on using the old drive as a back up.

This new (and old) drive have just the OS, all my programs and media etc are on other drives.

Can I put my old OS drive, with Windows 8.1 still installed, into a USB Docking Station, and use it as a back up boot drive. In other words will this drive boot from the Docking Station if I keep it up to date (Copy Disk regularly) in case of internal hard drive failure?

Thanks in advance?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    AMD Phenom Quad Core 9865
    Motherboard
    Foxconn A6VMX
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI RADEON HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster P2250
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST380815AS (80GB) System Disk
    Seagate ST31000528AS (1TB) - 2 Partitions (Programs & Storage)
    Samsung HD1035SJ (1TB) - 2 Partitions (Downloads & BackUp)
    PSU
    450 watt
    Case
    Generic
    Cooling
    CPU & Case Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK700
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    20Gbs
A regular poster on another forum does what you are suggesting. Except he takes it a step further. Since he builds his own, the system internal drive is in a quick release setup. If the drive has a problem he pulls it out and slides in the backup. He uses Macrium Reflect to image to the backup using a docking station.

But I've also heard from others that a drive in an enclosure will boot via USB. Some techs use that to boot into a fully working Windows system so they have all the tools needed to fix the customer system during a house call.

Don't ask me about licensing issues since I'm not an attorney. But the poster who does the haedware backup drive I would think is only using Windows on the one drive that is installed in the machine etc..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I only want to keep the old drive in case the new one fails to boot for any reason. Hopefully that will not infringe any licensing matters.

I tried to boot from the disk. Got the usual Windows 8 boot screen, but at about the time it would load the login screen got the BSOD. Unfortunately there is no crash dump (not in the usual place anyway).

It has a different drive letter, O, instead of C, would that make any difference?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    AMD Phenom Quad Core 9865
    Motherboard
    Foxconn A6VMX
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI RADEON HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster P2250
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST380815AS (80GB) System Disk
    Seagate ST31000528AS (1TB) - 2 Partitions (Programs & Storage)
    Samsung HD1035SJ (1TB) - 2 Partitions (Downloads & BackUp)
    PSU
    450 watt
    Case
    Generic
    Cooling
    CPU & Case Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK700
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    20Gbs
I imagine it would have to be C: to work. Registry entries have hard coded drive letters.

Also with my friend, that was with an MBR system. Windows 8 has changed to GPT partition scheme and UEFI booting. I know with Windows 7 they could boot from the external. But Windows 8 may be more difficult. In any case, if the external drive is a clone then it should boot if you install it in the machine. So it's still a way to back up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Also, The drive letter for that drive in disk management when in your current install, will be different from what it is when you actually boot from the drive via USB.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
caperjack said:
alphanumeric said:
"Windows to GO" is the official way of doing what you are trying to do.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5349-windows-8-go-setup-usb-flash-drive-usb-disk.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/14108-windows-go-create-windows-8-enterprise.html
Click to expand...
doesn't work with win8 core or pro edition you need enterprise
Click to expand...

Officially yes that's true. Enterprise is the only one with the utility to create one built in. The second link I posted.
You can roll your own unofficial version though like in the first link I posted. I wouldn't exactly call it "TO GO" though. As it would likely only work reliably on the PC you created it on. Try it on to many PC's and you would likely get a failed activation etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
alphanumeric said:
caperjack said:
alphanumeric said:
"Windows to GO" is the official way of doing what you are trying to do.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5349-windows-8-go-setup-usb-flash-drive-usb-disk.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/14108-windows-go-create-windows-8-enterprise.html
Click to expand...
doesn't work with win8 core or pro edition you need enterprise
Click to expand...

Officially yes that's true. Enterprise is the only one with the utility to create one built in. The second link I posted.
You can roll your own unofficial version though like in the first link I posted. I wouldn't exactly call it "TO GO" though. As it would likely only work reliably on the PC you created it on. Try it on to many PC's and you would likely get a failed activation etc.
Click to expand...

yeah,that's why i deleted my post ,microsoft certifies usb drive ,here is an example of one ,kind of pricey .i have a laptop hdd in a cheap case setup as one but only played with it a few times
http://www.amazon.ca/128gb-Datatraveler-Workspace-Flash-Stand-Alone/dp/B00AHTKVF8
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
caperjack said:
alphanumeric said:
caperjack said:
doesn't work with win8 core or pro edition you need enterprise
Click to expand...

Officially yes that's true. Enterprise is the only one with the utility to create one built in. The second link I posted.
You can roll your own unofficial version though like in the first link I posted. I wouldn't exactly call it "TO GO" though. As it would likely only work reliably on the PC you created it on. Try it on to many PC's and you would likely get a failed activation etc.
Click to expand...

yeah,that's why i deleted my post ,microsoft certifies usb drive ,here is an example of one ,kind of pricey .i have a laptop hdd in a cheap case setup as one but only played with it a few times
http://www.amazon.ca/128gb-Datatraveler-Workspace-Flash-Stand-Alone/dp/B00AHTKVF8
Click to expand...

The issue with thumb drives is they can't be "Removable Media". They have to have bit set in their firmware that ID's them as fixed media. I tried numerous "uncertified" drives and they don't show up in the Windows To GO utility. The certified drives have that bit switched. Like you I'm using an old 5400 RPM laptop drive in an external USB enclosure. I tried a 128 GB Lexar USB 3 thumb drive and a 64 GB Kingstone Hyper X USB thumb drive. The Windows TO Go utility won't use them. :mad:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
alphanumeric said:
caperjack said:
alphanumeric said:
Officially yes that's true. Enterprise is the only one with the utility to create one built in. The second link I posted.
You can roll your own unofficial version though like in the first link I posted. I wouldn't exactly call it "TO GO" though. As it would likely only work reliably on the PC you created it on. Try it on to many PC's and you would likely get a failed activation etc.
Click to expand...

yeah,that's why i deleted my post ,microsoft certifies usb drive ,here is an example of one ,kind of pricey .i have a laptop hdd in a cheap case setup as one but only played with it a few times
http://www.amazon.ca/128gb-Datatraveler-Workspace-Flash-Stand-Alone/dp/B00AHTKVF8
Click to expand...

The issue with thumb drives is they can't be "Removable Media". They have to have bit set in their firmware that ID's them as fixed media. I tried numerous "uncertified" drives and they don't show up in the Windows To GO utility. The certified drives have that bit switched. Like you I'm using an old 5400 RPM laptop drive in an external USB enclosure. I tried a 128 GB Lexar USB 3 thumb drive and a 64 GB Kingstone Hyper X USB thumb drive. The Windows TO Go utility won't use them. :mad:
Click to expand...

but the OP wants to use a clone of his setup on a external drive permanently ,and leave his original drive as a go to if needed .
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
caperjack said:
but the OP wants to use a clone of his setup on a external drive permanently ,and leave his original drive as a go to if needed .
Click to expand...

Yes, I digressed a bit, sorry. My original post with the links was just to show that there was a little more to it that just cloning the drive and trying to boot from it. My hope is that something in the tutorial will show the OP how to get it to work. To be honest, I've only glanced at it myself. I have a working official WTG drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Instead of worrying about boot from USB the OP may be better off just using a drive tray for the internal drive. My friend on the other forum who is enamored of docking stations keeps backup clone drives in a drawer. He claims he boots out of drive failures in 15 miinutes or less. I believe him. At least for MBR based systems. I doubt he has migrated to W8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
The drive tray should work, that puts the drive back to being internal and not external going though the USB adapter. One way is free, if you can get it to work, the other isn't. It doesn't hurt to have options though, so it was s a good idea to mention it. :thumb:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Thanks guys for your help. I was hoping that I could boot from the drive as a standby, but maybe not.

I think I will just make a weekly copy of my OS Drive to this old drive, and then if my OS Drive has a problem, I can just put the old drive back into the tower and boot that way.

If anyone else has any thoughts though, I would happily try anything!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    AMD Phenom Quad Core 9865
    Motherboard
    Foxconn A6VMX
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI RADEON HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster P2250
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST380815AS (80GB) System Disk
    Seagate ST31000528AS (1TB) - 2 Partitions (Programs & Storage)
    Samsung HD1035SJ (1TB) - 2 Partitions (Downloads & BackUp)
    PSU
    450 watt
    Case
    Generic
    Cooling
    CPU & Case Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK700
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    20Gbs
alphanumeric said:
"Windows to GO" is the official way of doing what you are trying to do.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5349-windows-8-go-setup-usb-flash-drive-usb-disk.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/14108-windows-go-create-windows-8-enterprise.html
Click to expand...

Hi there

Windows to GO is only for ENTERPRISE version -- there isn't any way to make OTHER VERSIONS of WINDOWS boot NATIVELY from an external USB drive -- this discussion often comes up but usually it's solutions like mounting VHD's (Virtual Hard drives) or whatever which require the BOOT device in the computer to be working.

The best way of making a REAL totally portable bootable USB system where you can boot even if the internal HDD is totally gone is to create a small Linux system, start up VMWARE's VMPLAYER and boot up a Windows Virtual machine -- this will run 100% from the external HDD and be totally portable.

Here's a link to my thread on creating this type of stuff.

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...make-portable-windows-system-any-version.html

On the Linux / Windows Virtual Machine you can say install backup images of your internal "C" drive - which you could restore or copy to another HDD if you were replacing your internal HDD.


But NOBODY AFAIK (apart from the Windows to Go feature in Enterprise) has been able to create a BOOTABLE RUNNING NATIVE Windows system that runs 100% from the EXTERNAL HDD - even if there is NO Internal HDD in the computer.

(An direct external e_sata connection might however work as this is connected directly to the MOBO so Windows will think it's an internal HDD -- but for USB drives -- no go I'm afraid --if you've done it please post --remember it must also work even if there is NO internal HDD in the computer).

I haven't got a computer with an e-sata external connection - but if someone has - can you see if a Windows disk will boot from this -- note a proper Windows system not the Install system which has no problem running from external devices).

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Excellent idea Jimbo ... I note these cards are quite inexpensive as well...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
jimbo45 said:
alphanumeric said:
"Windows to GO" is the official way of doing what you are trying to do.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5349-windows-8-go-setup-usb-flash-drive-usb-disk.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/14108-windows-go-create-windows-8-enterprise.html
Click to expand...

Hi there

Windows to GO is only for ENTERPRISE version -- there isn't any way to make OTHER VERSIONS of WINDOWS boot NATIVELY from an external USB drive -- this discussion often comes up but usually it's solutions like mounting VHD's (Virtual Hard drives) or whatever which require the BOOT device in the computer to be working.

The best way of making a REAL totally portable bootable USB system where you can boot even if the internal HDD is totally gone is to create a small Linux system, start up VMWARE's VMPLAYER and boot up a Windows Virtual machine -- this will run 100% from the external HDD and be totally portable.

Here's a link to my thread on creating this type of stuff.

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...make-portable-windows-system-any-version.html

On the Linux / Windows Virtual Machine you can say install backup images of your internal "C" drive - which you could restore or copy to another HDD if you were replacing your internal HDD.


But NOBODY AFAIK (apart from the Windows to Go feature in Enterprise) has been able to create a BOOTABLE RUNNING NATIVE Windows system that runs 100% from the EXTERNAL HDD - even if there is NO Internal HDD in the computer.

(An direct external e_sata connection might however work as this is connected directly to the MOBO so Windows will think it's an internal HDD -- but for USB drives -- no go I'm afraid --if you've done it please post --remember it must also work even if there is NO internal HDD in the computer).

I haven't got a computer with an e-sata external connection - but if someone has - can you see if a Windows disk will boot from this -- note a proper Windows system not the Install system which has no problem running from external devices).

Cheers
jimbo
Click to expand...

The first link I posted, the tutorial by WHS, seems to indicate otherwise, that it is doable. Mind you I personally haven't tried it. http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5349-windows-8-go-setup-usb-flash-drive-usb-disk.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
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