[ddie]

Hi All,

I'd like first to say hello as I am new to this Forum. I did make some readings before registering and I'm confident that this is a good place to be. I like most of the articles I have read.

Please let me ask my first question right here. I apologize if this was asked before. In that case please point me to the right direction otherwise I am happy to read your help. Thank you!

I want to prepare a USB Harddrive to carry with me. I want Win7 or Linux (or both --> dualboot) on it and all of the useful working Software. Just installing a new Windows on a new Harddrive, then put that one in a External USB Harddrive Container and boot from USB (as external Drive) does not work. I remember that I have read some times back that there needs to be a small (??) Software to be installed on the USB ext. HD in order to properly boot from. Unfortunately I can't find that article anymore.
Further I have done some Searches on the topic. Those mainly have brought up links to Youtube sessions how to configure a HD using a lot of Hands-On steps. I wonder if there are simpler ways of doing it (e.g. the mentioned SW above).

So here my Question:
How do I create a Bootable External USB Harddrive with Win7 and Linux (Dualboot not a must)? At any moment I like to plug it into my Computer or other Computers and work under the alternate drive.

BTW - my current Computer has already a Win7 installed.

I much appreciate your help - thank you!

This post has been edited by ddie: 08 July 2012 - 09:56 PM

[smax013]

ddie, on 08 July 2012 - 09:27 PM, said:

Hi All,

I'd like first to say hello as I am new to this Forum. I did make some readings before registering and I'm confident that this is a good place to be. I like most of the articles I have read.

Please let me ask my first question right here. I apologize if this was asked before. In that case please point me to the right direction otherwise I am happy to read your help. Thank you!

I want to prepare a USB Harddrive to carry with me. I want Win7 or Linux (or both --> dualboot) on it and all of the useful working Software. Just installing a new Windows on a new Harddrive, then put that one in a External USB Harddrive Container and boot from USB (as external Drive) does not work. I remember that I have read some times back that there needs to be a small (??) Software to be installed on the USB ext. HD in order to properly boot from. Unfortunately I can't find that article anymore.
Further I have done some Searches on the topic. Those mainly have brought up links to Youtube sessions how to configure a HD using a lot of Hands-On steps. I wonder if there are simpler ways of doing it (e.g. the mentioned SW above).

So here my Question:
How do I create a Bootable External USB Harddrive with Win7 and Linux (Dualboot not a must)? At any moment I like to plug it into my Computer or other Computers and work under the alternate drive.

BTW - my current Computer has already a Win7 installed.

I much appreciate your help - thank you!

You will first need to make sure that your computer can boot off a USB device. I believe that it is becoming more and more prevalent and maybe even universal on newer computers, but there are lots of older computers that will not boot off a USB device (such as a USB external hard drive).

[ddie]

smax013, on 08 July 2012 - 10:22 PM, said:

You will first need to make sure that your computer can boot off a USB device. I believe that it is becoming more and more prevalent and maybe even universal on newer computers, but there are lots of older computers that will not boot off a USB device (such as a USB external hard drive).

I can Boot from USB and DVD set through BIOS settings.
Thanks for pointing to this important part.

This post has been edited by ddie: 08 July 2012 - 10:51 PM

[smax013]

ddie, on 08 July 2012 - 10:50 PM, said:

smax013, on 08 July 2012 - 10:22 PM, said:

You will first need to make sure that your computer can boot off a USB device. I believe that it is becoming more and more prevalent and maybe even universal on newer computers, but there are lots of older computers that will not boot off a USB device (such as a USB external hard drive).

I can Boot from USB and DVD set through BIOS settings.
Thanks for pointing to this important part.

If you can boot from a USB device, then you should be able to get it work...in general terms.

The first problem you will still face is the issue of drivers. Unless you are moving drive between IDENTICAL computers, you will have to constantly be messing with different drivers on the different computers each time to attach and boot from that drive. This might make it much more of a pain than it is worth.

The second problem, which is likely the biggest and insurmountable problem, is that Windows licenses only allow you to use Windows with one computer. And while you might be willing to violate the license, there is also the issue of the Windows activation. You will only be able to activate it on one computer and when it detects it being used on another computer, it will throw a "hissy fit".

The second issue should not be a problem for Linux, however.

[ddie]

smax013, on 08 July 2012 - 11:26 PM, said:

If you can boot from a USB device, then you should be able to get it work...in general terms.

The first problem you will still face is the issue of drivers. Unless you are moving drive between IDENTICAL computers, you will have to constantly be messing with different drivers on the different computers each time to attach and boot from that drive. This might make it much more of a pain than it is worth.

Thanks, I am aware of the driver issue. And I don't want to be bothered with it. The main reason to create a USB ext HD is, to have a different environment for some of my work.

smax013, on 08 July 2012 - 11:26 PM, said:

The second problem, which is likely the biggest and insurmountable problem, is that Windows licenses only allow you to use Windows with one computer. And while you might be willing to violate the license, there is also the issue of the Windows activation. You will only be able to activate it on one computer and when it detects it being used on another computer, it will throw a "hissy fit".

The second issue should not be a problem for Linux, however.

But when I boot from a USB ext HD it then would act as if the main computer - isn't it? Further, this is not to cheat on M$ but to have my legal system working on two HD that belongs to me.

So back to my initial question: How to make it work, what is the process, what - if required - Software can/must be used, and what would be my next step?

[smax013]

ddie, on 08 July 2012 - 11:42 PM, said:

But when I boot from a USB ext HD it then would act as if the main computer - isn't it? Further, this is not to cheat on M$ but to have my legal system working on two HD that belongs to me.

No. The USB hard drive is just that...a hard drive. What matters is the computer that it is connect to. And when you move the USB drive from your computer at home to the computer at work, Windows will "see" a different computer and you will run into activation/"Windows Genuine Program" issues.

[ddie]

smax013, on 08 July 2012 - 11:50 PM, said:

No. The USB hard drive is just that...a hard drive. What matters is the computer that it is connect to. And when you move the USB drive from your computer at home to the computer at work, Windows will "see" a different computer and you will run into activation/"Windows Genuine Program" issues.

Ok that is the legal issue - I have to deal with that.
How about the Technical issue to make it bootable?

[smax013]

ddie, on 09 July 2012 - 12:26 AM, said:

smax013, on 08 July 2012 - 11:50 PM, said:

No. The USB hard drive is just that...a hard drive. What matters is the computer that it is connect to. And when you move the USB drive from your computer at home to the computer at work, Windows will "see" a different computer and you will run into activation/"Windows Genuine Program" issues.

Ok that is the legal issue - I have to deal with that.
How about the Technical issue to make it bootable?

No, it is also a technical issue. If you do not activate Windows, then after a period of time (basically 30 days), it will go into a "reduced functionality" mode that makes Windows almost impossible, if not impossible, to use for anything other than going online to purchase a new key to activate it with. And to re-activate it, you will likely have to "manually" activate it by calling into Microsoft to get a code that you manually enter after explaining why you need to activate it again so soon, which will be a real pain in the rear to have to do EVERY time you move the drive. And there is a good chance that they will stop helping you if you do it so often.

And whether you can activate it on another computer at all will depend on the license type. OEM licenses can only be activated on ONE computer...the license is such that they don't let you "move" it to another new computer. A "retail" license can be moved, but they might not let you do it multiple times in one month (I don't know) as their intent is that moving it would be when you got new (major) hardware once in a blue moon (i.e. if you motherboard dies and you bought a new one).

The point is that the activation issue is a way to make what would otherwise be a "legal issue" also a "technical issue" for you.

Now, if you really want to learn this the hardway, then the easiest way to do thing might be to install Windows in a Virtual Machine (VM) using a program like VirtualBox or VMWare or Parallels. You would need to install VirtualBox/VMWare/Parallels on any machine you want to want to use you Windows/Linux setup and have the VM virtual hard disk file stored on the external drive. You then would boot into the OS that is actually installed on the computer and then run the VM on that computer. This would essentially result in YOUR Windows 7 setup running "inside" the OS that is running on the computer. This will reduce, if not eliminate, the driver issue. And it might (although I doubt it) help with the activation issue.

[LincolnSpector]

Hi, ddie, and welcome to the forums.

Windows is not a portable operating system. By design, it doesn't work from an external drive. And it's designed so that one installation will work on one machine.

If you give us more details of how you intend to use this drive, we may be able to find another solution.

Lincoln

[ddie]

smax013, on 09 July 2012 - 04:30 AM, said:

No, it is also a technical issue. [....]

Fair enough - let me take care of that. Thanks for pointing to it.

smax013, on 09 July 2012 - 04:30 AM, said:

Now, if you really want to learn this the hardway, then the easiest way to do thing might be to install Windows in a Virtual Machine (VM) using a program like VirtualBox or VMWare or Parallels. You would need to install VirtualBox/VMWare/Parallels on any machine you want to want to use you Windows/Linux setup and have the VM virtual hard disk file stored on the external drive. You then would boot into the OS that is actually installed on the computer and then run the VM on that computer. This would essentially result in YOUR Windows 7 setup running "inside" the OS that is running on the computer. This will reduce, if not eliminate, the driver issue. And it might (although I doubt it) help with the activation issue.

It's not about going the hard way. I do appreciate your view and will keep it in mind. The subject you are referring to is going way different path from my initial question.

I would appreciate if we could go back to that question so as I can move on. Many thanks.

[ddie]

LincolnSpector, on 09 July 2012 - 07:44 AM, said:

Hi, ddie, and welcome to the forums.

Windows is not a portable operating system. By design, it doesn't work from an external drive. And it's designed so that one installation will work on one machine.

If you give us more details of how you intend to use this drive, we may be able to find another solution.

Lincoln

Hi Lincoln,

Thanks for your question back. Maybe I was not full clear so I try again.
My Notebook has Win7 with all the usual stuff. I want to Install on another USB external HD another Win7 version and put other items on it. The way I intend to operate is, that I simply plug in the USB external HD into my Notebook and boot from there (BIOS is enabled for this). Once finished I would reboot from internal HD.
If there is a possibility of having Dual Boot (not a must would be just handy) on the USB external HD having Win7 and Linux installed I would do that also.

As I mentioned at the entry post, I remember from some times back, that there is a small piece of Software that must be installed on the USB external Drive in order to boot from there. Unfortunately I can't remember where I read that and what SW it is. So I hope folks here can help out.

I was searching on Google regarding this issue and found several links on Youtube. To give you an idea here the top link http://bit.ly/OQO0Ma . The search was this http://bit.ly/OQO9iQ

As I vaguely remember it was not as much hands-on when time back I searched for the same issue. Would you know?

Ok, let's see if we get somewhere now
Thanks for your time.

This post has been edited by ddie: 09 July 2012 - 08:19 AM

[LincolnSpector]

So what you want is an alternative Windows boot on your PC? You can't do that with an external drive, but there are two other ways to do it:

You can install Windows on a separate partition and have a dual boot.

Or you can install virtual machine software and install Windows into a VM.

Either way, you'll have to buy a separate copy of Windows.

Lincoln

[brainout]

ddie, on 08 July 2012 - 09:27 PM, said:

Hi All,

I'd like first to say hello as I am new to this Forum. I did make some readings before registering and I'm confident that this is a good place to be. I like most of the articles I have read.

Please let me ask my first question right here. I apologize if this was asked before. In that case please point me to the right direction otherwise I am happy to read your help. Thank you!

I want to prepare a USB Harddrive to carry with me. I want Win7 or Linux (or both --> dualboot) on it and all of the useful working Software. Just installing a new Windows on a new Harddrive, then put that one in a External USB Harddrive Container and boot from USB (as external Drive) does not work. I remember that I have read some times back that there needs to be a small (??) Software to be installed on the USB ext. HD in order to properly boot from. Unfortunately I can't find that article anymore.
Further I have done some Searches on the topic. Those mainly have brought up links to Youtube sessions how to configure a HD using a lot of Hands-On steps. I wonder if there are simpler ways of doing it (e.g. the mentioned SW above).

So here my Question:
How do I create a Bootable External USB Harddrive with Win7 and Linux (Dualboot not a must)? At any moment I like to plug it into my Computer or other Computers and work under the alternate drive.

BTW - my current Computer has already a Win7 installed.

I much appreciate your help - thank you!

The simplest option: CLONE a bootable drive. Program I finally found for that which is easy to use, is Macrium Reflect 5 Pro. I think I paid $60 per license? License is per machine, not per user, so I got four of them. Really easy to use. It's a turnkey program for all you'll need, and gives you total freedom to change options.

Anyway, one of the subprograms is CLONE DISK. To use it, you ideally need an external hard drive with nothing valuable on it already, and that drive needs to be bigger than your root -- at least, larger than the USED portion of your root. So while in Macrium, you point at your root drive, hit CLONE DISK link; then when presented with other connected drives, point at the external drive you want to hold the clone. Takes an hour to clone.

So now: you can plug the CLONED drive into any computer and operate it just as if you were on the computer from which you cloned. That means, connected at boot (assuming you've told the computer you're on to look for boot device on USB prior to hard drive) -- you can just boot and THAT drive will be considered the 'computer'.

Really handy for instantly changing what computer you're on, and especially for when your computer crashes but you need to be up and running within minutes. Effectively, the cloned drive IS your computer. Home away from Home. Golly, it's such a great solution.

I wish I had learned that solution earlier. But when my registry crashed in May, I went on a hunt for disk image with backup software, because the only way to recover from a registry crash, is to CLONE. Cost me two months of 16-hour days just reinstalling my program files, because a registry crash means all files on your machine CANNOT BE READ by Windows. As a result, I had hoped to make my next computer (purchased only last Wednesday) dual-boot with Linux; but after reading the problems with Linux, I'll instead just keep Linux Live CDs for troubleshooting. Got Clonezilla and GParted. Oh, and EASEUS, but that latter suite scares me. (Maybe for no good reason, still testing it.)

In short, rather than wrestle with other options, CLONE. Best of all, if you're on the road using your clone drive, you can always bring it home and then transfer the files you modified, to your main computer. To do this most easily, you need one more step: BEFORE YOU LEAVE, back up your whole cloned drive via Macrium's Full Backup. It's really an image file, so takes about an hour. Then, on your return, do an incremental backup, then restore the increment. You can restore to a different drive (i.e., the real computer you'd cloned FROM).

Macrium's incremental backup is fast. I run it daily, and it takes 5-7 minutes. Maybe longer, if I did a lot on the machine that day.

This post has been edited by brainout: 18 August 2012 - 05:30 AM