Use a USB key as the main HD for a netbook OS? [Not just a boot key]

unreggd · 29-06-2010 08:33PM #1

Hey

I have a netbook with a corrupt SSD Hard Drive

Is there any way I can install a full copy of Windows to a USB key which would act as the main Drive for the netbook?

All I can find is info to make a USB key, but this just loads the Windows installer

Overheal · 29-06-2010 08:57PM

I really don't think so. Even if you could it would be dog slow.

matt-dublin · 29-06-2010 09:09PM

you can run windows xp off a boot usb key but its painful,

your best bet would be something like ubuntu

http://www.ossramblings.com/run_ubuntu_from_a_usb_drive

CiaranC · 29-06-2010 09:13PM

Linux works fine from a USB key

Capt'n Midnight · 29-06-2010 09:13PM

almost every windows driver for usb treats it as a removable device,
windows will not install to a removable device

there is a driver , samsung perhaps that isn't seen as a removable device

back in the days of using Compact Flash as a HDD window 98 was used in preference to window 98 SE because it had less disk access

you'd have to do lots of reg tweaks to reduce swapping

and at the end of it all it will still probably be a pig

Fysh · 30-06-2010 05:55AM

The only way of getting something like XP to do it is to go to town on your installation media (major editing of the sort that's not allowed for discussion on here) and make changes to the USB class so that USB devices aren't considered removable. And even that doesn't particularly guarantee much for you.

If there were any way for consumer end-users to get their hands on it legally, I'd say to check out Embedded Windows. As it stands, something like a netbook spin of Ubuntu or Fedora is probably your best bet if you want to boot from a USB pendrive.

Capt'n Midnight · 30-06-2010 09:33AM

when you say corrupt SSD , have you tried reformat / surface test to confirm it's not just sw corruption

what make / model , have you checked if it can take a hard drive or if it can boot from SD card - some of the EEE PC's have two SSD's so you could simply remove one if borked

also ebay may have a replacement card

JonathanAnon · 30-06-2010 09:57AM

I spent a lot of time researching this a as a possible solution for a client a few years ago, but there is a LOT of work involved. If I need to boot to a different O/S I boot to Ubuntu from the bootable CD.

Why dont you just get a new hard drive and install XP to that.. You might pick up one cheap on ebay..

spider guardian · 30-06-2010 10:17AM

SSDs are available on ebay and are cheap enough. They aren't hard to install either. If you don't have an external CD/DVD drive then you will need to know how to install Windows XP from a USB stick. You will also need to write to the MBR yourself.

Much better to have an SSD rather than a USB key constantly sticking out from the machine.

unreggd · 01-07-2010 01:07AM

Thanks everyone

Yeah, I checked the SSD with Windows installer, few formats, keeps sayin its corrupt

There's very few SSDs on eBay, but found some. its a Dell Mini

Just hafta wait for the new SSD to come

JonathanAnon · 01-07-2010 11:05AM

I think it's for the best. I remember them saying that there are problems installing certain apps and getting them to run from the USB drive as well. It seems like a nice solution, but you would spend a lot of time getting this system working, and even then i can see you firefighting issues every day.

Use a USB key as the main HD for a netbook OS? [Not just a boot key]

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