Best external interface for boot drive

[hojoprime]

I have an Intel 865PERLK motherboard, running Windows XP Pro. I would like to add a bootable external IDE drive. Which interface is more reliable: USB 2.0 or Firewire? My mobo has external ports for both. TIA

 

[ribbon13]

USB2 is more common. I would buy a kit that has both, there usually not much more.

 

[corkyg]

Agree with Ribbon13. Get a "both" enclosure - costs about ten bucks more, but gives you great flexibility. USB has a faster transfer rate in the specs, but not in real life. Also - Firewire B is much faster.

I just figured out and did an external drive that is faster than either USB2 or Firewire - that is SATA. Yes - it is possible, and it is much faster than either USB 2 or 1394.

There is a front panel assembly that places a SATA data and Molex power port in a floppy drive space. After setting up the SATA/RAID driver and enabling it - it is also bootable, etc.

Here's an enclosure that handles all 3:

Incl

Here's the easy front panel gizmo:

SATA

Just hit the "Go" button for 202 0701