Can an external HD be used as a main drive?

[darkxshade]

I don't know much about laptops but is it possible to connect an external hard drive and install windows into it and use that as the main drive? I got a friend who's 3 year laptop is starting to go haywire, his internal HD is borked and he doesn't want to replace it with a new one as he plans getting a desktop soon. The only reason he wants to go this route is because he wants to salvage what's left of his files(his internal isn't totally dead yet but he can't get into windows nor format it). This way the external would be mildly useful once he gets a desktop.

 

[corkyg]

Remove the 2.5-in drive from the lappy - connect it to a 2.5-3.5 adaptrer and put it in a desktop. Then transfer are those important files to the 3.5" drive.

Most lappies I know of do not have the BIOS to support booting to a USB device, whuch is where most externals would be connected. Those that do would not merit replacement.

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, You will get much better help if you will identify the Laptop and the OS. If the drive can be read, it can probably be repaired in the laptop. I have to agree with Cork about booting the external.
Luck, Jim

 

[thorin]

Hmmm all the Dells, Compaqs/HPs I've worked with in recent memory can boot from USB.

However I'm with Corky, buy a laptop IDE adapter (<$10) and plug the 2.5 into a desktop and copy the stuff. Or buy an external enclosure that takes a 2.5 and grab the 2.5 out of the laptop, drop it in the external enclosure and attach it to a desktop.