Vista install on External Hard Drive jammiedodger546 <jammiedodger546.3ko3fc[ at ]DoNotSpam.com> 12/19/2008 12:30:45 PM Hi, I am currently running XP Pro and want to install Vista. I have made a new partition on my _External_ Hard Drive. I went into the install, and I get this message when doing a clean install and choosing the partition: > Windows cannot be installed to this disk. Setup does not support > configuration of or installation to disks connected through a USB or > IEEE 1394 port. > > This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure > that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu. Is there any way to make it work at all? If it helps, the external Hard Drive is: _Western_Digital_Elements_640GB_USB_2.0_External_DeskTop_Hard_Drive._ From my searching, there are no drivers as it is a "Plug 'n' Play" Hard Drive, I will have a look for the box to see if any disks came with it though so I could try to "feed" Vista the drivers? Then, for the "This Computer's Hardware may not support booting....." ect, how can I enable it in BIOS? I am using a Dell Inspiron 6400 (US is E1505). If you need any more specs of my Laptop I will try and find them out (but instructions on how to find them would be nice, I'm no PC expert :p) Thanks, Jammiedodger546 -- jammiedodger546 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ jammiedodger546's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/members/jammiedodger546.htm View this thread: http://forums.techarena.in/vista-setup-install/1090266.htm http://forums.techarena.in

Re: Vista install on External Hard Drive Malke <malke[ at ]invalid.invalid> 12/19/2008 1:33:40 PM jammiedodger546 wrote: [Quoted Text] > > Hi, > I am currently running XP Pro and want to install Vista. > > I have made a new partition on my _External_ Hard Drive. > > I went into the install, and I get this message when doing a clean > install and choosing the partition: > >> Windows cannot be installed to this disk. Setup does not support >> configuration of or installation to disks connected through a USB or >> IEEE 1394 port. >> >> This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure >> that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu. > > Is there any way to make it work at all? No. Windows will not install on an external USB hard drive. The error message is not lying to you. The only external drives on which Windows can be installed are eSATA because they aren't really "external" in the classical sense. Malke -- MS-MVP Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Re: Vista install on External Hard Drive onetrax <guest[ at ]unknown-email.com> 12/19/2008 3:52:51 PM jammiedodger546;914932 Wrote: > Hi, > I am currently running XP Pro and want to install Vista. > > I have made a new partition on my _External_ Hard Drive. > > I went into the install, and I get this message when doing a clean > install and choosing the partition: > > > > > > > Windows cannot be installed to this disk. Setup does not support > > > configuration of or installation to disks connected through a USB or > > > IEEE 1394 port. > > > > > > This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure > > > that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu. > > > > Is there any way to make it work at all? If it helps, the external > Hard > Drive is: > > _Western_Digital_Elements_640GB_USB_2.0_External_DeskTop_Hard_Drive._ > > From my searching, there are no drivers as it is a "Plug 'n' Play" > Hard > Drive, I will have a look for the box to see if any disks came with > it > though so I could try to "feed" Vista the drivers? > > Then, for the "This Computer's Hardware may not support booting....." > ect, how can I enable it in BIOS? I am using a Dell Inspiron 6400 (US > is > E1505). If you need any more specs of my Laptop I will try and find > them > out (but instructions on how to find them would be nice, I'm no PC > expert :p) > > Thanks, > Jammiedodger546 > > > -- > jammiedodger546 > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > jammiedodger546's Profile: 'jammiedodger546's profile on TechArena > Computer Hardware Support Forums of India' > (http://forums.techarena.in/members/jammiedodger546.htm) > View this thread: 'Vista install on External Hard Drive - Vista Setup > and Install' > (http://forums.techarena.in/vista-setup-install/1090266.htm) > > 'TechArena Community - Technology and Computer Hardware Support > Forums of India' (http://forums.techarena.in) Hi, I'm no expert either but I have an idea. Maybe somebody can tell us if this will work: Install it to a partition on your computer's hard drive and then use Acronis or something like it to clone the installation to the external drive. I think that most of the newer computer's BIOS will support booting a USB (I know mine does). Good luck! -- onetrax

Re: Vista install on External Hard Drive Bruce Chambers <bchambers[ at ]cable0ne.n3t> 12/19/2008 3:55:08 PM jammiedodger546 wrote: [Quoted Text] > Hi, > I am currently running XP Pro and want to install Vista. > > I have made a new partition on my _External_ Hard Drive. > > I went into the install, and I get this message when doing a clean > install and choosing the partition: > >> Windows cannot be installed to this disk. Setup does not support >> configuration of or installation to disks connected through a USB or >> IEEE 1394 port. >> >> This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure >> that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu. > > Is there any way to make it work at all? Only one, that I know of. Microsoft operating systems are specifically designed so that they cannot be installed on external drives, because allowing it would greatly facilitate EULA and copyright violations. However, if you were to install an eSATA (External SATA) controller card in the computer, Vista could be installed to an eSATA drive, as such a drive is seen by the OS as "internal." -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers. ~ Denis Diderot

Re: Vista install on External Hard Drive "John Barnett MVP" <freelance[ at ]invalid.invalid> 12/19/2008 7:52:18 PM As far as I know none of the Windows operating systems have been able to install to an external hard drive. I tried it some years ago and got a similar message to the one you got, so I never bothered again. -- -- John Barnett MVP Windows XP Associate Expert Windows Desktop Experience Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy, reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this mail/post.. "jammiedodger546" <jammiedodger546.3ko3fc[ at ]DoNotSpam.com> wrote in message news:jammiedodger546.3ko3fc[ at ]DoNotSpam.com... [Quoted Text] > > Hi, > I am currently running XP Pro and want to install Vista. > > I have made a new partition on my _External_ Hard Drive. > > I went into the install, and I get this message when doing a clean > install and choosing the partition: > >> Windows cannot be installed to this disk. Setup does not support >> configuration of or installation to disks connected through a USB or >> IEEE 1394 port. >> >> This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure >> that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu. > > Is there any way to make it work at all? If it helps, the external Hard > Drive is: > > _Western_Digital_Elements_640GB_USB_2.0_External_DeskTop_Hard_Drive._ > > From my searching, there are no drivers as it is a "Plug 'n' Play" Hard > Drive, I will have a look for the box to see if any disks came with it > though so I could try to "feed" Vista the drivers? > > Then, for the "This Computer's Hardware may not support booting....." > ect, how can I enable it in BIOS? I am using a Dell Inspiron 6400 (US is > E1505). If you need any more specs of my Laptop I will try and find them > out (but instructions on how to find them would be nice, I'm no PC > expert :p) > > Thanks, > Jammiedodger546 > > > -- > jammiedodger546 > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > jammiedodger546's Profile: > http://forums.techarena.in/members/jammiedodger546.htm > View this thread: > http://forums.techarena.in/vista-setup-install/1090266.htm > > http://forums.techarena.in >

Re: Vista install on External Hard Drive "philo" <philo[ at ]privacy.net> 12/20/2008 10:04:51 AM "John Barnett MVP" <freelance[ at ]invalid.invalid> wrote in message news:ehcCNNhYJHA.2068[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... [Quoted Text] > As far as I know none of the Windows operating systems have been able to > install to an external hard drive. > > I tried it some years ago and got a similar message to the one you got, so I > never bothered again. > Someone came up with a very complicated workaround for XP http://www.ngine.de/article/id/8 But I doubt that it would work with Vista. At any rate it's certainly not supported by Microsoft. > -- > > -- > John Barnett MVP > Windows XP Associate Expert > Windows Desktop Experience > > Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org > Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org > Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com > > The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any > kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy, > reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for > any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the > use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this > mail/post.. > > > "jammiedodger546" <jammiedodger546.3ko3fc[ at ]DoNotSpam.com> wrote in message > news:jammiedodger546.3ko3fc[ at ]DoNotSpam.com... > > > > Hi, > > I am currently running XP Pro and want to install Vista. > > > > I have made a new partition on my _External_ Hard Drive. > > > > I went into the install, and I get this message when doing a clean > > install and choosing the partition: > > > >> Windows cannot be installed to this disk. Setup does not support > >> configuration of or installation to disks connected through a USB or > >> IEEE 1394 port. > >> > >> This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure > >> that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu. > > > > Is there any way to make it work at all? If it helps, the external Hard > > Drive is: > > > > _Western_Digital_Elements_640GB_USB_2.0_External_DeskTop_Hard_Drive._ > > > > From my searching, there are no drivers as it is a "Plug 'n' Play" Hard > > Drive, I will have a look for the box to see if any disks came with it > > though so I could try to "feed" Vista the drivers? > > > > Then, for the "This Computer's Hardware may not support booting....." > > ect, how can I enable it in BIOS? I am using a Dell Inspiron 6400 (US is > > E1505). If you need any more specs of my Laptop I will try and find them > > out (but instructions on how to find them would be nice, I'm no PC > > expert :p) > > > > Thanks, > > Jammiedodger546 > > > > > > -- > > jammiedodger546 > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > jammiedodger546's Profile: > > http://forums.techarena.in/members/jammiedodger546.htm > > View this thread: > > http://forums.techarena.in/vista-setup-install/1090266.htm > > > > http://forums.techarena.in > >

Re: Vista install on External Hard Drive "John Barnett MVP" <freelance[ at ]invalid.invalid> 12/20/2008 1:19:29 PM As you say, Philo the process is very complicated, probably far beyond the reach of the average user. -- -- John Barnett MVP Windows XP Associate Expert Windows Desktop Experience Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy, reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this mail/post.. "philo" <philo[ at ]privacy.net> wrote in message news:eZFiinoYJHA.1268[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... [Quoted Text] > > "John Barnett MVP" <freelance[ at ]invalid.invalid> wrote in message > news:ehcCNNhYJHA.2068[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >> As far as I know none of the Windows operating systems have been able to >> install to an external hard drive. >> >> I tried it some years ago and got a similar message to the one you got, >> so > I >> never bothered again. >> > > > Someone came up with a very complicated workaround for XP > > http://www.ngine.de/article/id/8 > > > But I doubt that it would work with Vista. > > At any rate it's certainly not supported by Microsoft. > > >> -- >> >> -- >> John Barnett MVP >> Windows XP Associate Expert >> Windows Desktop Experience >> >> Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org >> Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org >> Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com >> >> The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any >> kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy, >> reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable > for >> any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of > the >> use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this >> mail/post.. >> >> >> "jammiedodger546" <jammiedodger546.3ko3fc[ at ]DoNotSpam.com> wrote in message >> news:jammiedodger546.3ko3fc[ at ]DoNotSpam.com... >> > >> > Hi, >> > I am currently running XP Pro and want to install Vista. >> > >> > I have made a new partition on my _External_ Hard Drive. >> > >> > I went into the install, and I get this message when doing a clean >> > install and choosing the partition: >> > >> >> Windows cannot be installed to this disk. Setup does not support >> >> configuration of or installation to disks connected through a USB or >> >> IEEE 1394 port. >> >> >> >> This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure >> >> that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu. >> > >> > Is there any way to make it work at all? If it helps, the external Hard >> > Drive is: >> > >> > _Western_Digital_Elements_640GB_USB_2.0_External_DeskTop_Hard_Drive._ >> > >> > From my searching, there are no drivers as it is a "Plug 'n' Play" Hard >> > Drive, I will have a look for the box to see if any disks came with it >> > though so I could try to "feed" Vista the drivers? >> > >> > Then, for the "This Computer's Hardware may not support booting....." >> > ect, how can I enable it in BIOS? I am using a Dell Inspiron 6400 (US >> > is >> > E1505). If you need any more specs of my Laptop I will try and find >> > them >> > out (but instructions on how to find them would be nice, I'm no PC >> > expert :p) >> > >> > Thanks, >> > Jammiedodger546 >> > >> > >> > -- >> > jammiedodger546 >> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> > jammiedodger546's Profile: >> > http://forums.techarena.in/members/jammiedodger546.htm >> > View this thread: >> > http://forums.techarena.in/vista-setup-install/1090266.htm >> > >> > http://forums.techarena.in >> > > >