Installing XP on external USB hard drive

Question

I am trying to install XP PRO SP2 on an external USB drive. The PC is an OPTIPLEX 740...The drive is 'SMARTDISK Firelite'. There are no internal hard drives...I boot to the XP disc and it recognizes to USB drive. When I hit 'ENTER to Install' I receive this message:   Your Computer's Startup program cannot gain access to disk containing the partition or free space you chose. Setup cannot install Windows XP on this Hard Disk.   Any thoughts? I searched the Forum and I didn't find anything relevant. Older posts said it couldn't be done. Newer posts I ran into online say it can, but they don't go into detail.

mombodog · Answer

Torpedo away!

mombodog · Answer

http://www.ngine.de/index.jsp?pageid=4176

Lamakk · Answer

I can't access that site from work...Could you copy paste from it for me??

mombodog · Answer

I cannot, it exceeds the 20,000 character limit.   download the mht file here   http://rapidshare.com/files/82556761/Running_Windows_XP_from_a_USB-Stick_-_HDD.mht.htm

Lamakk · Answer

dang! can't get there either...Proxy kicks back 'Personal Network Storage' as the reason...If i send you a personal message with my email can you send it? I'd really appreciate it...I've been working on this for the last 3 hours!

Windows General

Installing XP on external USB hard drive

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