800mb Flash Drive as bootable drive

**Tidder** · 10-05-2004, 11:46 PM

Ok, finally checked it out. I have an 800mb SimpleTech IDE flash drive. Loaded up windows XP on a separate hard drive, slimmed down my install, turned off my page file, and ghosted it to my flash drive. There is a small speed difference. XP on a regular IDE drive boots in about 18 seconds. XP on my flash drive boots in about 35 seconds. Not too bad for a flash drive. My windows XP installation is about 345mb. I've also noticed that if I turn my page file back on, it boots SLOWER. Strange, so I just left it off. After loading up all the programs I need (RealVNC, Winamp, TidderMP3, Nero, PowerDVD, PowerStrip, Divx codec, XviD codec, 3ivx codec, etc.) my install footprint is at 600mb. Not too bad for a fully functional XP install eh? Thought you guys might want to know.

On a separate note, Windows XP Pro/Home CANNOT be installed onto a USB drive. Probably XP Embedded can be, I'm checking into it.

**DriverDan** · 10-06-2004, 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by Tidder

On a separate note, Windows XP Pro/Home CANNOT be installed onto a USB drive. Probably XP Embedded can be, I'm checking into it.

What makes you think that? My USB drive shows up in BIOS and my system tries to boot from it sometimes.

**Tidder** · 10-06-2004, 12:07 AM

So does mine. Have you ever tried to load XP on it? I have, it doesn't work. XP embedded will, but regular XP Pro/Home will not. I can boot off of my USB drive all day long, just not to XP Pro or Home.

**therussman2002** · 10-06-2004, 12:34 AM

isnt there a problem with a limited number of writes to the flash drive? i did a real small amount of research on doing a boot from a flash drive after my carputer drive died twice in quick succession... this is one thing i couldnt see past i suppose

**Tidder** · 10-06-2004, 10:01 AM

No, I haven't had any problem. So far I've listened to music with it, watched a few movies, played on the internet, and haven't had a problem at all. Whoever says that probably read something microsoft put out. I've seen that idea on their site somewhere.

It may also be because I have a drive designed for use as a bootable drive.
Check this link, this is basically what I have, just a smaller version:
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/def...spx?EDC=690178

**Tidder** · 10-06-2004, 12:24 PM

Anybody out there have any XP embedded success stories?

**BiohazrD** · 10-06-2004, 12:33 PM

I actually posted a thread about this a few days ago. You guys should

. First of all, there are a limited number of writes. So, page file is not going to be good, neither is putting everything all of your movies or music. Furthermore, if your motherboard has a built in compact flash reader, you can install any OS directly to the card. Otherwise you can get a compact flash to IDE adapter, which would allow you to do virtually the same thing. I have not tried XP Embedded, but I'm going to download the trial, put it on a 1GB compact flash card (Excellent deal going on for 4 more days at TigerDirect ) and try that.

Edit: Got the link for the Compact Flash / IDE adapter cable.
Adapter Cable

**EBFoxbat** · 10-06-2004, 01:04 PM

Um... I've installed XP Pro on a USB HDD. It takes forever because the BIOS doesn't support USB 2.0 but it installed normally and booted fine.

**Tidder** · 10-06-2004, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by BiohazrD

I actually posted a thread about this a few days ago. You guys should

. First of all, there are a limited number of writes. So, page file is not going to be good, neither is putting everything all of your movies or music. Furthermore, if your motherboard has a built in compact flash reader, you can install any OS directly to the card. Otherwise you can get a compact flash to IDE adapter, which would allow you to do virtually the same thing. I have not tried XP Embedded, but I'm going to download the trial, put it on a 1GB compact flash card (Excellent deal going on for 4 more days at TigerDirect ) and try that.

Edit: Got the link for the Compact Flash / IDE adapter cable.
Adapter Cable

First off, I don't know what you're talking about. I have and IDE flash drive. It works just fine. Read my top post, I've already set up my XP Pro on a flash drive, and it works just fine. Limited number or writes, big deal, no big loss in performance. All of my MP3's and music are on a separate 80 gig USB drive in the trunk. I just want it this way so I can use a removable hdd tray to transfer stuff, wireless network is too slow. And so I can but my drive in my home computer, sync my data and still use my car computer for other things, like internet and such while I'm in the car. Really the only reason I've set it up this way is so everytime I have a hard drive problem or anything, it won't effect my OS and software. It's a pain in the *** to set up my psOne screen timings everytime I have a problem.

My main point is this, so what if it has a limited number of writes? It still works just fine. Gotta quit scarin' people away from this, cause it's a good idea.

Funny, a newb telling me to search... how ironic

**Tidder** · 10-06-2004, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by EBFoxbat

Um... I've installed XP Pro on a USB HDD. It takes forever because the BIOS doesn't support USB 2.0 but it installed normally and booted fine.

Man, I couldn't get it at all. I've tried a 20 gig pocketec drive, and a generic USB to ide adapter. My xp setup will go through the motions, format the drive, load up the setup files and stuff, but as soon as it tries to reboot after the initial setup, it bluescreens everytime. I don't really get anything except a stop error. I don't get anything like IRQ_LESS_OR_EQUAL or anything. I don't get it man. What kind of USB drive do you have?

The reason I'm pretty sure it doesn't work, is because of the nature of usb. Tell me how you got it goin' down man.

Edit: I have loaded linux on it with no probs.