i want to use my 400gb usb hd as suitcase for all matters.
how do i set up multiple partitions to boot from?
so that i have on bios boot menu a list of available drives
with options like install 7 32bit, 7 64bit, repair cd, partition tool, umbuntu, etc?
Install the OS's you want on the boot menu in order of age, being sure to install (from boot) Win7 last so it configures the boot menu properly.
If you want to pre-configure the partitions use a partition manager to delete, create and format. Be sure to back up your data before deleting any.
Later you can copy into their desired partitions your data and tools which are not bootable.
When you have everything as you like it, use Windows 7's great new Backup Imaging utility to save an image of your HDD externally so you don't ever have to reinstall again, just reimage the HDD.
no.
i want to plug in my usb hd in any computer, restart and then boot from
the variety of my drives available.
And that is why MS made it impossible.
If they allowed this, Win7 would be portable and carried in your pocket to any machine.
It was possible with XP with heavy installer mods - even to a stick.
Perhaps plugging the USB HDD drive in with IDE/SATA cable connectors. Many USB drives are laptop HDD's. But I believe MS somehow disabled USB interface altogether for running OS's since Vista.
Last edited by gregrocker; 26 Oct 2009 at 02:14.
i guess the only piece i need is a mbr when it comes to my drive.
i think i should install an umbuntu on my usb hd drive to maintain grub (boot manager)
plug in,
reboot.
tell in bios to start from cd.
usb hd should now offer to be a cd/dvd too.
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