unable to install windows 7 on external usb hard drive

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:36:05 Z

Connected the external 160GB SATA hard drive using USB cable to Lenovo R61 laptop. Bootup the laptop with Windows 7 RC setup DVD disc. The Windows 7 installation recognised the external hard drive but when installing a the point to select the external hard drive as destination hard drive in custom setup, an error message prompted saying Windows 7 could not install on hard drive connected by usb. Inserted the external hard drive into the laptop and install Windows 7 without problem. Then took out the imaged hard drive and put it back into the external hard drive enclosure, connected back to the laptop and bootup from external hard drive. Got prompted to repair. After repair successful, Windows 7 kept reboot and prompted for repair. My questions are (1) any way to install Windows 7 to external hard drive connecting by usb? and (2) any way to rescue the image that already in the external hard drive so that it can bootup normally?
Thanks a lot for any help in advance!

unable to install windows 7 on external usb hard drive

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:51:02 Z

Windows 7 was designed for internal hard drive installations only. External USB hard drives are designed for file storage and backups, not operating system installation.

Carey Frisch

unable to install windows 7 on external usb hard drive

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:44:43 Z

Hi Taknolia8,

Neither Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 will install on a removable USB drive. Apparently there have been some hacks to get it to install but I believe it is quite tiresome trying to attempt it.

John Barnett MVP: Windows XP Associate Expert: Windows Desktop Experience: Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk; Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org; Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org;