I have a dell inspriton 8600. The hardrive is not working at the same speed it did when I bought it. Is it possible for me to plug in an external drive and install the operating system on it and then boot from that drive instead of the internal drive?
Marc B
Favorite Answer
It is possible but you are aware that this is only going to be a temp solution you really only are supposed to do that if you have to get data off or something but if you want to do it temporary well then follow these instructions.
Windows XP Instructions:
1. Put OS disk in drive and plug in External
2. Press Power Button
3. Repeatedly Press F12
4. When on boot menu select the Disk Drive
5. When the install menu boots then select the external drive and hit format using NTFS (fast) and then let it install now when you boot hold down do step 3 and select your internal drive
Windows Vista
1. Put OS disk in drive and plug in External
2. Press Power Button
3. Repeatedly Press F12
4. When on boot menu select the Disk Drive
5. When the install menu boots then select the external drive and hit format and hit install now when you boot to go into the installed OS repeat step 3 and select the external!