Installing Win 7 on a External HDD

khevolution · 21 Dec 2012 at 20:37

Wasn't quite sure what section to post this in.

Im looking for a bit of advice, as usual when i need my computer the most its started to fail, this time its my hard drive that has completely died on me, luckily i had backed up most of my files to my external hard drive. Looking at my funds i cant really stretch to a new HDD, not even a cheap one to tide me over. so im looking for other solutions to keep my computer ticking over until the new year.

The only solution i can think of, would be to install a copy of win 7 to my external hard drive, but that has all my backed up data, but I'm not sure if its possible

can anybody help me out?

andy_mk3 · 21 Dec 2012 at 20:46

I wouldn't be touching your external drive if it is your only back up, a wrong move and you can easily lose the lot.

If you have access to the members market or if not then an auction site, buy a very cheap drive to tide you over. Doesn't have to be big or fast, old and smaller drives are worth next to nothing nowadays

matthab · 21 Dec 2012 at 20:50

You could use a linux live cd just to give you your basic functions back.

khevolution · 21 Dec 2012 at 20:58

andy_mk3 said:
I wouldn't be touching your external drive if it is your only back up, a wrong move and you can easily lose the lot.

If you have access to the members market or if not then an auction site, buy a very cheap drive to tide you over. Doesn't have to be big or fast, old and smaller drives are worth next to nothing nowadays

I would if i could, but i really dont have any money to use this month

CEUOTC · 22 Dec 2012 at 13:11

khevolution said:
I would if i could, but i really dont have any money to use this month

As suggested try a LiveCD of linux or even puppy with will run off a 2gb USB stick.

Ubuntu on a USB stick:

How to create a bootable USB stick on Windows

Or puppy linux on a USB stick:

Download this programme:
Universal USB Installer – Easy as 1 2 3

Download a puppy distro:
Puppy Linux

1. Fit USB stick to a 2.0 port.
2. Run Universal installer. (follow instruction on webpage)
3. Select Puppy.
4. Reboot and select run from USB.
5. Follow on screen instructions.
6. Bingo connected to the web, files etc

Hope this helps.

Regards.

C.

andy_mk3 · 22 Dec 2012 at 23:52

Live CD is an option. But I bet you can get a drive good enough to install W7 on for sub £10.