Can you install windows onto an external HDD plugged into another computer?

My GF's lappy is stuffed, XP loads but goes real slow, have to wait about 5 mins before you can do anything.
So i got a copy of XP to format and reinstall, but i cant do it.
I've put the disc in and boot from CD drive and all goes according to plan, but halfway through "windows checking system" or some shit, an error message comes up.

So, Is it possible for me to pull the HDD out of the lappy and plug it into my desktop (i have a caddy to do it), format it and install XP on it.

Then bung it back into the lappy...

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Balls.

I've never tried, but I doubt windows will install to an external drive.

Try checking what is causing the install error on the lappy... could be the cause of all your issues.

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[COLOR="Gray"]550Nm off a 2L... Just wish it was in the dak dak...[/COLOR]

i reccon you could. Funny thing actually. I just finished formating mine. its been stuffed for weeks.

1st just check, are you sure the copy of xp is 'booable'? or do you maybe need to start windows first then run it? i've got two versons of xp. one is bootable the other needs to have winows running then you install it. that might be the problem
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once the caddy is connected to your comp, start up and boot from cd. you should be able to select which drive you want to install xp to. do a format 1st then install to the portible. make sure you dont install it to the wrong drive hey. then you'll be stuffed

the problem might be a scratch on your install cd?

In short no....the hardware is different.
You could possibly install via the desktop as suggested, once complete move the disk back to the laptop - boot the XP CD and perform a <R> repair installation (not recovery console) to update the registry with the laptops hardware.
Chances are the problem is when the setup is probing hardware and having an issue such as detecting the correct chipset driver - and will probably end up bombing out as previously - but might be worth a shot attempting if you have the time.
What type of laptop is it ? Did it not come with system restore CD specific for that model ?
Scratched cds suck - but copies of scratched CDs suck even more as they look ok.

Sounds like the laptop hard drive is on the way out (maybe just a few bad sectors at the moment).

If you have a caddy for the laptop hard drive (and you don't need any data off out it), then you could format it with you PC (don't do a quick format). If this reports any errors, then good chance the laptop hard drive is stuffed.

Good luck

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MY11 WRX + 86

It can install both ways, windows running and not, but both dont work.

Its an old compaq and i wouldnt have a clue where (if) any recovery disks are.

Im not too fussed about the data on it.
So would putting the lappy HDD on the Desktop, formatting it, then putting it back into the lappy blank to try to install work?

The disk looks fine, but like mentioned above, maybe the original was stuffed. I got it off a lad on rexnet.

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Balls.

message says:
File ini910u.sys caused an unexpected error (24775) at line 3540 in
d:\xpsprtm\base\boot\setup\setup.c.

press any key to continue


Press a key and it just starts again.
d: is the dvd drive so that means its a cd error?
happens exactly same spot everytime, trying to install AMI MegaRAID or some crap.

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Balls.

make sure your RAM is seated correctly

find another copy of XP

try again..

if it fails again its either the HDD or the CDROM ...

Try installing from an external CDROM

If it still stuffs up replace the HDD

If it fails again its the laptop.. Drop in bin and go and buy a shiny new MAC..

Is it the exact same file each time?

If so then sounds like the CD if its a different files each time then sounds to me like faulty RAM or HDD.