Booting Windows XP from an external USB hard drive.

I have a SimpleTech SimpleDrive USB External hard drive, I would like to install Windows XP on it and be able to boot from it. I sent an email to SimpleTech, asking this question, below is the reply I received from them, maybe this is true, but, maybe someone out there might an answer.

Thank you for any help

Kenny

Case#: CS152565
SimpleTech Part#: SP-U25/40R
System Manufacturer: Toshiba
System Model: Simpledrive hispeed USB 2.0
System Model#: MK4032GAX
Operating System: winxp

SOLUTION: There is no DOS driver for this product. This product is intended for use an an
additional drive and will not work as a boot drive.

Regards,

SimpleTech Technical Support

PROBLEM: I would like to know if there is a DOS driver for the 40GB SimpleDrive PS, I
would like to use it as the boot drive on my laptop, I tryed to install Windows XP on this
drive, but DOS doesn't see the drive. Can the drive be used as a boot drive for Windows
XP, if so how do I get my lap top to see it when it's booting? Thank you for any help!

 

Does you laptop BIOS support USB devices as boot drives?
Go into the BIOS and see if USB devices are listed as available devices in the BIOS boot order.

If not, there is nothing you can do.

 

You can upgrade your bios to support an usb boot.
You will need to check with your motherboard manufacturer for that.