Link to USB readyboost test results http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/01/31/windows-vista-superfetch-and-readyboostanalyzed/page5.html
This free utility has worked well for me. http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/09/09/windows_in_your_pocket/
Have run Firefox from usb/CD with the host OS/apps loaded to answer OP's question.
An Operating System on a usb drive can be invaluable with the following caveats listed in no particular order especially on computers with unknown...
Thanks to Jim Eshelman. Hope this helps. ;)
Give this link and USB evaluation utility download a try. Good luck [url]http://www.usb.org/faq/q1
Helpful info on this topic. http://www.scotfinnie.com/newsletter/20.htm :)
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