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View Full Version : Use X5 as a real USB-HDD ?

Nytrox
10-14-2005, 10:49
I tried many times to use my X5 as a extern HDD. But I have some problems.

1- Firstly, I would like to know if it's possible to install Windows XP on the X5 (and how have I to do it ?)

2- If we can't install Windows on it, can we use CD-Boot files ? (Bart-PE for exemple)

3- And on my motherboard (ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe), when my X5 is connected, the boot stops during the peripherals detecting at startup. Is there an option to configure in BIOS for its working ?

Thanks.
Lighter
10-14-2005, 17:45
I tried many times to use my X5 as a extern HDD. But I have some problems.
If you are using XP there shouldn't be anything to do other than simply plug it into the computer using the supplied cable and subpack. Don't plug through a hub. Leave the X5 turned off. XP will recognize the drive and it will show up in my computer. Also the X5 will turn itself on and display connected.


1- Firstly, I would like to know if it's possible to install Windows XP on the X5 (and how have I to do it ?)
No. The X5 firmware won't support that.


2- If we can't install Windows on it, can we use CD-Boot files ? (Bart-PE for example)
Good question - you are trying to use it as a boot drive? I truly don't know.

3- And on my motherboard (ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe), when my X5 is connected, the boot stops during the peripherals detecting at startup. Is there an option to configure in BIOS for its working ?
I have the same MB. I've not had to configure anything. I can't even remember looking into the BIOS for nearly three years. I did pull out the manual and I don't see anything in the BIOS that would effect the X5. BUT, you may have a later BIOS than mine. If your BIOS supports booting from a USB drive and that choice is listed higher than your HD, then that might explain the difficulty in booting. Does it boot correctly with the X5 not connected?
aindfan
10-14-2005, 19:37
No. The X5 firmware won't support that.


I don't see how this would have anything to do with the X5 firmware. You should be able to install windows XP on the X5 if your BIOS recognizes your X5 as a bootable USB drive (just as linux can be installed on a USB thumb drive). Think of the X5 as a nice looking hard disk carrier that happens to play music, movies, and more. That's basically what it is.

Feel free to install XP on the X5 IF YOUR MOTHERBOARD SUPPORTS IT, but if you take it to someone else's computer and try to boot from the X5, you'll have to re-activate windows.
Lighter
10-14-2005, 20:36
I don't see how this would have anything to do with the X5 firmware. You should be able to install windows XP on the X5 if your BIOS recognizes your X5 as a bootable USB driveThinking about it, may be right. I sure don't want to be the one to try it first! I'd guess that XP would give an early warning if there was to be a problem. But that gets back to Why?

Installing software onto the X5 is an intereresting idea.
aindfan
10-14-2005, 21:44
I'd say a better use of booting from the X5 would be a customized installation of Knoppix Linux. Its made to be "Live" and customizable, so you can
1. play around with linux and not reformat and lose data (what? personal bad memories? nonsense!)
2. have a personally customized environment that you're used to in unfarmiliar places (public library? school/college?)
Nytrox
10-15-2005, 02:57
I have the same MB. I've not had to configure anything. I can't even remember looking into the BIOS for nearly three years. I did pull out the manual and I don't see anything in the BIOS that would effect the X5. BUT, you may have a later BIOS than mine. If your BIOS supports booting from a USB drive and that choice is listed higher than your HD, then that might explain the difficulty in booting. Does it boot correctly with the X5 not connected?

When my X5 is connected, the detection is blocked, but, to unlock the computer, I just have to disconnect and the detection finish, without a restart the computer. My BIOS is the laster (v1013).

And Linux could works ? A specially version ? Is there a light version of Linux ?
slag[]
10-15-2005, 16:20
A light version of Linux is DSL (Damn Small Linux.) It is ridiculously small and designed for really crappy computers. I think with the amount of memory you have on the X5L you would be better off going with Knoppix, as someone else suggested.

The idea of having a live linux environment on one's X5 is very fascinating, by the way! It would be awesome to boot into my "comfortable" environment from the library, as you said, aindfan.