I have just bought a new 500GB External Hard Disk (Disk 3), and have partitioned it as:  157GB (I:\Prime), 160GB (M:\Extended with 1 Logical) + and 160GB (N:\Prime). Please see attached (This shows pictorial view of the 2 Internal Disks and the 1 External Disk,  using Partition Magic).
I have imaged, with Ghost 14, the 3 Partitions of Disk 1:  C:\,D:\, and H:\., the other Partition  G:\, in Disk 1 and K:\& L:\ in Disk2,  are used for Ghost Images and other BUs. 
The intention is to: first, delete Partition I:\ (Prime), converting this Partition’s space to “Unallocated”.  Then to make two partitions a Primary, and a Extended partition – 50GB Primary and a 100GB Extended partition, (4 Primaries are allowed per Disk!), using Partition Magic.  Next, make two Logical partitions in this Extended Partition of say, about 50GB each, leaving the Primary as a 50GB partition.  (This should enable a future restoration of the image of C:\, which has the OS.  (the “Rules” are that the Partition with the OS, which has the MBR, must be placed in a partition with “Unallocated” space, and further, that the Ghost Image of which has never “seen” a drive letter of Partition One in Disk 3, so that the MBR will not have this knowledge, when restored!  – acknowledgement, and thanks, to Brian!). 
Next, is to restore the Images of D:\ and H:\ into these two Logical Partitions as above, which in due course could be changed to more up-to-date Images. 
Periodically one would Ghost Images of all HD 1’s Partitions and save them in M:\ partition, but Disk3 would always be disconnected thereafter.  Next set the BIOS to boot up from Disk 3, before Disk 1, but after the DVD/CD Drive.
Then, the reasoning would be, that in the event that there is a major problem, one  could then reconnect Disk 3, and restore the latest Ghost Image available of C:\ (Residing in Disk 1, Disk 2 or even Disk 3), into the external Disk 3’s “Unallocated” space by using the SRD making and then making this partition  the Active Partition. 
Next,  Remove the SRD from the computer, and then reboot it, this time, it should reboot into Disk 3!  One could then restore the latest Images of D:\ and H:\, from the Images in G:\, K:\ or L:\ or even M:\, into the two Logical Partitions in Disk3.   
This procedure sounds complicated, but really should be very easy to do!  There would then be no initial reason to even open up the computer!
The thinking may have several flaws, but please can someone comment on this, or advise of any changes necessary, and hopefully it will be you, Brian (the most highly esteemed guru in the Ghosting Forum, in my opinion!) 

Thanks for your comments, NightOwl.  Please see attached is a photo (not a very good one, but I could not make a screen print!) of the BIOS view – it shows that the 500GB drive and it “looks like” one can move this up the Hard Drive Order! (I haven’t done this yet as I was hoping for advice if what I propose will work first!) As the USB drives are all listed (the other two drives are Flash Drives), I presume that they will!
While replying to your comment I will make two changes to my original post for more clarity:
1.  In the paragraph starting  “The intention is to first. . . “, please add - ,  also
2.  Please replace the penultimate paragraph with:

Brian,
Thanks for your comment - and the hyperlink to look at.  That is very scary! 
I guess I can rest my brain again, and just forget about my “rapid” reinstall, although it MAY have been possible, it is certainly is only for the real experts to attempt with the huge modifications required!  I will stick to the procedure that you previously suggested,  i.e. to use Disk2, still waiting, with the “Unallocated” space! 
It is a bit confusing, however, to note that in my BIOS (previously attached) it shows that the USB booting can be Enabled!  Is this therefore incorrect? 
By the way, Brian, please confirm for me that my logic of partitioning the External Disk3 will work?  Even though I won’t now go the full distance, I would still like to use the 500GB Drive, (which is also physically the same, as the two 160GB drives), in place of Disk1, INSIDE the computer, and then to use that Disk1 in the external housing for storage of Ghost Images.  Hence wanting to “set-up” the first 160GB portion of the 500GB drive, as a replica of Disk1, which will include the partitions C:\, D:\ H:\.   Thanks again Brian, your comments they are always much appreciated.      

Brian,
Thanks for the explanation re the bootable USBs, but please, just one more piece of advice, if you don’t mind!  Briefly will this be in order?:
•      Delete the partition I:\(Primary), which will convert this partition’s space (160GB) all to “Unallocated” space.
•      Make a 100GB Extended partition, in this 160GB “Unallocated” space, using PM.
•      Make two Logical partitions in this Extended Partition, of say, about 50GB each.
•      Leave the balance, approx 50MB, as “Unallocated”
•      Physically then swop Disk1 with Disk3.
•      When “Disk3” (now replacing Disk1) is in the computer, restore an Image of C:\ partition, to this “Unallocated” space.
•      Former Disk1, will now be in external housing, and used for BU’s of Ghost Images.
Are there any changes necessary?  If not, many thanks again, Brian!

Brian
A final test for your patience!
Thanks for pointing out the partitioning limitations in your last post!  I haven’t used PM much - that is until today!  Attached is my revised partitioning of Disk 3, and when required I will remove Disk 1 and replace it with this Disk 3.  I will then use the SRD to restore an up-to-date Ghost Image of the C:\ partition,  into the “Unallocated space”, of Disk 3, which is now outside the extended partition, so hopefully it will be able to boot up with no problems!  Thanks Brian, your advice is all very much appreciated.    

tiff07

I looked at the link Brian gave above in reply #3:  http://www.ngine.de/index.jsp?pageid=4176

I think Brian might be trying to scare you off!  That tutorial is mostly about how to modify the WinXP installation CD so it can be used to install WinXP onto a USB HDD (and maybe a large sized flash drive).  The important take away message from that tutorial is that WinXP can in fact boot from an external USB HDD!!!!

But, it doesn't address whether you can use an imaging program to transfer an already installed working OS from an internal HDD to an external USB HDD and have it work! 

I don't have a system that will allow for booting from an external USB device, so I can't test it--but if the BIOS supports booting from an external USB HDD, then I don't see why a image of a working WinXP OS that is restored to a USB HDD couldn't work--you have to make the appropriate selection(s) when restoring to make sure you tell Ghost to make the restored image bootable, the partition active, etc. ... as needed--and let the ability of the BIOS allow for booting from that USB HDD.

If you have the necessary USB HDD and a system that allows for selecting it for booting--why not experiment a little to see what works--or, what problems or error message(s) might show up!  Nothing ventured....nothing gained!!!

Followup on my last post re:

If you have seen my recent post re I mentioned that I have changed my previous motherboard, to a Gigabyte GA-G631M, which specifies boot order available devices as: Floppy,LS120,Hard Drive,CDROM,ZIP,USB-FDD,
USB-ZIP,USB-CDROM,USB-HDD, and LAN.
So maybe that USB connected external 500GB drive, could have a previous Ghost Image of the C:\ drive, (which has the XP OS on it) restored to it's unallocated space by the SRD, before it is actually required to boot up, which then may be possible!  (The boot order in the BIOS may also need to be changed, for USB booting just after the CDROM). 
But suggest that we first wait for Brian's comments, which will most interesting! 
Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone! 

I found these comments about running WinXP from a USB external HD...

Quote:


Quote: