Boot Laptop Using Portable External Hard-Disk Drive.

[Thomas_Watson]

Hello!

My Internal HDD on my laptop (ASUS) has been wiped clean, including the OS (don't ask how it's a VERY long story)
I tried using my recovery drive that I created to return my laptop to factory settings, but it won't reinstall windows. I suppose it's missing the essential files.

I have a second laptop with the same OS, but different model (Acer) and I would like to know if it is possible to copy and paste everything from my working Acer's HDD from here:

And then into my external HDD. I would then use the Boot Override in setup utility (F2 in Start-up), boot from my external HDD and copy and paste everything from the external HDD and into my ASUS's internal HDD.

Diagram:

Would this work?

 

[Flying-Q]

Simple answer - No

Longer answer - yes, but you have to create an image of the working OS and then use that image to clone a new boot drive in the ASUS. An image is not the same as simply copying the C: drive. Then you have to start windows in safe mode on the ASUS and strip out all the alien drivers from the Acer install and install new ones appropriate to the ASUS as well as de-bloat the Acer-ware. You will likely have to re-activate windows, but your ASUS will have its own licence sticker. Finally, it may not work due to Acer modifying the Windows install as an OEM. This can be gotten around but requires the use of a third computer to edit the image. I have to do this on a regular basis in the shop to repair 'my-son-tried-to-fix-it-for-me-and-now-it-won't-work'.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Welcome to the community, Thomas Watson!

It is possible to make a BOOTABLE external hard drive and install your Windows onto your second laptop.
You need first to format the external HDD and then copy the Windows 8 installation (ISO image).
You can use this link that can walk you through the steps in details:
http://bootableusb.net/make-bootable-external-hdd-install-windows-78/
http://techchannel.radioshack.com/install-windows-external-hard-drive-1515.html

But as @Flying-Q already said, you cannot use it as an OS HDD. It takes a lot of specific and detailed OS knowledge to do so. A simple copy/paste would not work!

Hope this helped though.
SuperSoph_WD

 

[LITEC syStems]

Well, as they say... Do an image with third party software..
But more recommend is to take the asus hdd and put it at your ext hdd case.. Or use another hdd case which have a sata to usb converter... Or if the acer have, use esata, that's the most recommended and stream power to the hd the via usb cable or via atx psu and jump the black n green wires together..
Then, clone the acer hd to the Asus one... Probably u'ill need to do a hd resize with other software like partition wizard if im remember correct.. After all.. Put back the asus hd at his own laptop, and finally use paragon adaptive restore software to help the os to boot on the asus if the os will not boot...