using external drive as a primary boot

[Peter.Cort]

could you use an external drive as a primary boot drive, or would there be some conflict with boot up.

 

[turtile]

It depends on your BIOS.

 

[sPlAtOiD]

It wouldn't be the best idea.

 

[H4x3r]

technically yes, as long as your BIOS supports booting from a usb device (most newer do) then it is possible. Although, you really don't want to do that because you will be severely limiting your system, because it can only read/write as fast as the usb 2.0 can go

 

[ReikokuKo]

Would it be possible to have an IDE controller in the expansion slot and use an external IDE drive?

 

[turtile]

Would it be possible to have an IDE controller in the expansion slot and use an external IDE drive?

eSata would be a much better idea since you can get power and data connectors from the computer instead of having IDE and molex connectors hanging out (unless the power is connected externally and already booted up - but you would still have the IDE hanging out)