Question on PC & Peripherals:

I have a Dell computer which came with Windows Vista as the OS. There are many bugs in the Vista system. I am told that I can purchase an external hard drive and install Windows XP and when I use my computer, I will have the best of both worlds--Vista and XP. As a non-IT person, would this be difficult to do?

Submitted by Paul Vernon, via email

Answer:

Though it is technically possible to install Windows XP on an external harddisk and boot from there, consider this: A standard USB 2.0 connector is far slower than the internal connector for the hard drive. As such, you may experience severe performance issues if you go by this route.

Moreover, if you are thinking of an external drive with Windows XP that you can use on any machine, then it could be a no-go. Each desktop and laptop have different components which need specific drivers. As such, you'll have to keep installing drivers which may be more hassle than it's worth.

A much better option is to dual-boot Vista and XP on internal harddisks. However, there is some technical knowledge required so we suggest you seek professional help before attempting this. And remember, whatever you do, backup your data first.