Install Windows XP on External Hard Drive

Is there anyway I can install Windows XP on my WD 500GB External HD? It serves as my Time Machine for my MacBook, which doesn't have a whole lot of HDD space left. I'd like to install XP and be able to run it on my Mac, but it takes up way to much space.
If I can't install XP to my external drive, is there any suggestions for clearing space on my MacBook? Any way to remove unwanted applications?

Jerid Lucas wrote:
I don't quite understand your answer, or maybe you don't quite understand my question. Here are a little more details.
I have an Early 2008 Macbook with a 160GB HDD with Tiger installed.
For BootCamp you need OSX Leopard since the BootCamp Beta from OSX Tiger no longer works.
I'm interested in running Windows XP on my MacBook, but I'm concerned with it taking up space on my already small HDD. However, I do have a 500GB external HDD that I have plenty of space on.
My question remains, is there anyway that I could install Windows XP on my external drive while keeping Leopard on my laptop HDD. Would I be able to use BootCamp to assist me. If not, how would I access/boot XP?
See my first post. Windows is not intended to be booted of an external harddisk.
This is prevented by Microsoft and BootCamp can not change this.
Windows XP itself needs about 10GB of harddisk space. Add to that the amount of disk space that will be used y the Windows programs you want to run plus the space used by the data files.
So something about 20-25GB for Windows might be sufficient.
How much free disk space do you have right now ?
What is 'eating' up your disk space ?
I know these are several questions, and difficult ones at that, but I believe there is an answer somewhere.
The answer is given, but the technical limitations of Windows prevent the answer from being what you want to hear.
Stefan

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I have to agree that Windows8 is a waste of time, especially if you don't have a touch screen and compatible apps.
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It all depends on the PC motherboard and BIOS, I don't even think MS has done anything draconian or such, and it is possible and actually easy, with the right X58 say motherboards (most). My Intel DX58SO I used to install via built in eSATA.
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Can I install Bootcamp on an External Hard Drive?

*Bootcamp on External Hard Drive?*
Can I install Bootcamp on an external Hard Drive? I don't see why it wouldn't work. Do I need to install the Mac OS on the external Hard Drive first, then Bootcamp?
Parallels
Another question. Does Parallels allow you to not have to use the "option" key to boot into Windows? I mean if I use Parallels can I use XP or Vista at the same time as my mac applications?
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Hi Paint Guy,
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By Microsofts Design no Windows can be installed and booted from external HDs. BootCamp just follows this.
However, according to this http://tubeshards.wordpress.com/2006/12/05/install-windows-to-a-macintosh-usb-dr ive/ it can be done.
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Another question. Does Parallels allow you to not have to use the "option" key to boot into Windows? I mean if I use Parallels can I use XP or Vista at the same time as my mac applications?
What, (if any) are the drawbacks to using "Parallels"?
Parallels is an OS X application which don't need a restart of your Mac to run Windows.
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Main drawback is, that Windows runs not native (on the real hardware) but in a virtualized environment.
While this is more than acceptable for 'standard' Office programs, any program that needs direct hardware access (especially games and 3D-programs) either do not run at all or run at noticeable slower speed.
Also you have to realize that the amount of RAM in your Mac is divided between OS X and Parallels Windows.
*What Options are there...*
Is it possible for Apple to allow users to program a key on their keyboard, when pressed will bring up Windows so they don't have to always restart? I need to switch between Windows and mac OS quite often and it's a real pain to always restart. What options do I have?
BootCamp is no option then, since it needs a reboot everytime you want to switch between OS X and Windows.
Parallels (and VMWare Fusion and VirtualBox, BTW) run alongside OSX.
Thanks
You're welcome. Hope it helps.
Have Fun
Stefan
Message was edited by: Fortuny

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Install Windows XP on External Hard Drive

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