Startup from external hard disk

I have made a system backup volume on an external Firewire HD. However, since I am using Apple Bluetooth Mouse and Keyboard when I start up from the external disk the wireless devices do not connect reliably, sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.
What do I need to do to make this process more fool proof?
Please help.
Rudolf

Get a wired keyboard or tell Apple menu -> System Preferences -> Startup Disk you want to boot from the external hard drive. This will ensure that it does that until it is told otherwise.
You may have to do the same to Apple menu -> System Preferences -> Startup disk while booted from the external hard disk so the settings are remembered.
Note you really only want to boot from the external hard drive for troubleshooting purposes, and not on a regular basis. External hard drives are much more likely to lose their connection than internal hard drives, and are better suited for backups than regular use. Not to mention the internal hard drive tends to be faster anyway.

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