How do I boot from an external hard drive?

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Hi all,

I managed to install Windows XP sp2 on a 50 gig partition on a 200 gig external hdd that is connected to my MacBook Pro via USB 2.0. When I plug the drive in, OS X (leopard) mounts it (it is called Untitled).

I went to System Preferences and went to Startup Disk, but my external drive does not appear as an option. Why is this?

Also, I know on a PC, before windows boots I can go into the BIOS and change the boot device. In OS X, is there a key combination I can press to allow me to choose to boot from my external drive?

Thanks!
 
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I think you need to press the option key on start up to select the boot drive, though I'm not sure that XP will boot from an external.
 

chscag

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As stated by skaheadpunk, Windows will not boot from an external hard drive. Macs currently do not use a BIOS, instead the system is controlled by EFI. In order to boot Windows XP or Vista from an Intel Mac, it must be installed on a separate partition located on the internal hard drive.

Regards.
 

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