two computers, on one hard drive

[freeflap]

i am interested in building two computers; one for work, one for home. I want to use a removable hard drive that i can carry to work, plug in and use, then remove and plug into home and continue to do work. Will this run both systems using XP Pro. Can this be done? Do the two machines need to be identical or can the hardware be different?

Or do I need to install each system independently with its own HD and OS and just use the removable HD for storage? I use Outlook express with digital ID's so wanted to have all my email in one drive.

Please advise. Thanks

b

 

[DaTT]

Sure it can be done. Just partition your drive with XP (or whatever OS you want to use) on each partition. It will ask you what OS you want to load up, you just have to remember what PC is top selection or bottom selection.

As to your "both pc's identical" question. I wouldn't have the same OS for 2 PC's. It may or may not work, if it did work I feel it would be unstable. And, I think only the chipsets have to be the same for XP to not need a re-install.

 

[freeflap]

Thanks.

Sounds like it's better to have each computer use it's own OS and HD.

IS there a way then that I could have the digital ID's for encrypted email and my email messages saved to the removable drive automatically? I use POP3 email and outlook express.

does the "synchronize" feature play into this?

thx