mobile dock as primary HD

Hello...

Will it work? Maybe. There are some problems with what your client is asking for. But, it can be adjusted to achieve his core objectives.

1. As you know, Windows XP requires activation. Activation looks at the hardware to compute a number that is designed to uniquely identify that system. Two "identical" PCs are not identical to Windows Activation. This may or may not be a problem because very small differences between two PCS do not make them different to Windows Activation.

2. Legally, by the license, you're not supposed to install Windows like that. You're supposed to install Windows on one PC, not share a single copy with two PCs via a removable HDD.

3. His real requirements appear to be: (1) Ability to move his data easily from one PC to another, (2) Normal high performance accessing his data.

4. I would recommend you obtain two PCs for him each with Windows and applications installed on an internal HDD. Then, obtain a USB 2.0 or FireWire external HDD for him. Configure Windows so the "Desktop" and "My Documents" folders reside on the D: drive (the external HDD).

5. It's generally better to use two separate physical HDDs for system and data anyway. The two recovery scenarious are:
5.1 If the system drive fails, replace it and install a new system and applications without affecting any of the data.
5.2 If the data drive fails, replace it and restore the data USING THE STILL WORKING SYSTEM from the latest backup.

6. Note: The backup could easily be a second external HDD.

Does this answer your question?

-----Steve Jackson

CEO/CSA
Software Corporation (Softcorp)
http://www.softcorp.us/probono
Advanced pro bono tools and utilities free for personal use

The only thing I disagree with from Steve's post is point 1 on activation.

Even if you build up 2 identical PCs, you are VERY apt to trigger an activation event when moving an OS hard drive between 2 different PCs.

At a minimum, the CPU and NIC will report different serial numbers.
That is 3 points right there.

One way to reduce the risk of an activation event would be to use a USB NIC that is transported along with the hard drive.

Also, avoid motherboards with built-in NICs.

If you build up AMD based systems, you can avoid the CPU serial number issue.

I myself would suggest a more utilitarian solution.

Get a decent notebook PC and 2 docking stations.

No license or activation issues.

No setup complications.

Plus, he can access his data while in transit.

Chas