I just purchased a Western Digital 160GB "media center" external hard
drive. I bought this to a) backup files b) transfer files between my
desktop and laptop c) make the process of formatting drives easier. I
will primarily be storing image and music files on the external drive
(surprise!).  I was wondering, could I also load the software I manage
these files with (itunes and adobe Photoshop album) onto the external
drive so that when I plug the external drive into a friends PC, I
could manage the files from their computer with familiar software?  In
short; can a external hard drive run applications as well as store
files? Also, would it be efficient to host my music and image files on
an external drive only? i.e. Would it be slow for my computer to have
to reference the external hard drive every time I wanted to call up a
file? (USB2.0)

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Request for Question Clarification by maniac-ga on 02 Nov 2004 15:25 PST

Hello Newenglanda,

Are you talking about a Mac or Windows PC?

You mention iTunes so I'd guess a Mac, but do not mention the OS
specifically. If a Mac, I can give you some suggestions on how to do
this effectively.

  --Maniac

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Clarification of Question by newenglanda-ga on 02 Nov 2004 18:20 PST

A Windows PC running XP

Run applications from a newly plugged in external HD ...

Almost certainly not.

Too much software depends on shared 'resources' ie: DLLs, OCXes, Device drivers 
- and the dreaded Registry
- all of which are stored in a 'Central' location. (or need registering)

Sadly, long ago MS forgot the difference between Application and
Operating System software, and brutally encouraged mutual dependancies
that make even a partial backup virtually impossible.

However there is a little hope, you can use 'Disk Caddies' to totally
remove all storage from one system, and shove it into another, the
downside is that if the systems are a bit different hardwarewise,
Windows will mess around re-configuring itself each time you swap the
disk.

It is, of course, totally possible to write 'Rock'n'Roll' software
that works off a floppy, an Iomega Zip Disk or a Flash Key Ring
- it is just that most people have lost the ability to do so.

As frde-ga explained, the windows software loaded on an external hdd
will generally not run because the shared resources are not available.
 If the programs you wish to run were loaded on the hdd and you ran
the setup program to install the program on the target system then the
application would be available.  You could then uninstall the program
when you finished your work.

One note about MS forgetting the difference... The .NET architecture
fixes all of the problems you're citing, and more. Yes, only new
applications will work the way you want, but then when was the last
time this computer stuff stood still for very long? (oh yea, *nix
stands still for very long periods of time!)