External Hard Drive and Gaming

modena · 05-15-2006, 12:17 PM

I am using a computer at work that is to some degree locked against installation; I am unable to install programs, although I have tried before and was successful a time or two out of maybe a dozen or so tries. Anyway....I was wondering about installing a game on an external hard drive at home, hooking it up by USB at work and playing it on this work computer. Is there any trick to doing that, can it be done, or am I just not going to be able to?

The game is World of Warcraft if it makes a difference.

Thanks!

Cheesypuff · 05-15-2006, 12:30 PM

the thing with USB is that...and anybody can correct me if I'm wrong...it's works only in one direction at a time. the information can't go both ways at the same time...the in and out has to take turns. now...if you use firewire, it's bi-directional and is optimal for games because the information can go both ways at the same time.

modena · 05-15-2006, 12:43 PM

ok well i guess another thing I could do is install it to a hard drive at home, and connect that new hard drive to the computer at work - would that work?

Or will the USB method work?

Jeffbx · 05-15-2006, 01:09 PM

It all depends on whether the game needs registry entries to run.

If the game makes necessary entries in the registry during installation, then you're hosed - when you run the .exe you'll probably just get errors.

However, if the game is self-contained (i.e., all settings are internal to the game directory) then you're good to go. Only way to know for sure is to try it.

Oh, also make sure the drive letters are the same on the installation machine & your work machine.

modena · 05-15-2006, 01:14 PM

Jeff, can I use the USB hard drive or should I just put an HD in the computer; Will the USB drive be good enough?

Jeffbx · 05-15-2006, 01:36 PM

Sure, either would work, assuming the USB is 2.0. It won't be the fastest solution, but would probably be playable.

USB 1.1, however, would be painfully slow.

05-15-2006, 12:17 PM	#1
modena Captain Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: pa Posts: 1,741	External Hard Drive and Gaming I am using a computer at work that is to some degree locked against installation; I am unable to install programs, although I have tried before and was successful a time or two out of maybe a dozen or so tries. Anyway....I was wondering about installing a game on an external hard drive at home, hooking it up by USB at work and playing it on this work computer. Is there any trick to doing that, can it be done, or am I just not going to be able to? The game is World of Warcraft if it makes a difference. Thanks! __________________ WoW - Perenolde - chars: intron, modena Computer - AMD 64 3700+ 939 on NF4 SLi mobo (ZALMAN CNPS 9500), 2 GB DDR466 (2-3-2-5), XFX Geforce 7900GT 256mb (520mhz core, 24 pipes, 1500mhz memory), Western Digital Raptor 74GB Serial ATA HD 10k, 850GB in other HD's, 21in Widescreen LCD

05-15-2006, 12:30 PM	#2
Cheesypuff Vice Admiral Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Cali, but missing Hong Kong and Texas Posts: 4,782	the thing with USB is that...and anybody can correct me if I'm wrong...it's works only in one direction at a time. the information can't go both ways at the same time...the in and out has to take turns. now...if you use firewire, it's bi-directional and is optimal for games because the information can go both ways at the same time. __________________ Life is like toilet paper, long and useful! The stars at night, are big and bright clap 4x deep in the heart of TEXAS!

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05-15-2006, 12:43 PM	#3
modena Captain Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: pa Posts: 1,741	ok well i guess another thing I could do is install it to a hard drive at home, and connect that new hard drive to the computer at work - would that work? Or will the USB method work?

05-15-2006, 01:09 PM	#4
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	It all depends on whether the game needs registry entries to run. If the game makes necessary entries in the registry during installation, then you're hosed - when you run the .exe you'll probably just get errors. However, if the game is self-contained (i.e., all settings are internal to the game directory) then you're good to go. Only way to know for sure is to try it. Oh, also make sure the drive letters are the same on the installation machine & your work machine.

05-15-2006, 01:14 PM	#5
modena Captain Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: pa Posts: 1,741	Jeff, can I use the USB hard drive or should I just put an HD in the computer; Will the USB drive be good enough?

05-15-2006, 01:36 PM	#6
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	Sure, either would work, assuming the USB is 2.0. It won't be the fastest solution, but would probably be playable. USB 1.1, however, would be painfully slow.

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