I wasn't sure where to post this so if it's in the wrong place just let me know. I would like to run some apps while I'm on the computer at work, but without having to install them on that machine - just run them from the USB drive. I have a OCZ Rally 2 4Gig USB drive. If anyone knows where I can find instructions on how to do this I would appreciate it. Thanks.

I know that some programs will work. For example i have a USB flash drive that has a linux boot on it so if i plug it into the right computer then turn it on it will boot in linux instead of what evers on the computer. I said right computer becase the mobo has to support usb boots. I have ran duke nukem off a flash drive aswell i just installed it on a computer and copied the entire contents of the folder to the flash drive, and then uninstall it off the computer. and just launch it off the exe in the usb drive. Some programs have to be in the windows registry i think becase some don't work. So i think its a hit or mis kind a deal. I have even made it so when i insert the flash drive it autoruns by creating a simple inf file; for making it autorun and even changing the drives icon in my computer.

The programs often need to be modified in a certain way in order to allow them to run from an external drive. There are portable versions of FireFox and other major apps available, and I've seen various Warez homemade portable releases of things like Photoshop.

On my 526 pen drive I have,Deep Burner, PhotoShop 7, Gimp, Fusion media player, MEM Test, ACDSee Pro, should add some more like Open Office, etc..

Check out Portable Apps. A bunch of freeware programs set up already to do exactly what you need.

Dang, you beet me too that one..

Its awesome though.. check it out.

Thanks for the replies everyone. drougnor, I already discovered PortableApps not too long after making this thread (someone from another forum turned me onto it). I installed the program onto my USB drive and then downloaded the programs I needed from their list (Firefox, Thunderbird, etc.). I'm at work right now using the program (via my USB) and it works quite well. The only snag I've encountered so far is I can't figure out how to get my Firefox bookmarks to work in the portable version. I followed their instructions on the PortableApps site
for copying the files and I have them in the right directory, but the bookmarks do not appear.

Oh well, it may not be exactly what I was looking for, but at least I'm satisfied with what I have at the moment.

Quote: Originally Posted by dcloud Thanks for the replies everyone. drougnor, I already discovered PortableApps not too long after making this thread (someone from another forum turned me onto it). I installed the program onto my USB drive and then downloaded the programs I needed from their list (Firefox, Thunderbird, etc.). I'm at work right now using the program (via my USB) and it works quite well. The only snag I've encountered so far is I can't figure out how to get my Firefox bookmarks to work in the portable version. I followed their instructions on the PortableApps site for copying the files and I have them in the right directory, but the bookmarks do not appear. Oh well, it may not be exactly what I was looking for, but at least I'm satisfied with what I have at the moment.

you have to import them with the "organize bookmarks" function from the bookmarks tab

I use Thinstall which captures the installation of an application and then creates a single exe which then allows me to run the program from said exe.

Quote: Easily ‘convert’ a desktop application to a USB application. By packaging with Thinstall, the application has all files, libraries, components, and data that it needs to run, in a single EXE. Avoid host computer modifications. Running a USB application may require registry and file system changes which could alter the stability of the host computer. The Thinstall VOS enables applications to run in a secure sandbox which means no changes to the computer OS - and the USB application runs flawlessly.

check out foxmarks...

that way everything is aways up to snuff...

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2410