Xp License + Dual Boot on External HD

[Thelemech]

I had a Dell with XP pro installed that I replaced with Ubuntu - but I miss my games and would also like to use my Office 2003 Pro. Can I install XP again on this machine - either using an external HD or by adding an extra drive - onto those drives - or must I dual boot from the original HD that XP was previously installed on to stay within my OEM license?
How much trouble should I expect from attempting to install to the external drive - the computer is 1 1/2 years old and the Ext. Drive is brand new? I know Ms does not officially support Xp installs using external or thumb drives but I have seen some ways discussed online (2004) that seem relatively painless.

[GrayFox]

You will have less problems installing office 2003 under wine (its quite simple).

Juts install dcom98, internet explorer (5.5) and microsofts installer (msi) update, in that order. Almost any microsoft program will work after that

[Thelemech]

What about the games - ?

Performance wise I mean.

[GrayFox]

What about the games - ?

Performance wise I mean.

If you need games the external drive is the way to go.

Wine preforms fine for gaming for nvidia users ... but its not exactly windows getting games to work is not only more trouble then its worth most of the time, but any game that needs direct X 9 or higher won't run.

Wine doesn't fully support all of the direct X 9 features yet.