Best OS for a removable HDD?

[Wifi_is_evil]

This is probably a bit silly, and I probably won't do it. I do have to consider though, because it might turn out a good idea.

Our school computers have Windows XP with Novell security/administration (way too tight!) on them. Don't get me wrong, its GREAT. I just can't:

- install ANY hardware
- view any folders except my own tiny 100mb one.
- use any browser other than IE

And if I install any program to my folder, it gets removed next time I log in. Also, because I'm the youngest year I'm not allowed to use any programs other than paint, IE, and some other lame programs.

I am pretty sure with Linux I would still have the issue of every web site is blocked except Google web search (no images or any of that other stuff), school email, Wikipedia and a select few other websites. But surely, surely it would be better! Even if I have to sacrifice speed with a usb removable HDD.

I'm not even sure if school computers can boot from a removable HDD, so it is definitely in the preliminary stages of thought.

If I was to install a removable HDD, how would I go about doing it? Any advice? Problem number one is I get a maximum of 45 minutes on these machines at a time, at that would be at the sacrifice of lunch (uhh). Therefore, I'm guessing installing it to my HDD on a machine at home with the same architecture would be the best way to start? It could detect the hardware at school.

My HDD has 232gb of space so there is no limitation of what distribution, but it has to be a fast one because as you probably know, USB HDDs are slow.

I'm really looking to see if anyone has done this, what problems they faced, what OS is the best option, etc.

Thankyou!

[TomX]

You can any page you want through a proxy. Of course, the admin may be trying to block those too.

I doubt you'll be able to boot from USB (or CD, or floppy, in fact). The BIOS is most likely configured to boot from internal HDD (or network, for dummy workstations?).

Even if you did manage to get Linux up, it's not certain that you'd be able to connect to the network.

Anyway, there's a reason the admin does these things. It's to stop people using the machines for reasons not related to their course (note, this doesn't imply it won't stop some people from being able to use the machines for something related to their course).

Unless you're a Free software zealot, I don't see what's wrong with being limited to being able to run IE, Paint, MS Word (presumably), Windows, etc.

[Roxoff]

Just get a laptop. Or stop using the school computers for stuff they're not designed for (thats anything that doesn't involve microsoft paint, btw).

[bigtomrodney]

You'll find plenty of help in installing to an external drive here, but I'm afraid given that your sole aim is to circumvent your school's systems I can't leave this thread open. Much as we don't allow homework questions here we can't help you do something that can only get you into trouble.