iMac 20" a1224 failing HD, can I boot and run it with an external drive?

[Giuanniello]

I checked the instructions to swap the hard drive and too much hassle, I thought I would dedicate this old iMac I got off a friend as a file storage/server/download but not worth all the time to disassemble, what about booting with an USB key before I think of what to do with it, probably trashing...?

Grazie

 

[headlessmike]

It'll be slow, but it'll work.

 

[Amethyst1]

Use an external FireWire 800 drive if possible - USB 2.0 is too slow, especially a pendrive (key).

 

[Giuanniello]

Use an external FireWire 800 drive if possible - USB 2.0 is too slow, especially a pendrive (key).

I will try that way, thanks