I'd like to repair a laptop's xp boot but while it is in an external adapter connected to a separate desktop. Are there methods or utils just for this?

You can't repair xp under those circumstances. You need to do it with the drive in the laptop. This is due to drivers and hardware support. What exactly is wrong with the boot? Example of Oxymoron: Person who is pro life and anti sex education. Education is key to prevention. Prevent conception you prevent abortion. Abstinence training clearly isn't working.

Utilities (applications and programs) are designed to repair boot functions from an installed system and not from slaved drives or partitions other than the boot drive! There are many types of adapters that will allow you to slave any drive. In some cases it is done internally but mostly externally through USB connections. You must use an adapter that will supply it's own power source. And the adapter must be able to connect to the drive you wish to slave.... If you have a SATA drive in your laptop you must find a laptop sata connector as they are smaller than a regular sata connection. I use this guy as it will allow multiple different types of connections and has a 115V AC to 12V DC power adapter as well. IT does not have a case to hold the drives so you must be careful on shorting the PCboard on the drive http://3btech.net/de3sausb20ex.html In reference to 11/05/2008 "So this is how liberty dies. With thunderous applause." - George Lucas