Xbox Series X games installed to external SSD expansion card causing console to hard crash...

It sounds like you are experiencing issues with your Xbox Series X when installing or updating games to an external SSD expansion card. You mentioned that the console freezes or hard crashes when you try to install or update games, but only when using the SSD expansion card. When you remove the SSD card, the console works fine. However, when you try to install DLC on the internal hard drive, the console still freezes and shuts off after a few minutes.

This issue could be related to a compatibility problem between the Xbox Series X and the SSD expansion card. It is possible that the card is not fully compatible with the console or that there is an issue with the card itself. You may want to try using a different brand or model of SSD expansion card to see if the issue persists.

Another possibility is that the SSD expansion card may be defective or damaged. If this is the case, you may need to contact the manufacturer or retailer to arrange for a replacement or repair.

In any case, it may be helpful to check for any firmware updates or other software updates for the Xbox Series X or the SSD expansion card to ensure that you are using the most up-to-date and compatible versions. You may also want to try contacting Xbox support for further assistance in resolving the issue.

It sounds like you are experiencing issues with your Xbox Series X when installing or updating games to an external SSD expansion card. You mentioned that the console freezes or hard crashes when you try to install or update games, but only when using the SSD expansion card. When you remove the SSD card, the console works fine. However, when you try to install DLC on the internal hard drive, the console still freezes and shuts off after a few minutes.

This issue could be related to a compatibility problem between the Xbox Series X and the SSD expansion card. It is possible that the card is not fully compatible with the console or that there is an issue with the card itself. You may want to try using a different brand or model of SSD expansion card to see if the issue persists.

Another possibility is that the SSD expansion card may be defective or damaged. If this is the case, you may need to contact the manufacturer or retailer to arrange for a replacement or repair.

In any case, it may be helpful to check for any firmware updates or other software updates for the Xbox Series X or the SSD expansion card to ensure that you are using the most up-to-date and compatible versions. You may also want to try contacting Xbox support for further assistance in resolving the issue.

There is only one model and one manufacturer of the expansion card for the Series consoles. There is no other brand or model to try.

One thing I personally cannot say for certain is if those games loading from the external hard drive will run the same way they would if they were installed straight onto the console...

If you load games on the Series X or S from an external hard drive they will load the same as they do on a regular Xbox One. There won't be any performance issues. Games installed on a external SSD (SATA SSD not the Expansion Card) will load faster then
they would before due to the much faster I/O on the Series X/S.

If you move your games to either the internal storage or the optional Expansion card, you will see significant loading speed improvements. They'll be massive on a game such as Odyssey. Fast traveling in 5 seconds rather than 40 on a regular Xbox One or One
X!

To use the Series X/S 'Quick Resume' on Xbox One or other BC games will require said games to be installed internally or to the Expansion Card. Series X/S games can only be installed on the Internal or Expansion card.

Not really...

Xbox Series X games / upgrades / updates has to be installed onto the Series X internal or expansion card SSD,

You can have Xbox One games on your external hard drive that will get an Series X upgrade but the games will need to be transferred to the Series X and then the Series X upgrade will need to be downloaded onto the Series X SSD,

As an example...

I have Marvel Avengers on my external hard drive that will get the Series X upgrade and I will transfer the game over to the Series X SSD ready to download and update the game to the Series X version when available.

Xbox Series X|S games can only be installed on the console's internal storage or the external Seagate SSD card. Link here. External drives are too slow for those games. The external hard drive can only be used to install backward compatible games (Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One).