New XP Drive Letter F:, I want it on C:
Please forgive if already asked & answered, and point me to solutions.
I have a cranky, clunky XP SP3 OS (call it XPOld), on Drive C: in a PC which, under this OS, looks like:
Disk 1:
C: (OpSwapApps), Pri, Act NTFS
D: (Data) NTFS
Disk 2 & 3: Backup & Spare HDs, details irrelevant for purposes of this post
Then, I have a new, faster HD:
Disk 4:
M: (XPNew&Apps), Pri, Act NTFS
N: (NewEff) NTFS
O: (NewESS) NTFS
P: (Pvt&Sware) NTFS
I changed the BIOS Boot Order to install XPNew on to the partition recognised as M: in the above, and XP installed fine. I thought. On rebooting to XPnew, Windows still saw the XPOld C: drive (OpSwapApps), but XPNew appeared on F:, which was how XPNew saw the M: partition in the XPOld configuration.
My desired endstate is to have an XPNew which looks like XPOld, with similar shortcuts, folder structures, scheduling, etc, and in the interim, I hope to use XPOld until I get XPNew running to satisfaction.
However, I worry about the drive lettering, and wish to have XPNew install itself on to the XPNew&Apps partition, and when it is running, to see itself as being installed on its own drive C:.
I have the demo versions of Disk Director Suite and OS Selector, and would like to clear up this problem during the demo period (I have no problem buying it afterward, if it can solve this lettering problem first, as it will take a month or so to get XPNew just right.)
I am also prepared to delete & reinstall XPNew, if that's what it takes. If further info is needed, please just ask.
Grateful for help, and TIA
Jimmy
In my opinion, the easiest method is to just reinstall XP. Trying to change the OS drive letter after an install is more trouble than it's worth.
When you install it, make sure that the new XP partition is set Active. In addition, either disconnect the other XP drive or hide the partition (using DD). [I would disconnect the drive to keep it simple.] Basically, you want the new installation to only see the new partition and nothing of the old one. This will allow it to assign C: to its partition. Once the install has finished, you can reconnect or unhide, as necessary. OSS should detect the new XP installation.
Thank you for your speedy, and intuitively sensible advice. Permit me to comment on specifics:
In my opinion, the easiest method is to just reinstall XP. Trying to change the OS drive letter after an install is more trouble than it's worth.
Other info I've tracked down would tend to confirm. M$ has a KB (223188) which specifically advises against this, even tho' others may differ. This approach (Regedt32.exe. HKLM\SYSTEM\MountedDevices, Regedit.exe) looks altogether too scary, IMO.
When you install it, make sure that the new XP partition is set Active. In addition, either disconnect the other XP drive or hide the partition (using DD). [I would disconnect the drive to keep it simple.]
I plan to a) physically disconnect Disk 1, b) set the BIOS boot order to i) DVD, ii) Disk 4, c) reinstall to the M: (XPNew&Apps) partition, which is already set Active.
Basically, you want the new installation to only see the new partition and nothing of the old one. This will allow it to assign C: to its partition. Once the install has finished, you can reconnect or unhide, as necessary. OSS should detect the new XP installation.
You have nailed the objective on the head, thanx. I will report on progress, good news and bad news.
Jimmy