Installing programs to Other Partitions than C:\

[drdan]

I just wiped and reinstalled a 20GB Maxtor running w2k and created 4 partitions. I used the w2k install disk to create C:\ at 7.9GB and then used Disk Management in w2k to create a 700MB partition for downloaded but not installed programs, a 2.2GB partiton for storing images of the complete running system with all drivers, updates, etc. to start over easily with and the rest in a partition for storage of documents, pictures, temporary internet files etc. I started installing programs and just let them default to C:\, but the last couple I just installed to the storage drive D:\. They seem to run fine from there. I thought I remembered that some programs do not run correctly if not on the primary system partition. Is this correct? Other than keeping track of where to install any updates, are there any issues or problems I need to be aware of with installing programs on a different partition than the OS?

[drdan]

Oh, if you want to know the secrets of exactly why I partitioned the way I did the default answer is..."just because"

[Budfred]

The only problem that I know of is if you install on C: and then try to move to D:. The file associations are set up when you install, so moving a program doesn't work, but I believe you can install most programs anywhere you want them...

[Paul Komski]

If the installation software gives you an option of where to install then there is unlikely to be a problem unless the software is badly written.

Using partitions all over the place can get confusing later but using D is a good idea for a second place for them since it is unlikely that you will create a new partition between C and D and there are none inbetween that can be hidden; all things which lead to remapping.

A non OS partiton is also good for programs that contain data. Placing non-MS browsers and mail clients on D means that if you format C your data is still intact and doesn't have to be repositioned after a clean install. TIFs, cookies and messages etc dont get shunted around. Sometimes the programs themselves have to be reinstalled and one just needs to watch-out if they overwrite the originals in such circumstances.

It may not be logical but I tend to install all microsoft products on the OS partition. I'm sure they would be lonely anywhere else. ;)

[drdan]

Thanks Paul. Two questions. When you said you have to watch out if they overwrite, did you mean it's important they DO or DON'T overwrite the old installation and how would you ensure either one?

The other question is what is remapping? Did you mean it's good that "D" is right after "C" in the alphabet (and naming) or that my D: drive is right after C: physically on the hard drive (it isn't)?

I guess that's actually two "groups" of questions. :)

[Paul Komski]

He He.

Overwriting Many programs have a data component. Links in browsers, configuration settings, scanned images in scanner software, etc. etc. When the reinstallation takes place most programs will recognise this and prompt you for what you want to do if you are reinstalling to the same folder and are given a choice in the matter. Some don't and can just overwrite the whole lot. You get a clean installation but can lose the data components.

If you don't know the program then just change the name of the folder to ****.old before the installation. You can then copy/paste the old contents into the new installation.

Remapping If you have installed a program to partition X then all the links to it and the registry references and so on will go wonky if partition X's drive letter is changed by:- changing partitions from FAT to NTFS, hiding/deleting partitions, splitting/merging partitions and so on. If C is physically adjacent to D then there is just less likelihood of ever needing to remap because, at a later stage, you decide to modify your partition structures.

If partitions 1,2 and 3 are such that 2 is hidden or NTFS and you are using Win9X/ME then, since 2 will be invisible to those OSes, they will "see" 1 and 3 as C and D even though they are not physically adjacent.

;)

[drdan]

Thanks Paul.