3 OSs, 1 program

[lib319]

Hi there,

Should I install 1 program 3 times to the same directory on a triple boot OS system? eg install winamp on win 98 to D:\programs\winamp, then on w2k pro to D:\programs\winamp then on XP pro to D:\programs\winamp.

Or should I have a seperate directory for each OS's install of winamp?

Obviously to save space it would be better to install to 1 directory, but doeds this cause problems?

cheers and thanks

lib

[shanmuga]

What is the partition type you are using for 2k and xp? If its NTFS install the program in win98 and create shortcuts in 2k and xp.If its FAT you can install in any of the os and create shortcuts in other two.

[sleddog]

I'm not familiar with Winamp, but as a general rule, how you install a program for a multiboot system depends on how the program installs and sets itself up. Some considerations:

1. If the program writes entries to the system registry and/or installs files into the Windows directory tree, then you would need to run the installation under each operating system.

2. If the program saves configuration information to files in its own directory (like .ini files) then installing it to the same directory under multiple versions of Windows might cause problems -- depending on what kind of information is saved;

3. If the program doesn't modify the system registry, doesn't install files in the Windows directory tree, and doesn't write configuration files in it's own directory, then you should be able to install it once and simply make shortcuts to the appropriate .exe file in other versions of Windows.

When you install a program, frequently there will be an install.log file in the program directory. This is a plain text file that you can read with Notepad. It'll give a detailed list of what files were installed, and where, as well as a list of registry entries made (if any).

So install the program once, check for an install.log, and look in the program directory to see if it is modifying any files. Once you get an understanding of how the program operates you will be able to determine the best way to run it under multiple OS's.

[lib319]

Originally posted by shanmuga
If its FAT you can install in any of the os and create shortcuts in other two.

is this true?

I know little about how a program installs itself but if, for example; there isn't an entry in the XP registry can XP run a program that has only been installed on W2k (and therefore only with a W2K registry entry)

ps yes all FAT32 and every OS on a different partition

lib

[Paul Komski]

There are no fixed rules in this whole area. Some programs need to be formally reinstalled (eg MSOffice apps) others do not. Many programs will register many components and make registry entries the first time the application's exe is run - even though it was installed from another OS/Partition.

It's a trial and error game but, in general, those applications such as many of the Symantec and Microsoft products, the CD-burning software and DVD players and others that require registration and registration keys and so on and that are deeply embedded in the system will require reinstalling de novo. Most simpler, standalone apps are quite happy to be run from wherever the exe file happens to be sitting.

[shanmuga]

What i meant pertain to winamp,In one of my machines I now have 3 partitions on my hard drive, one is WinME, the second is WinXP PRO and the last is where I keep all my data.I loaded WinAmp in my WinMe partition and changed the installation directory to my data partition. When booting to WinXP I can browse to Winamp.exe on my data partition and run the application with no problems, but I believe with the bigger apps it's not that simple.

Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't, it depends on what the application stores in its install directory. If the application stores state information in its directory that refers to some aspect of the OS it runs on then you will probably have failures when using the application in one location from two OS installations.

So,It depends on the program.Most modern NT applications, when installed, make entries in the system registry. If not registry entries, they will create .ini files, and put these files in locations which are logical to the developers of the software. In order for these applications to runproperly, the registry and *.ini files have to be setup at installation time.Whether an application can be installed into one of the OS's by simply copying the shortcut from the other OS depends upon the application.In most cases, the answer would be no as most bigger programs require a bag of registry entries, so you will have to install them under both O/S's.

You can however, copy and/or use any data you have between WinXP and Win Me provided both are using Fat32 partition.

[lib319]

thanks for all these

I will install everything to the same directory in the program files partition to save on problems :)

cheers

lib

[John0904]

WinAmp3 is not dependent on the registry. As long as the install drive is FAT, only a shortcut is needed on the other operating syatems.

If there is a program that did need registry entries, then it would be ok just to install the program in the same install path as you did in the other OS's. (Just for the registry entries.)

[lib319]

Thanks for all these replies.

I just used Winamp as an example, I want everything installed in the same place so as not to triplicate the space used.

This is a stupid question but, are install files usually modified once a program has been running? I don't want to change things like templates or saved things, (ini files?) when I install again from another OS.

I imagine I shouldn't risk another install from a differen OS just in case?

cheers

lib

[John0904]

Some installs do over write files and others don't. Just depends.
Just in case, install said programs on all OS's before configuring them.

As a note, when uninstalling programs installed on different OS's, uninstalling can be messing as far as the registry is concerned. In which case a 3rd party cleaner like Cleansweep would be best.

And of course that would be best to install on different directories just to keep install records different.