Guest Ken Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Hard drive crashed, took out the old one and replaced with a new one which is configured, as the old one, "cable select". Loaded XP Home via backup CD, but for some reason the new (boot) drive is "H", not "C", and there is no "C" drive per Windows Explorer. Will this be a problem, and if so, how can I get the boot drive to be "C"? The Disk Management tool won't let me change it, of course. Thanks in advance for your help. -- Ken
Guest Rich Barry Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: Is boot drive letter significant? Ken, I have never had a problem with my boot drives being other than C:\. That said, I know there will be more knowledgable input from other Poster's shortly. "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:F14C56F4-6CAA-49D4-B20B-20A012EFD518@microsoft.com... > Hard drive crashed, took out the old one and replaced with a new one which > is > configured, as the old one, "cable select". Loaded XP Home via backup CD, > but for some reason the new (boot) drive is "H", not "C", and there is no > "C" > drive per Windows Explorer. Will this be a problem, and if so, how can I > get > the boot drive to be "C"? The Disk Management tool won't let me change > it, > of course. Thanks in advance for your help. > -- > Ken
Guest Dave B. Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: Is boot drive letter significant? What do you mean by "backup cd"? The results you see usually happen when you install XP on a machine that has an onboard USB memory card reader. In theory having the system dive as H won't cause any problems, but there is poorly coded software out there that can have problems with it. I would suggest, rather than having a bigger problem to deal with down the road, that you format and install XP again, but unplug the memory card reader from the motherboard before you do. -- ---- Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:F14C56F4-6CAA-49D4-B20B-20A012EFD518@microsoft.com... > Hard drive crashed, took out the old one and replaced with a new one which > is > configured, as the old one, "cable select". Loaded XP Home via backup CD, > but for some reason the new (boot) drive is "H", not "C", and there is no > "C" > drive per Windows Explorer. Will this be a problem, and if so, how can I > get > the boot drive to be "C"? The Disk Management tool won't let me change > it, > of course. Thanks in advance for your help. > -- > Ken
Guest Ken Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: Is boot drive letter significant? Thanks for replies so far. When I used the backup CD (literally, the Reinstallation CD provided by Dell with the machine), I had two card readers plugged in, which wound up being labelled drives D: and E:. The box also has a DVD burner and a CD-ROM, which wound up being labelled drives F: and G:. I am not aware of an onboard card reader, but I will look all over, unplug everything like that, then reinstall XP. Come to think of it, the printer has a card reader on it, and the printer is plugged in. Wonder if that is the culprit??? We'll see... And, thanks again. -- Ken "Dave B." wrote: > What do you mean by "backup cd"? > The results you see usually happen when you install XP on a machine that has > an onboard USB memory card reader. In theory having the system dive as H > won't cause any problems, but there is poorly coded software out there that > can have problems with it. I would suggest, rather than having a bigger > problem to deal with down the road, that you format and install XP again, > but unplug the memory card reader from the motherboard before you do. > > -- > ---- > Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm > How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 > How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:F14C56F4-6CAA-49D4-B20B-20A012EFD518@microsoft.com... > > Hard drive crashed, took out the old one and replaced with a new one which > > is > > configured, as the old one, "cable select". Loaded XP Home via backup CD, > > but for some reason the new (boot) drive is "H", not "C", and there is no > > "C" > > drive per Windows Explorer. Will this be a problem, and if so, how can I > > get > > the boot drive to be "C"? The Disk Management tool won't let me change > > it, > > of course. Thanks in advance for your help. > > -- > > Ken > > >
Guest Dave B. Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: Is boot drive letter significant? I shouldn't have used the term "onboard", external readers have the same effect. Unplug all readers and USB devices and reinstall, that should get your system drive back to C. -- ---- Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:CEBD5DD3-58E4-484B-BE12-FF8BAACF55B0@microsoft.com... > Thanks for replies so far. When I used the backup CD (literally, the > Reinstallation CD provided by Dell with the machine), I had two card > readers > plugged in, which wound up being labelled drives D: and E:. The box also > has > a DVD burner and a CD-ROM, which wound up being labelled drives F: and G:. > I > am not aware of an onboard card reader, but I will look all over, unplug > everything like that, then reinstall XP. Come to think of it, the printer > has a card reader on it, and the printer is plugged in. Wonder if that is > the culprit??? We'll see... And, thanks again. > -- > Ken > > > "Dave B." wrote: > >> What do you mean by "backup cd"? >> The results you see usually happen when you install XP on a machine that >> has >> an onboard USB memory card reader. In theory having the system dive as H >> won't cause any problems, but there is poorly coded software out there >> that >> can have problems with it. I would suggest, rather than having a bigger >> problem to deal with down the road, that you format and install XP again, >> but unplug the memory card reader from the motherboard before you do. >> >> -- >> ---- >> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm >> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 >> How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:F14C56F4-6CAA-49D4-B20B-20A012EFD518@microsoft.com... >> > Hard drive crashed, took out the old one and replaced with a new one >> > which >> > is >> > configured, as the old one, "cable select". Loaded XP Home via backup >> > CD, >> > but for some reason the new (boot) drive is "H", not "C", and there is >> > no >> > "C" >> > drive per Windows Explorer. Will this be a problem, and if so, how can >> > I >> > get >> > the boot drive to be "C"? The Disk Management tool won't let me change >> > it, >> > of course. Thanks in advance for your help. >> > -- >> > Ken >> >> >>
Guest Jim Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: Is boot drive letter significant? "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:CEBD5DD3-58E4-484B-BE12-FF8BAACF55B0@microsoft.com... > Thanks for replies so far. When I used the backup CD (literally, the > Reinstallation CD provided by Dell with the machine), I had two card > readers > plugged in, which wound up being labelled drives D: and E:. The box also > has > a DVD burner and a CD-ROM, which wound up being labelled drives F: and G:. > I > am not aware of an onboard card reader, but I will look all over, unplug > everything like that, then reinstall XP. Come to think of it, the printer > has a card reader on it, and the printer is plugged in. Wonder if that is > the culprit??? We'll see... And, thanks again. > -- > Ken > > > "Dave B." wrote: > >> What do you mean by "backup cd"? >> The results you see usually happen when you install XP on a machine that >> has >> an onboard USB memory card reader. In theory having the system dive as H >> won't cause any problems, but there is poorly coded software out there >> that >> can have problems with it. I would suggest, rather than having a bigger >> problem to deal with down the road, that you format and install XP again, >> but unplug the memory card reader from the motherboard before you do. >> >> -- >> ---- >> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm >> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 >> How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:F14C56F4-6CAA-49D4-B20B-20A012EFD518@microsoft.com... >> > Hard drive crashed, took out the old one and replaced with a new one >> > which >> > is >> > configured, as the old one, "cable select". Loaded XP Home via backup >> > CD, >> > but for some reason the new (boot) drive is "H", not "C", and there is >> > no >> > "C" >> > drive per Windows Explorer. Will this be a problem, and if so, how can >> > I >> > get >> > the boot drive to be "C"? The Disk Management tool won't let me change >> > it, >> > of course. Thanks in advance for your help. >> > -- >> > Ken >> >> >> Ken: Unplug all devices not needed for the install. You only need a keyboard, mouse, monitor, processor, and CD drive. Unplug everything else unless you really do like doing the install over and over and over. Jim
Guest Ken Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: Is boot drive letter significant? Do Dah! Thanks to your advice, unplugged the printer, goofed with trying to reformat the drive I was using (is that like changing a tire while the car is rolling?), finally got that done and reloaded XP, and the drive letters are what I want. Can't thank you enough. -- Ken "Dave B." wrote: > I shouldn't have used the term "onboard", external readers have the same > effect. Unplug all readers and USB devices and reinstall, that should get > your system drive back to C. > > -- > ---- > Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm > How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 > How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:CEBD5DD3-58E4-484B-BE12-FF8BAACF55B0@microsoft.com... > > Thanks for replies so far. When I used the backup CD (literally, the > > Reinstallation CD provided by Dell with the machine), I had two card > > readers > > plugged in, which wound up being labelled drives D: and E:. The box also > > has > > a DVD burner and a CD-ROM, which wound up being labelled drives F: and G:. > > I > > am not aware of an onboard card reader, but I will look all over, unplug > > everything like that, then reinstall XP. Come to think of it, the printer > > has a card reader on it, and the printer is plugged in. Wonder if that is > > the culprit??? We'll see... And, thanks again. > > -- > > Ken > > > > > > "Dave B." wrote: > > > >> What do you mean by "backup cd"? > >> The results you see usually happen when you install XP on a machine that > >> has > >> an onboard USB memory card reader. In theory having the system dive as H > >> won't cause any problems, but there is poorly coded software out there > >> that > >> can have problems with it. I would suggest, rather than having a bigger > >> problem to deal with down the road, that you format and install XP again, > >> but unplug the memory card reader from the motherboard before you do. > >> > >> -- > >> ---- > >> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm > >> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 > >> How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm > >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >> "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> news:F14C56F4-6CAA-49D4-B20B-20A012EFD518@microsoft.com... > >> > Hard drive crashed, took out the old one and replaced with a new one > >> > which > >> > is > >> > configured, as the old one, "cable select". Loaded XP Home via backup > >> > CD, > >> > but for some reason the new (boot) drive is "H", not "C", and there is > >> > no > >> > "C" > >> > drive per Windows Explorer. Will this be a problem, and if so, how can > >> > I > >> > get > >> > the boot drive to be "C"? The Disk Management tool won't let me change > >> > it, > >> > of course. Thanks in advance for your help. > >> > -- > >> > Ken > >> > >> > >> > > >
Guest Dave B. Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: Is boot drive letter significant? Your welcome, glad you got it straightened out. -- ---- Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:7ED823A9-2D9B-4FF8-AD2F-63EDB1248DCC@microsoft.com... > Do Dah! Thanks to your advice, unplugged the printer, goofed with trying > to > reformat the drive I was using (is that like changing a tire while the car > is > rolling?), finally got that done and reloaded XP, and the drive letters > are > what I want. Can't thank you enough. > -- > Ken > > > "Dave B." wrote: > >> I shouldn't have used the term "onboard", external readers have the same >> effect. Unplug all readers and USB devices and reinstall, that should get >> your system drive back to C. >> >> -- >> ---- >> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm >> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 >> How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:CEBD5DD3-58E4-484B-BE12-FF8BAACF55B0@microsoft.com... >> > Thanks for replies so far. When I used the backup CD (literally, the >> > Reinstallation CD provided by Dell with the machine), I had two card >> > readers >> > plugged in, which wound up being labelled drives D: and E:. The box >> > also >> > has >> > a DVD burner and a CD-ROM, which wound up being labelled drives F: and >> > G:. >> > I >> > am not aware of an onboard card reader, but I will look all over, >> > unplug >> > everything like that, then reinstall XP. Come to think of it, the >> > printer >> > has a card reader on it, and the printer is plugged in. Wonder if that >> > is >> > the culprit??? We'll see... And, thanks again. >> > -- >> > Ken >> > >> > >> > "Dave B." wrote: >> > >> >> What do you mean by "backup cd"? >> >> The results you see usually happen when you install XP on a machine >> >> that >> >> has >> >> an onboard USB memory card reader. In theory having the system dive as >> >> H >> >> won't cause any problems, but there is poorly coded software out there >> >> that >> >> can have problems with it. I would suggest, rather than having a >> >> bigger >> >> problem to deal with down the road, that you format and install XP >> >> again, >> >> but unplug the memory card reader from the motherboard before you do. >> >> >> >> -- >> >> ---- >> >> Crosspost, do not multipost >> >> http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm >> >> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 >> >> How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> >> news:F14C56F4-6CAA-49D4-B20B-20A012EFD518@microsoft.com... >> >> > Hard drive crashed, took out the old one and replaced with a new one >> >> > which >> >> > is >> >> > configured, as the old one, "cable select". Loaded XP Home via >> >> > backup >> >> > CD, >> >> > but for some reason the new (boot) drive is "H", not "C", and there >> >> > is >> >> > no >> >> > "C" >> >> > drive per Windows Explorer. Will this be a problem, and if so, how >> >> > can >> >> > I >> >> > get >> >> > the boot drive to be "C"? The Disk Management tool won't let me >> >> > change >> >> > it, >> >> > of course. Thanks in advance for your help. >> >> > -- >> >> > Ken >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: Is boot drive letter significant? That was quick! Only ten minutes from Dave's advice to a successful install. What's your secret? -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:7ED823A9-2D9B-4FF8-AD2F-63EDB1248DCC@microsoft.com... > Do Dah! Thanks to your advice, unplugged the printer, goofed with trying > to > reformat the drive I was using (is that like changing a tire while the car > is > rolling?), finally got that done and reloaded XP, and the drive letters > are > what I want. Can't thank you enough. > -- > Ken > > > "Dave B." wrote: > >> I shouldn't have used the term "onboard", external readers have the same >> effect. Unplug all readers and USB devices and reinstall, that should get >> your system drive back to C. >> >> -- >> ---- >> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm >> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 >> How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:CEBD5DD3-58E4-484B-BE12-FF8BAACF55B0@microsoft.com... >> > Thanks for replies so far. When I used the backup CD (literally, the >> > Reinstallation CD provided by Dell with the machine), I had two card >> > readers >> > plugged in, which wound up being labelled drives D: and E:. The box >> > also >> > has >> > a DVD burner and a CD-ROM, which wound up being labelled drives F: and >> > G:. >> > I >> > am not aware of an onboard card reader, but I will look all over, >> > unplug >> > everything like that, then reinstall XP. Come to think of it, the >> > printer >> > has a card reader on it, and the printer is plugged in. Wonder if that >> > is >> > the culprit??? We'll see... And, thanks again. >> > -- >> > Ken >> > >> > >> > "Dave B." wrote: >> > >> >> What do you mean by "backup cd"? >> >> The results you see usually happen when you install XP on a machine >> >> that >> >> has >> >> an onboard USB memory card reader. In theory having the system dive as >> >> H >> >> won't cause any problems, but there is poorly coded software out there >> >> that >> >> can have problems with it. I would suggest, rather than having a >> >> bigger >> >> problem to deal with down the road, that you format and install XP >> >> again, >> >> but unplug the memory card reader from the motherboard before you do. >> >> >> >> -- >> >> ---- >> >> Crosspost, do not multipost >> >> http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm >> >> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 >> >> How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> >> news:F14C56F4-6CAA-49D4-B20B-20A012EFD518@microsoft.com... >> >> > Hard drive crashed, took out the old one and replaced with a new one >> >> > which >> >> > is >> >> > configured, as the old one, "cable select". Loaded XP Home via >> >> > backup >> >> > CD, >> >> > but for some reason the new (boot) drive is "H", not "C", and there >> >> > is >> >> > no >> >> > "C" >> >> > drive per Windows Explorer. Will this be a problem, and if so, how >> >> > can >> >> > I >> >> > get >> >> > the boot drive to be "C"? The Disk Management tool won't let me >> >> > change >> >> > it, >> >> > of course. Thanks in advance for your help. >> >> > -- >> >> > Ken >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
Guest Ken Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: Is boot drive letter significant? I'd say the secret is a combination of great advice and some dumb luck. And, I've got plenty of the 'dumb' part. Even though I tell others to back up, I didn't, so now I'm trying the freezer trick on my old HD to see if I can salvage some stuff on it. -- Ken "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > That was quick! Only ten minutes from Dave's advice to a successful install. > What's your secret? > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:7ED823A9-2D9B-4FF8-AD2F-63EDB1248DCC@microsoft.com... > > Do Dah! Thanks to your advice, unplugged the printer, goofed with trying > > to > > reformat the drive I was using (is that like changing a tire while the car > > is > > rolling?), finally got that done and reloaded XP, and the drive letters > > are > > what I want. Can't thank you enough. > > -- > > Ken > > > > > > "Dave B." wrote: > > > >> I shouldn't have used the term "onboard", external readers have the same > >> effect. Unplug all readers and USB devices and reinstall, that should get > >> your system drive back to C. > >> > >> -- > >> ---- > >> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm > >> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 > >> How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm > >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >> "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> news:CEBD5DD3-58E4-484B-BE12-FF8BAACF55B0@microsoft.com... > >> > Thanks for replies so far. When I used the backup CD (literally, the > >> > Reinstallation CD provided by Dell with the machine), I had two card > >> > readers > >> > plugged in, which wound up being labelled drives D: and E:. The box > >> > also > >> > has > >> > a DVD burner and a CD-ROM, which wound up being labelled drives F: and > >> > G:. > >> > I > >> > am not aware of an onboard card reader, but I will look all over, > >> > unplug > >> > everything like that, then reinstall XP. Come to think of it, the > >> > printer > >> > has a card reader on it, and the printer is plugged in. Wonder if that > >> > is > >> > the culprit??? We'll see... And, thanks again. > >> > -- > >> > Ken > >> > > >> > > >> > "Dave B." wrote: > >> > > >> >> What do you mean by "backup cd"? > >> >> The results you see usually happen when you install XP on a machine > >> >> that > >> >> has > >> >> an onboard USB memory card reader. In theory having the system dive as > >> >> H > >> >> won't cause any problems, but there is poorly coded software out there > >> >> that > >> >> can have problems with it. I would suggest, rather than having a > >> >> bigger > >> >> problem to deal with down the road, that you format and install XP > >> >> again, > >> >> but unplug the memory card reader from the motherboard before you do. > >> >> > >> >> -- > >> >> ---- > >> >> Crosspost, do not multipost > >> >> http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm > >> >> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 > >> >> How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm > >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >> >> "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> >> news:F14C56F4-6CAA-49D4-B20B-20A012EFD518@microsoft.com... > >> >> > Hard drive crashed, took out the old one and replaced with a new one > >> >> > which > >> >> > is > >> >> > configured, as the old one, "cable select". Loaded XP Home via > >> >> > backup > >> >> > CD, > >> >> > but for some reason the new (boot) drive is "H", not "C", and there > >> >> > is > >> >> > no > >> >> > "C" > >> >> > drive per Windows Explorer. Will this be a problem, and if so, how > >> >> > can > >> >> > I > >> >> > get > >> >> > the boot drive to be "C"? The Disk Management tool won't let me > >> >> > change > >> >> > it, > >> >> > of course. Thanks in advance for your help. > >> >> > -- > >> >> > Ken > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> > >> > >> > > >
Guest Ken Blake Posted August 22, 2007 Posted August 22, 2007 Re: Is boot drive letter significant? "Rich Barry" <rbarry@socal.rr.com> wrote in message news:46cb26ca$0$16525$4c368faf@roadrunner.com... > Ken, I have never had a problem with my boot drives being other than C:\. > That said, I know there will be more knowledgable > input from other Poster's shortly. My experience is like yours. My boot drive is F: and there has never been a problem resulting from it. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup > "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:F14C56F4-6CAA-49D4-B20B-20A012EFD518@microsoft.com... >> Hard drive crashed, took out the old one and replaced with a new one >> which is >> configured, as the old one, "cable select". Loaded XP Home via backup >> CD, >> but for some reason the new (boot) drive is "H", not "C", and there is no >> "C" >> drive per Windows Explorer. Will this be a problem, and if so, how can I >> get >> the boot drive to be "C"? The Disk Management tool won't let me change >> it, >> of course. Thanks in advance for your help. >> -- >> Ken > >
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