Drive letter problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Slartibartfast
  • Start date Start date
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Slartibartfast

After a hard disk disaster last week, I decided it was really time to come
to grips with XP after several years using 98(SE).

I spent a rather fraught day yesterday loading Windows and all my other
applications onto a brand new Drive. I have lots of questions, but will try
to sort some of them out before posting them here. However there is one
which I can't solve. After Windows Setup formatted the new drive and
installed the software, I found that it had allocated Drive letters as
follows:

C: Internal Zip Drive
D: DVD player
E: CD Burner
F: Hard Drive

As far as I can remember I wasn't asked about this at any stage of the
installation, and although I can live with it, after 10 years or so of
having my Hard Drive on C, I'd like to get it back. According to Windows
Help, I can't change it, but I'm wondering whether in fact it might be
possible.

TIA
 
Drive Letters Change Unexpectedly When You Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326683&Product=winxp

You'll have to physically disconnect whatever drive is shown as the current C: drive,
perform a "clean install", then reconnect that drive.

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

7. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| After a hard disk disaster last week, I decided it was really time to come
| to grips with XP after several years using 98(SE).
|
| I spent a rather fraught day yesterday loading Windows and all my other
| applications onto a brand new Drive. I have lots of questions, but will try
| to sort some of them out before posting them here. However there is one
| which I can't solve. After Windows Setup formatted the new drive and
| installed the software, I found that it had allocated Drive letters as
| follows:
|
| C: Internal Zip Drive
| D: DVD player
| E: CD Burner
| F: Hard Drive
|
| As far as I can remember I wasn't asked about this at any stage of the
| installation, and although I can live with it, after 10 years or so of
| having my Hard Drive on C, I'd like to get it back. According to Windows
| Help, I can't change it, but I'm wondering whether in fact it might be
| possible.
|
| TIA
|
| --
| Slartibartfast
| To reply by email, remove the FJORDS from my address
|
|
 
Carey Frisch said:
Drive Letters Change Unexpectedly When You Install Windows XP
Click to expand...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326683&Product=winxp

<SNIP>

Thanks Carey.

I guess I should have gone back and followed your suggestions as soon as I
noticed a problem.

Unfortunately I've spent so long installing and tweaking programs that I
don't really feel like starting all over again - just yet. Am I correct in
assuming there are no disadvantages to keeping the Drive as "F"?
 
Am I correct in
assuming there are no disadvantages to keeping the Drive as "F"?
Click to expand...

You might notice icons missing in Explorer once in a while and may run into
trouble with apps that are hardcoded for C:\<whatever>. Otherwise, XP and
most programs will work fine.
 
Slartibartfast said:
C: Internal Zip Drive
D: DVD player
E: CD Burner
F: Hard Drive

As far as I can remember I wasn't asked about this at any stage of the
installation, and although I can live with it, after 10 years or so of
having my Hard Drive on C, I'd like to get it back. According to Windows
Help, I can't change it, but I'm wondering whether in fact it might be
possible.
Click to expand...

This happens if a ZIP drive is present at setup. There are two courses:
one is to live with it (there is nothing sacrosanct bout the letter C -
but it is inconvenient). the other is to reformat and start over, with
the ZIP drive disconnected until setup is done
 
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