Installing XP on Non-C Drive?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nehmo
  • Start date Start date
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Nehmo

Is it possible to install Windows XP on a drive other than the
system-boot drive, assuming the qualifying media (previous XP
installation) is on that drive?

Let me explain a bit.

I've gone through the routine of re-installing Windows XP Home on the
main system-boot drive, and I'm sure I could do that again. Windows
installs on that drive, of course.
But what I want to do now is fresh-install on a different drive
(currently called H). Then I want to use drive H to be the system-boot
drive, and I'll use what used to be the C drive as additional storage,
and I'll keep Windows on it as a precaution in case of a failure of the
new drive.

On the new drive, currently labeled H, I also want to make a partition
for Linux, and I want the final machine to be dual-boot.

The current H drive is 160 GB.
I have the original XP CD with SP1, and when I do the new install I'll
update to SP2. I understand I can "slipstream" SP2, but I want to keep
things simple.

So, how do I go about doing this?

I know, using Ghost 2003, I can clone what's on C to H (to give it the
necessary qualifying media), and then remove C, and then insert the XP
CD, and then install. If I remember right, there's a point where you can
adjust the partitions.

Anyway, there's plenty of sites describing XP installs. Like this one:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm
But they don't quite cover this situation.

Do I really need to install on the C drive? Can't I continue to run
Windows, and install XP on the H drive, and later make H the main
boot-system (I know the label will then change to C) drive?
 
Nehmo said:
Is it possible to install Windows XP on a drive other than the
system-boot drive, assuming the qualifying media (previous XP
installation) is on that drive?

Let me explain a bit.

I've gone through the routine of re-installing Windows XP Home on the
main system-boot drive, and I'm sure I could do that again. Windows
installs on that drive, of course.
But what I want to do now is fresh-install on a different drive
(currently called H). Then I want to use drive H to be the system-boot
drive, and I'll use what used to be the C drive as additional storage,
and I'll keep Windows on it as a precaution in case of a failure of
the new drive.

On the new drive, currently labeled H, I also want to make a partition
for Linux, and I want the final machine to be dual-boot.

The current H drive is 160 GB.
I have the original XP CD with SP1, and when I do the new install I'll
update to SP2. I understand I can "slipstream" SP2, but I want to keep
things simple.

So, how do I go about doing this?

I know, using Ghost 2003, I can clone what's on C to H (to give it the
necessary qualifying media), and then remove C, and then insert the XP
CD, and then install. If I remember right, there's a point where you
can adjust the partitions.

Anyway, there's plenty of sites describing XP installs. Like this one:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm
But they don't quite cover this situation.

Do I really need to install on the C drive? Can't I continue to run
Windows, and install XP on the H drive, and later make H the main
boot-system (I know the label will then change to C) drive?
Click to expand...

Boot record will be on the system (forst drive) unless you use a boot loader
of some sort - then it will preside on the system (first) drive.
 
Hey Nehmo, I had no problem installing my XP PRO on to an independent
partition. If you have set your BIOS device to CD and watch for the Boot
from CD message at boot time hitting any key will take boot from the CD, at
which time your machine will be taken over by the processes on CD. It will
review your system and at some point ask where you want to install your
operating system with a list of all of your partitions. This is where you
have the opportunity to select any partition that you want. Good luck. . .
Tom J.
 
Nehmo said:
Is it possible to install Windows XP on
a drive other than the system-boot drive,
Click to expand...

Yes, XP allows that fine.
assuming the qualifying media
(previous XP installation) is on that drive?
Click to expand...

That isnt necessary.
Let me explain a bit.
Click to expand...
I've gone through the routine of re-installing Windows XP Home
on the main system-boot drive, and I'm sure I could do that again.
Windows installs on that drive, of course.
Click to expand...
But what I want to do now is fresh-install on a different
drive (currently called H). Then I want to use drive H to
be the system-boot drive, and I'll use what used to be
the C drive as additional storage, and I'll keep Windows
on it as a precaution in case of a failure of the new drive.
Click to expand...

Thats all fine.
On the new drive, currently labeled H, I also want to make a
partition for Linux, and I want the final machine to be dual-boot.
Click to expand...

That's fine too.
The current H drive is 160 GB.
I have the original XP CD with SP1, and when I do
the new install I'll update to SP2. I understand I can
"slipstream" SP2, but I want to keep things simple.
Click to expand...

Its actually simper to slipstream SP2
if the drive is bigger than 127GB
So, how do I go about doing this?
Click to expand...

Just boot the distribution CD and proceed with an install.
Tell it you want to install on H. It will see the earlier install,
just tell it that you dont want to repair that install, just do
a new clean install on the H drive.

I'd personally ignore the linux install initially, install that later and
manually add it to the boot.ini once you have that installed later.

You can use the Files and Settings wizard after booting the original
install to migrate your files and settings to the new install if you like.

You may well need to validate the new XP
install after you have been running it for a while.
I know, using Ghost 2003, I can clone what's on C to
H (to give it the necessary qualifying media), and then
remove C, and then insert the XP CD, and then install.
Click to expand...

No need to go that route, it will find the earlier install on C fine.
If I remember right, there's a point where you can adjust the partitions.
Click to expand...

Yes, thats done very early in the install.
Anyway, there's plenty of sites describing XP installs. Like this one:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm
But they don't quite cover this situation.
Click to expand...

Yeah, its a bit more complicated than the usual install.
Do I really need to install on the C drive?
Nope.

Can't I continue to run Windows, and install XP on
the H drive, and later make H the main boot-system
Click to expand...

XP will actually show you both installs and ask you
which one you want to boot and you can change
the default and the timeout in boot.ini if you like.
(I know the label will then change to C) drive?
Click to expand...

No it wont if you do the install with the
original install on the C drive visible.

If you want the install on the H drive to have the C letter after
you start booting that, you should physically unplug the C drive
before doing the install on what is currently the H drive.

XP doesnt need to see the original install, it will be quite happy
to do a new install with nothing of XP visible. The worst that will
happen in that case is that you will have to validate it again.

If its an upgrade version of XP you'll just have to show it the
distribution CD of what you are upgrading from in theory.
 
Is it possible to install Windows XP on a drive other than the
system-boot drive, assuming the qualifying media (previous XP
installation) is on that drive?
Click to expand...

You can install XP on ANY available drives if there are enough space
for it. Even on a 4GB flash card or thumb drive as modern mobo
supports booting from these drives nowday.

It will however install the boot on C drive which will bring up a menu
of OSes if you have multiple OSes, then boot as normal on whatever
drive you installed at. Many mobo does support booting from other
drives without checking C: drive but not all do.
 
You can install XP on ANY available drives if there are enough
space for it. Even on a 4GB flash card or thumb drive as
modern mobo supports booting from these drives nowday.
Click to expand...
It will however install the boot on C drive which will bring up a menu
of OSes if you have multiple OSes, then boot as normal on whatever
drive you installed at. Many mobo does support booting from other
drives without checking C: drive but not all do.
Click to expand...

There cant be many XP viable motherboards
around that cant boot off other than the C drive.
 
Nehmo wrote...
Is it possible to install Windows XP on a drive other than the
system-boot drive, assuming the qualifying media (previous XP
installation) is on that drive?
Click to expand...

Certainly.

MS has a so called Windows XP Test Framework 1.1.1
which describes a test environment where XP is installed
on a non-C drive.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2842ED69-68C2-468B-B3
24-9A5F6E054070&displaylang=en

Drive File System Size Remark
----- ----------- ---- ------
C: FAT or NTFS 100 MB
D: NTFS ~ 1 GB
E: NTFS 12 GB+ system drive where all XP system files
are installed

F: NTFS or FAT32 2 GB+ a build with a "safe" version of
Win98, Win-ME, NT4.0 SP6, or Win2K
 
Harry said:
Nehmo wrote...

Certainly.

MS has a so called Windows XP Test Framework 1.1.1
which describes a test environment where XP is installed
on a non-C drive.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2842ED69-68C2-468B-B3
24-9A5F6E054070&displaylang=en

Drive File System Size Remark
----- ----------- ---- ------
C: FAT or NTFS 100 MB
D: NTFS ~ 1 GB
E: NTFS 12 GB+ system drive where all XP system files
are installed

F: NTFS or FAT32 2 GB+ a build with a "safe" version of
Win98, Win-ME, NT4.0 SP6, or Win2K
Click to expand...

There's no trick to doing this--my main server and my media center machine
both run off of drive D. A friend of mine has 2K on E and 2K3 on H.
 
Nehmo said:
Is it possible to install Windows XP on a drive other than the
system-boot drive, assuming the qualifying media (previous XP
installation) is on that drive?

Let me explain a bit.

I've gone through the routine of re-installing Windows XP Home on the
main system-boot drive, and I'm sure I could do that again.
Click to expand...
Windows installs on that drive, of course.
Nonsense.

But what I want to do now is fresh-install on a different drive
(currently called H). Then I want to use drive H to be the system-boot
drive, and I'll use what used to be the C drive as additional storage,
and I'll keep Windows on it as a precaution in case of a failure of the
new drive.

On the new drive, currently labeled H, I also want to make a partition
for Linux, and I want the final machine to be dual-boot.

The current H drive is 160 GB.
I have the original XP CD with SP1, and when I do the new install I'll
update to SP2. I understand I can "slipstream" SP2,
Click to expand...
but I want to keep things simple.
Click to expand...

No you don't, obviously.
So, how do I go about doing this?

I know, using Ghost 2003, I can clone what's on C to H (to give it the
necessary qualifying media), and then remove C, and then insert the XP
CD, and then install. If I remember right, there's a point where you can
adjust the partitions.

Anyway, there's plenty of sites describing XP installs. Like this one:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm
But they don't quite cover this situation.
Click to expand...

Because you "want to keep things simple", obviously.
Do I really need to install on the C drive? Can't I continue to run
Windows, and install XP on the H drive, and later make H the main
boot-system
Click to expand...
(I know the label will then change to C) drive?
Click to expand...

Guess again.
 
There cant be many XP viable motherboards
around that cant boot off other than the C drive.
Click to expand...

Check the BIOS for boot priority. Some should have option for
selecting different drives other than C: or CD-ROM

My 3 year old P4 mobo had an option in BIOS to scan for bootable
drives and when that's enabled it checks all USB, firewire, and other
non IDE drives. Only drawback is that it takes a few minutes to boot
that way than it would be to stick with just drive C:
 
Impmon said:
Check the BIOS for boot priority. Some should have option for
selecting different drives other than C: or CD-ROM

My 3 year old P4 mobo had an option in BIOS to scan for bootable
drives and when that's enabled it checks all USB, firewire, and other
non IDE drives. Only drawback is that it takes a few minutes to boot
that way than it would be to stick with just drive C:
Click to expand...

Whatever drive the board boots off of is going to be the C drive--that's the
drive letter that Windows assigns to the boot drive. Doesn't matter if
it's the 14th drive on the third SCSI adapter.
 
Whatever drive the board boots off of is going to be the C drive--
that's the drive letter that Windows assigns to the boot drive.
Doesn't matter if it's the 14th drive on the third SCSI adapter.
Click to expand...

Not always, particularly if its been installed on that drive
with another copy of XP already installed on the C drive.
 
J. Clarke wrote...
Harry wrote:

There's no trick to doing this--my main server and my media center machine
both run off of drive D. A friend of mine has 2K on E and 2K3 on H.
Click to expand...

Many software assume the system drive is on C:.
In order to pass XP logo certication, an XP is set up on drive other than
the C: drive to see if these software can install on it properly.

There is no trick indeed.
 
Harry said:
J. Clarke wrote...

Many software assume the system drive is on C:.
Click to expand...

I keep hearing about this. I've never actually seen it on anything that was
of a quality such that I would be willing to use it.
 
Nehmo said:
Is it possible to install Windows XP on a drive other than the
system-boot drive, assuming the qualifying media (previous XP
installation) is on that drive?

...

Do I really need to install on the C drive? Can't I continue to run
Windows, and install XP on the H drive, and later make H the main
boot-system (I know the label will then change to C) drive?
Click to expand...

There is a cosmetic problem with Windows XP when it is not installed on the
C drive. The folders bar in Windows Explorer does not show any icons. See
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307028. Not sure if
this is fixed in SP2.

Ken.
 
Ken Bosward said:
There is a cosmetic problem with Windows XP when it is not installed on
the C drive. The folders bar in Windows Explorer does not show any icons.
See http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307028. Not
sure if this is fixed in SP2.

Ken.
Click to expand...

Forgot to mention that if you use the workaround suggested in the KB
article, then it causes problems with removable USB drives. We have a
computer at church where Windows XP was installed on the E drive and it has
no C drive. I originally added "subst c: e:\" to startup so the icons would
appear in the folder bar of Windows Explorer, however when you plug in a USB
drive, it takes the first available drive letter which is C, but you can
never see it because it is redirected to E! Changing the assigned drive
letter in Disk Manager only works whilever you plug in the same USB drive.
As soon as someone else comes along and plugs in a different USB drive it
resets the assigned drive back to C. In the end we had to remove the "subst"
command and put up with missing folder icons. One day we should get around
to reinstalling XP on the C drive ...

Ken.
 
J. Clarke said:
Whatever drive the board boots off of is going to be the C drive--that's the
drive letter that Windows assigns to the boot drive. Doesn't matter if
it's the 14th drive on the third SCSI adapter.
Click to expand...


Not so, John.

If you have a partition (or drive) already set up (for example, a
Windows 2000 installation) then a further installation of (eg) Windows
XP will boot up on D: and D: will be your OS drive for Windows XP.

I *think* this happens even if a first partition (or drive) has already
been set up and formatted; subsequent Windows installations will see
that partition/drive as C: and will install to D:

I'm positive about the first (most of my systems have dual-boot in some
form or other) and the second second is from memory.


Odie
 
I keep hearing about this. I've never actually seen it on anything that was
of a quality such that I would be willing to use it.
Click to expand...


Not sure if its a system drive issue but certainly Adobe Photshop
elements V2 throws a complete fit if you install to any other drive
but C: it will install but any updates add ons ect seem to get really
confused
 
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