local vs. network cd-rom

  • Thread starter Thread starter Graeme Whelan
  • Start date Start date
G

Graeme Whelan

I've found several posts that come close, but none are quite what I need.

I have 2 (small HD, no cd-rom) boxes each connected to a 3rd (fast
cd-rom, large HD) box. I want to be able to run software from the
cd-drive on that 3rd box and make either of the other 2 boxes (or both
at the same time if possible) think that it's running from THEIR local
cd-drive.

Questions: how can I make a w2k box see the cd-rom on another box as ITS
OWN local cd-rom drive? I assume there is a pathname of some sort in
the registry to specify where to find the cd-drive - can I point it to
the cd-drive on a remote machine? Do I need to modify the registry on
the machine which has the physical drive installed?

Any help appreciated.
 
In said:
I've found several posts that come close, but none are quite what
I need.

I have 2 (small HD, no cd-rom) boxes each connected to a 3rd (fast
cd-rom, large HD) box. I want to be able to run software from the
cd-drive on that 3rd box and make either of the other 2 boxes (or
both at the same time if possible) think that it's running from
THEIR local cd-drive.

Questions: how can I make a w2k box see the cd-rom on another box
as ITS OWN local cd-rom drive? I assume there is a pathname of
some sort in the registry to specify where to find the cd-drive -
can I point it to the cd-drive on a remote machine? Do I need to
modify the registry on the machine which has the physical drive
installed?
Click to expand...

Not really a registry issue at all. If I understand correctly, it
will depend on the application.

It the application does not object to a "network" or "remote" drive,
then just Share the CD and make a network connction to it from the
other box. It sounds like you have tried this already.

If the application demands a local removable drive only, then it is
probably something to take up with the developer of the application.
I know of no way to change a "network"/"remote" disk resource to
appear as "local removable" to the application.

It might be possible to write a custom "file system filter" if one
was a sharp programmer (pure speculation).

Or, someone else may know of a solution perhaps.
 
It's actually for the kid's software (spelling, counting etc).

Unfortunately taking it up with the software vendor has been met with
either a wall of silence, laughter, or accusations of hacking.

I've heard there is a default "installation path" somewhere in the
registry, which usually points to where software wa installed from, and
another specifying each physical drive by ide channel etc (for the HAL).
I thought there might be something similar for removable drives like
cd-roms.

Anyone else out there know what I'm talking about?
 
In said:
It's actually for the kid's software (spelling, counting etc).

Unfortunately taking it up with the software vendor has been met
with either a wall of silence, laughter, or accusations of
hacking.

I've heard there is a default "installation path" somewhere in the
registry, which usually points to where software wa installed
Click to expand...


That is true for the OS and some components and _may_ be true for an
application as well. You could search the registry (on the original
system) for string "installsource" perhaps...there will be a lot of
them.

But I would think (if such exists) that it more likely was under the
vendor/application entries in HKLM or possibly HKCU which I assume
you have looked for.

OTOH it could be that the app asks the OS for some details and gets
told "remote", which is not acceptable.

I don't think I can help any more than this other than to suggest
that an inexpensive CD-ROM drive could be added to the older system
(s). I do understand why the vendor is suspicious and unhelpful as
they clearly have sold you the right to use their software in a
manner they stipulate no matter if it is inconvenient.
 
Thanks Mark,

I still have some of the kid's software which won't run from a remote
cd-drive, but have been able to re-direct the path in HKLM for 14
software titles so far.

It makes installation a pain in the ***, but at least it runs without
taking up HD space on the secondary boxes.

Do think it might be possible to add a 'pathname' variable (if that's
the correct term) to make the 2ndry boxes think their c-drive and
windows drirectory are located on a remote box?

I just thought if there is a reg key for this, then I won't have to mess
around every time I install software. I could install it on 1 box and
just place a shortcut on each of the other desktops.
Q1. Is this kind of thing possible?
Q2. Would it avoid having to mess around with the HKLM for each software
title?

TIA
-Graeme
 
Back
Top