Drive letters in a XP/ XP64 dual boot?

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I installed XP Pro x64 in a dual with XP Pro x32 on my workstation last
night. The install went pretty well, with the installer having all the
drivers it needed to get a usable system (the printer being the one
exception). Thanks again to every one who responded to my previous posts
about this.

There is one thing though that I have a question about. XP64 was
installed on a second hard drive that was assigned the drive letter "D:"
during the install (as expected). Despite the "D:" designation, I
thought when booted up it would be assigned "C:" (and HD1, where XP32 is
installed, would be given some other letter). At least I believe that's
how it works with a Vista dual boot (based on what I've read). Is this
not the case with XP64 also?

I ask because when installing software most assume you're on"C:" and
suggest default install folders based on that. Since I expect I'll be
using XP64 95% of the time, I'd rather it have "C:" for the convenience.
But it's definitely not worth reinstalling the OS or going through
other major operations to get this. So unless there's some relatively
easy work-around, I'll let it go.

Thanks. -Pat
 
Re: Drive letters in a XP/ XP64 dual boot?

XP doesn't do that remapping of the boot drive to always be C: So you get to
have it be D:. It shouldn't be a problem for sofware installs, since they
got to %ProgramFiles% or %ProgramFiles(x86)%, which will now be pointing to
D: for the XP x64 boot.

--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/xperts64
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel


"Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
news:fYednVCwmaKVPW7anZ2dnUVZ_gudnZ2d@insightbb.com...
>I installed XP Pro x64 in a dual with XP Pro x32 on my workstation last
>night. The install went pretty well, with the installer having all the
>drivers it needed to get a usable system (the printer being the one
>exception). Thanks again to every one who responded to my previous posts
>about this.
>
> There is one thing though that I have a question about. XP64 was
> installed on a second hard drive that was assigned the drive letter "D:"
> during the install (as expected). Despite the "D:" designation, I thought
> when booted up it would be assigned "C:" (and HD1, where XP32 is
> installed, would be given some other letter). At least I believe that's
> how it works with a Vista dual boot (based on what I've read). Is this
> not the case with XP64 also?
>
> I ask because when installing software most assume you're on"C:" and
> suggest default install folders based on that. Since I expect I'll be
> using XP64 95% of the time, I'd rather it have "C:" for the convenience.
> But it's definitely not worth reinstalling the OS or going through other
> major operations to get this. So unless there's some relatively easy
> work-around, I'll let it go.
>
> Thanks. -Pat
 
Re: Drive letters in a XP/ XP64 dual boot?

Nothing to worry about. You'll be fine.

"Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
news:fYednVCwmaKVPW7anZ2dnUVZ_gudnZ2d@insightbb.com...
>I installed XP Pro x64 in a dual with XP Pro x32 on my workstation last
>night. The install went pretty well, with the installer having all the
>drivers it needed to get a usable system (the printer being the one
>exception). Thanks again to every one who responded to my previous posts
>about this.
>
> There is one thing though that I have a question about. XP64 was
> installed on a second hard drive that was assigned the drive letter "D:"
> during the install (as expected). Despite the "D:" designation, I thought
> when booted up it would be assigned "C:" (and HD1, where XP32 is
> installed, would be given some other letter). At least I believe that's
> how it works with a Vista dual boot (based on what I've read). Is this
> not the case with XP64 also?
>
> I ask because when installing software most assume you're on"C:" and
> suggest default install folders based on that. Since I expect I'll be
> using XP64 95% of the time, I'd rather it have "C:" for the convenience.
> But it's definitely not worth reinstalling the OS or going through other
> major operations to get this. So unless there's some relatively easy
> work-around, I'll let it go.
>
> Thanks. -Pat
 
Re: Drive letters in a XP/ XP64 dual boot?

Since the XP Pro x64 setup is a 64bit program, you had no way to run it from
the XP x86 desktop so setup had to use the BIOS enumeration of the drives.
That's not an issue.

"Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
news:E4CdnYnDsMWYK27anZ2dnUVZ_jidnZ2d@insightbb.com...
> Thanks Charlie and Colin for the responses on this.
>
> It's not a big deal, but I thought it was worth asking about in case I had
> missed something during the install.
>
> Pat
 
Re: Drive letters in a XP/ XP64 dual boot?

Thanks Charlie and Colin for the responses on this.

It's not a big deal, but I thought it was worth asking about in case I
had missed something during the install.

Pat
 
Re: Drive letters in a XP/ XP64 dual boot?

Since 64-bit won't run 16-bit products anyway, you should have few if any
problems with installations as Charlie pointed out. The hard coded C pretty
much went out with the 16-bit installers. Early on, nVidia put the install
files on C, but did the install to the proper os letter, but they haven't
done that in a while.

"Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
news:E4CdnYnDsMWYK27anZ2dnUVZ_jidnZ2d@insightbb.com...
> Thanks Charlie and Colin for the responses on this.
>
> It's not a big deal, but I thought it was worth asking about in case I had
> missed something during the install.
>
> Pat
 
Re: Drive letters in a XP/ XP64 dual boot?


"Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
news:fYednVCwmaKVPW7anZ2dnUVZ_gudnZ2d@insightbb.com...
>
Despite the "D:" designation, I
> thought when booted up it would be assigned "C:" (and HD1, where XP32 is
> installed, would be given some other letter). At least I believe that's
> how it works with a Vista dual boot (based on what I've read).


Yes, that's how it works with my installation of Vista and XP (both 64-bit).
Though they are installed on separate physical drives, each OS sees its own
drive as Drive C.
I don't know if that's how ALL dual-boot installations of Vista work, but
that's how mine does.
 
Re: Drive letters in a XP/ XP64 dual boot?

It depends on whether you install Vista from the XP Pro x64 desktop or by
booting the system with the Vista x64 dvd.

"DP" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:eKQ4ZmSlIHA.3512@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>
> "Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:fYednVCwmaKVPW7anZ2dnUVZ_gudnZ2d@insightbb.com...
>>
> Despite the "D:" designation, I
>> thought when booted up it would be assigned "C:" (and HD1, where XP32 is
>> installed, would be given some other letter). At least I believe that's
>> how it works with a Vista dual boot (based on what I've read).
>
>
> Yes, that's how it works with my installation of Vista and XP (both
> 64-bit). Though they are installed on separate physical drives, each OS
> sees its own drive as Drive C.
> I don't know if that's how ALL dual-boot installations of Vista work, but
> that's how mine does.
>
>
 
Re: Drive letters in a XP/ XP64 dual boot?

Which programs?

"Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
news:UdidnaKLeNMQeGnanZ2dnUVZ_tuonZ2d@insightbb.com...
> The only (minor) issue I've had is that some programs (not all) want to
> install on the C: drive. I'm just afraid I'm going to forget to change
> that to D: while install some app (since I normally just accept defaults)
> and inadvertently mess something up. It wouldn't be the end of the world
> if I did, but I'd prefer to avoid that. -Pat
>
> John Barnes wrote:
>> Since 64-bit won't run 16-bit products anyway, you should have few if any
>> problems with installations as Charlie pointed out. The hard coded C
>> pretty much went out with the 16-bit installers. Early on, nVidia put
>> the install files on C, but did the install to the proper os letter, but
>> they haven't done that in a while.
>>
>> "Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:E4CdnYnDsMWYK27anZ2dnUVZ_jidnZ2d@insightbb.com...
>>> Thanks Charlie and Colin for the responses on this.
>>>
>>> It's not a big deal, but I thought it was worth asking about in case I
>>> had missed something during the install.
>>>
>>> Pat
>>
 
Re: Drive letters in a XP/ XP64 dual boot?

The only (minor) issue I've had is that some programs (not all) want to
install on the C: drive. I'm just afraid I'm going to forget to change
that to D: while install some app (since I normally just accept
defaults) and inadvertently mess something up. It wouldn't be the end
of the world if I did, but I'd prefer to avoid that. -Pat

John Barnes wrote:
> Since 64-bit won't run 16-bit products anyway, you should have few if
> any problems with installations as Charlie pointed out. The hard coded
> C pretty much went out with the 16-bit installers. Early on, nVidia put
> the install files on C, but did the install to the proper os letter, but
> they haven't done that in a while.
>
> "Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:E4CdnYnDsMWYK27anZ2dnUVZ_jidnZ2d@insightbb.com...
>> Thanks Charlie and Colin for the responses on this.
>>
>> It's not a big deal, but I thought it was worth asking about in case I
>> had missed something during the install.
>>
>> Pat
>
 
Re: Drive letters in a XP/ XP64 dual boot?

Colin,
Hewlett-Packard software bundled with their printer drivers do it.
Let's say you have your OS in disk D:
Some parts, but not all of them, of the software gets installed to
C:\Program Files thus commiting two atrocities.
#1.- Hard coding "C:" as the drive
#2.- Hard coding "Program Files" as the Program Files folder for EVERY
language. In Spanish it is "Archivos de Programa"
So, it should go to D:\Archivos de Programa and instead it writes to
C:\Program Files
C'mon, HP! You can do better than that.

:)
Carlos

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

> Which programs?
>
> "Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:UdidnaKLeNMQeGnanZ2dnUVZ_tuonZ2d@insightbb.com...
> > The only (minor) issue I've had is that some programs (not all) want to
> > install on the C: drive. I'm just afraid I'm going to forget to change
> > that to D: while install some app (since I normally just accept defaults)
> > and inadvertently mess something up. It wouldn't be the end of the world
> > if I did, but I'd prefer to avoid that. -Pat
> >
> > John Barnes wrote:
> >> Since 64-bit won't run 16-bit products anyway, you should have few if any
> >> problems with installations as Charlie pointed out. The hard coded C
> >> pretty much went out with the 16-bit installers. Early on, nVidia put
> >> the install files on C, but did the install to the proper os letter, but
> >> they haven't done that in a while.
> >>
> >> "Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
> >> news:E4CdnYnDsMWYK27anZ2dnUVZ_jidnZ2d@insightbb.com...
> >>> Thanks Charlie and Colin for the responses on this.
> >>>
> >>> It's not a big deal, but I thought it was worth asking about in case I
> >>> had missed something during the install.
> >>>
> >>> Pat
> >>
>
 
Re: Drive letters in a XP/ XP64 dual boot?

Now don't get me wrong, I _love_ my HP ML350 server, but their software?
Yeah.

In my early days as a UNIX system administrator, we had HP-UX servers and I
was the one responsible for them, and for working with their TS when we had
problems. We had a 4-hour, on site, support contract on everything, even the
printer. So if my printer went out at 3 in the morning on a Sunday... Yeah.
I had the home phone numbers of everyone in my region, since we were a
pretty high profile account. But we had a saying in those days...

"HP - you can buy better, but you can't pay more!"

It wasn't actually true then, and is probably even less so now. But it did
express some of our frustration at times. I still love their servers, and
even some of their printer models. (And heck, I've had this old JetDirectEX
print server for more than 15 years, and it's still just sitting there,
doing its thing.)

--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel


"Carlos" <Carlos@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9E66D12B-C991-49D9-AC5D-995F89ABD944@microsoft.com...
> Colin,
> Hewlett-Packard software bundled with their printer drivers do it.
> Let's say you have your OS in disk D:
> Some parts, but not all of them, of the software gets installed to
> C:\Program Files thus commiting two atrocities.
> #1.- Hard coding "C:" as the drive
> #2.- Hard coding "Program Files" as the Program Files folder for EVERY
> language. In Spanish it is "Archivos de Programa"
> So, it should go to D:\Archivos de Programa and instead it writes to
> C:\Program Files
> C'mon, HP! You can do better than that.
>
> :)
> Carlos
>
> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
>
>> Which programs?
>>
>> "Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:UdidnaKLeNMQeGnanZ2dnUVZ_tuonZ2d@insightbb.com...
>> > The only (minor) issue I've had is that some programs (not all) want to
>> > install on the C: drive. I'm just afraid I'm going to forget to change
>> > that to D: while install some app (since I normally just accept
>> > defaults)
>> > and inadvertently mess something up. It wouldn't be the end of the
>> > world
>> > if I did, but I'd prefer to avoid that. -Pat
>> >
>> > John Barnes wrote:
>> >> Since 64-bit won't run 16-bit products anyway, you should have few if
>> >> any
>> >> problems with installations as Charlie pointed out. The hard coded C
>> >> pretty much went out with the 16-bit installers. Early on, nVidia put
>> >> the install files on C, but did the install to the proper os letter,
>> >> but
>> >> they haven't done that in a while.
>> >>
>> >> "Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:E4CdnYnDsMWYK27anZ2dnUVZ_jidnZ2d@insightbb.com...
>> >>> Thanks Charlie and Colin for the responses on this.
>> >>>
>> >>> It's not a big deal, but I thought it was worth asking about in case
>> >>> I
>> >>> had missed something during the install.
>> >>>
>> >>> Pat
>> >>
>>
 
Re: Drive letters in a XP/ XP64 dual boot?

Carlos wrote:
> Colin,
> Hewlett-Packard software bundled with their printer drivers do it.
> Let's say you have your OS in disk D:
> Some parts, but not all of them, of the software gets installed to
> C:\Program Files thus commiting two atrocities.
> #1.- Hard coding "C:" as the drive
> #2.- Hard coding "Program Files" as the Program Files folder for EVERY
> language. In Spanish it is "Archivos de Programa"
> So, it should go to D:\Archivos de Programa and instead it writes to
> C:\Program Files
> C'mon, HP! You can do better than that.
>
> :)
> Carlos


Yes! That was it for me also. I had downloaded a number of x64 drivers
off of HP's website (my workstation is an HP xw9300). The drivers were
all *.exe files that installed via a wizard. The wizard needed to
create some install folders and wanted to do it on C: drive. I had to
manually edit that choice to get it on D.

But those are the only the cases I've come across so for. All other
applications I've installed have known to put it on the D.

I agree, HP should know better!

Pat


>
> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
>
>> Which programs?
>>
>> "Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:UdidnaKLeNMQeGnanZ2dnUVZ_tuonZ2d@insightbb.com...
>>> The only (minor) issue I've had is that some programs (not all) want to
>>> install on the C: drive. I'm just afraid I'm going to forget to change
>>> that to D: while install some app (since I normally just accept defaults)
>>> and inadvertently mess something up. It wouldn't be the end of the world
>>> if I did, but I'd prefer to avoid that. -Pat
>>>
>>> John Barnes wrote:
>>>> Since 64-bit won't run 16-bit products anyway, you should have few if any
>>>> problems with installations as Charlie pointed out. The hard coded C
>>>> pretty much went out with the 16-bit installers. Early on, nVidia put
>>>> the install files on C, but did the install to the proper os letter, but
>>>> they haven't done that in a while.
>>>>
>>>> "Pat" <pkelecy@_REMOVETHIS_gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:E4CdnYnDsMWYK27anZ2dnUVZ_jidnZ2d@insightbb.com...
>>>>> Thanks Charlie and Colin for the responses on this.
>>>>>
>>>>> It's not a big deal, but I thought it was worth asking about in case I
>>>>> had missed something during the install.
>>>>>
>>>>> Pat
 
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