Changing the default install directory - Question

[Dayton]

I know you can change it in the registry from C: to what ever you want, but then how do you deal with it messing up your Outlook express and other app whose default install directories are C:? Further more how do you fix the Outlook Express problem?

I have tried changing the path in the properties but Outlook express still gives me the 0x800700E,126 error message.

I hate how programs like AIM and such install to your C: drive w/o giving you the choice.

Thank you!

[djnes]

Are you referring to the install path for Windows, or for 3rd party apps?

Outlook Express is built into Windows, do it goes on the drive Windows is install to.

Applications like AIM, etc allow you to choose a different drive or path to install to. However, as discussed in several recent threads, there's no reason to do so.

[Dayton]

Are you referring to the install path for Windows, or for 3rd party apps?

Outlook Express is built into Windows, do it goes on the drive Windows is install to.

Applications like AIM, etc allow you to choose a different drive or path to install to. However, as discussed in several recent threads, there's no reason to do so.

I am referring to the install path for windows which is C: by default. AIM in fact does NOT give you the option of choosing another drive - it install automatically to C:. I think there is a reason to do it as well - if nothing mre than for personal preference and the fact that I like to keep my OS partition as free from non-OS related apps as possible.

After you go into the Regedit to change the default install directory (which is C: ) to in my case D:. OE all of a sudden comes up with the error msg I posted above and reufuse to work. :mad:

[djnes]

Okay, let's start from the top. AIM absolutely let's you choose the path to install it to. I personally use Trillian, but my fiancee uses AIM, and I just installed it on her laptop and her desktop.

If this is your own PC and you want to spread out your apps away from the OS, be my guest...it's your PC. There's no beneficial reason to do so, but if it's your own PC, you're not hurting anything. If you're ever going to start using Ghost or some other imaging software as a back up, you'll soon learn why it makes much more sense to have your OS and apps on one drive, and your data storage on another. To each his own.

I'm trying to be helpful here, but when you keep insisting that AIM doesn't allow you to choose the install path, it's hard to continue on.

http://www.geekpc.net/images/forums/aiminstall.jpg

[Dayton]

Haha - I know you are trying to be helpful and I appreciate it, but I SWEAR that when I install AIM it doesn't give me a choice. I mean, I have to install it tonight so I'll check but I'm pretty sure I was trying to do it and getting very frustrated with it for not giving me an option. I'll check again tho.

Also, apps like BitTorrent definitely go only to your C: drive with no choice.

Anyways - The reason I keep my OS on one drive is so incase I need to reinstall, I can just install it and not lose my data/media files or have to reinstall my apps.

I'm not sure I would use ghost, dont know much about it. I dont use RAID config either.

Anyways, so what are you suggesting?

EDIT* I just saw the pic you posted and WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM?!?!

I swear it didn't give me that option.

[djnes]

So let me see if I am following along. Your system partition is D:? So you install XP with another drive in the system, and XP made it D. That's a very common mistake when people blow through their XP install without paying attention to the screens. That might also explain why your not finding the option in AIM. The default install path is C:\Program Files\AIM, but if you click the browse button, you'll get the screen I linked above, allowing you to install it anywhere.

As far as the re-install goes, I have a C drive where I install the OS, and all of my apps and games. It makes sense to keep your mediaand data files on another partition. If I have a problem, I can restore an image of my C drive, and not have to re-install any apps either. My data is safely on another drive. It makes sense to keep your data files away from the OS, but you're apps should go with the OS. I'm not sure why RAID was mentioned, but that doesn't apply to this discussion.

BitTorrent also let's you choose a location, as does each of the BitTorrent clients you can use.

Also, in terms of editing the registry to change the location of where an app is installed...in a word..DON'T.

[Dayton]

So let me see if I am following along. Your system partition is D:? So you install XP with another drive in the system, and XP made it D. That's a very common mistake when people blow through their XP install without paying attention to the screens. That might also explain why your not finding the option in AIM. The default install path is C:\Program Files\AIM, but if you click the browse button, you'll get the screen I linked above, allowing you to install it anywhere.

As far as the re-install goes, I have a C drive where I install the OS, and all of my apps and games. It makes sense to keep your mediaand data files on another partition. If I have a problem, I can restore an image of my C drive, and not have to re-install any apps either. My data is safely on another drive. It makes sense to keep your data files away from the OS, but you're apps should go with the OS. I'm not sure why RAID was mentioned, but that doesn't apply to this discussion.

BitTorrent also let's you choose a location, as does each of the BitTorrent clients you can use.

Also, in terms of editing the registry to change the location of where an app is installed...in a word..DON'T.

Well here is what I did. I have a 74gb Raptor and when I installed windows I partitions 10gb for the C: drive where I would keep the OS. The rest of the drive is my D: where I keep apps and games. Please tell me if you think there are flaws with that plan and if that is indeed what makes the option to install to diff drive unavailable in AIM and BitTorrent.

I am re-installing everything tonite, so how would you reccomend I do this? My dad has a copy of Norton Ghost as well, should I use this? And is there a specific reason to keep your apps and games on C: ?

[jonw757]

If you need to reinstall windows and all your apps are on your d drive your still going to have to reinstall them anyway. The data files I understand but the programs is pointless. Just like what your trying to change, windows remembers where you install everything, on the D:, so when you reformat its not going to keep those settings.

[djnes]

Well here is what I did. I have a 74gb Raptor and when I installed windows I partitions 10gb for the C: drive where I would keep the OS. The rest of the drive is my D: where I keep apps and games. Please tell me if you think there are flaws with that plan and if that is indeed what makes the option to install to diff drive unavailable in AIM and BitTorrent.

I am re-installing everything tonite, so how would you reccomend I do this? My dad has a copy of Norton Ghost as well, should I use this?

I have a 36GB Raptor, that is formatted as my C drive. I load XP, and all of my apps and games to it. I have a 120 GB Seagate drive that I store my data files, mp3s, pictures, etc on it. I also store a Ghost image file of the Raptor drive on my Seagate drive (which is all formatted as D:). If anything were to corrupt my OS, I have my data files safe, and a ghost image ready to lay back down. I back my D drive up to my server, so that data is safe as well.

As far as my advice to you: I always prefer having 2 physical drives. One drive for the OS, apps, and games, and then a second drive for my data. You have a blazing fast drive already, which is the ideal system volume, aka C Drive. I don't like having a small C partition (10 GB) because it is too limiting. I would make that Raptor the C drive by itself, and go pickup some other drive for storage. Tons of them on sale this week.

For install AIM and BitTorrent, just take your time through the installs, and you'll see the options to change the path.

[Dayton]

I have a 36GB Raptor, that is formatted as my C drive. I load XP, and all of my apps and games to it. I have a 120 GB Seagate drive that I store my data files, mp3s, pictures, etc on it. I also store a Ghost image file of the Raptor drive on my Seagate drive (which is all formatted as D:). If anything were to corrupt my OS, I have my data files safe, and a ghost image ready to lay back down. I back my D drive up to my server, so that data is safe as well.

As far as my advice to you: I always prefer having 2 physical drives. One drive for the OS, apps, and games, and then a second drive for my data. You have a blazing fast drive already, which is the ideal system volume, aka C Drive. I don't like having a small C partition (10 GB) because it is too limiting. I would make that Raptor the C drive by itself, and go pickup some other drive for storage. Tons of them on sale this week.

For install AIM and BitTorrent, just take your time through the installs, and you'll see the options to change the path.

Ok, that's great advice thank you. I also like having two physical drives split the way you do but I was short on cash so I could only get the raptor for now :(

Will pick up another hard drive next week definitely.

So for now I will store everthing on the Raptor - OS, apps and games; PLUS my data until my other HD comes in then just transfer? Sound doable?

thanks again man!

PS - did you ever tweak ur registry or try and slim down SP2?

[djnes]

Sound doable, and I think you'll enjoy knowing your OS and your apps are running off a damn fast drive. I'd eventually like to get rid of my 36 GB Raptor for a 74 GB one as well.

I've never done any registry tweaking or anything for SP2. It seems to run very well, maybe not faster, but definitely not any slower than an SP1 install or earlier.

[twwabw]

Your Sig..

The Software Forum: Where AV software is apparently optional. Dear god.

OMG that is TOO funny hahahahahaha

and sadly, the truth

[Dayton]

Sound doable, and I think you'll enjoy knowing your OS and your apps are running off a damn fast drive. I'd eventually like to get rid of my 36 GB Raptor for a 74 GB one as well.

I've never done any registry tweaking or anything for SP2. It seems to run very well, maybe not faster, but definitely not any slower than an SP1 install or earlier.

Yeah I gotta tell yeah everyone told me how noisy the 74gb would be but man I don't think it goes above a whisper persoanlly...same goes for my 650w psu, both very quiet in comparison to their beefiness. And yes, it is a faaaast drive! Apps and OS boot up in a blink.