Can I hid a partition and still use it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter socalmk
  • Start date Start date
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socalmk

I want to set up a new partition off of my main hard drive using
Partition magic, install a program to the new partition, hide it but
then still be able to use that program that is installed to that
partition. Is this possible and if so how do I set it up? Any help
would be greatly appreciated.
 
Download and install TweakUI:

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP (TweakUI)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

After installing, go to Start > Programs > PowerToys for Windows XP >
TweakUI. Expand 'My Computer', click on 'Drives', then uncheck the
drives you wish to hide.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

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

:

| I want to set up a new partition off of my main hard drive using
| Partition magic, install a program to the new partition, hide it but
| then still be able to use that program that is installed to that
| partition. Is this possible and if so how do I set it up? Any help
| would be greatly appreciated.
 
I want to set up a new partition off of my main hard drive using
Partition magic, install a program to the new partition, hide it but
then still be able to use that program that is installed to that
partition. Is this possible and if so how do I set it up? Any help
would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...


Curious.

why would you do that?

If you don't mind me asking.


Good luck!


Tallahassee
 
Download and install TweakUI:

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP (TweakUI)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

After installing, go to Start > Programs > PowerToys for Windows XP >
TweakUI. Expand 'My Computer', click on 'Drives', then uncheck the
drives you wish to hide.
Click to expand...

Carey,
Does that still cause Start Button problems like it used to in Win9x? (Just curious)

Commands Unavailable on Start Button Context Menu
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=188209

Unk
 
I was wondering if someone would ask that. I set up internet
monitoring programs on my employees' computers to keep track of their
surfing activity during work hours. But they've always found ways
around it or been able to delete the program. So, what I am trying to
do is to create a separate partition off of the main drive, install the
monitoring program onto that partition, freeze that partition using
Deep Freeze and then hide the partition. Although I am trying to hide
from my employees the fact that such a program is installed that is not
my main concern. Rather, I'm trying to install the program in a manner
so that no matter what they try it will always come back upon reboot.
I hope that wasn't confusing.
 
Thank you for the suggestion Carey. I have read that in other posts,
but what I am wondering is will I still be able to run any programs
that are installed onto that partition even though it is hidden? Thank
you.
 
Thank you for the suggestion Carey. I have read that in other posts,
but what I am wondering is will I still be able to run any programs
that are installed onto that partition even though it is hidden? Thank
you.
 
I was wondering if someone would ask that. I set up internet
monitoring programs on my employees' computers to keep track of their
surfing activity during work hours. But they've always found ways
around it or been able to delete the program. So, what I am trying to
do is to create a separate partition off of the main drive, install the
monitoring program onto that partition, freeze that partition using
Deep Freeze and then hide the partition. Although I am trying to hide
from my employees the fact that such a program is installed that is not
my main concern. Rather, I'm trying to install the program in a manner
so that no matter what they try it will always come back upon reboot.
I hope that wasn't confusing.
Click to expand...


Not at all. I've heard of such monitoring, I've worked (way
back in my working days/I'm long since retired)
in companies that likely had such monitoring, I just wasn't
sure how they accomplished it.

Now I know.

at least in theory.

I'll be interested to see how this one gets answered.

Do let me know if the advice you get works.

On the chance that I am able to return to work some time in
the future (my objective), I may need this knowledge.



Good luck!


Tallahassee
 
I want to set up a new partition off of my main hard drive using
Partition magic, install a program to the new partition, hide it but
then still be able to use that program that is installed to that
partition. Is this possible and if so how do I set it up? Any help
would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

You can use mountvol.exe to assign or remove a drive
letter to or from your hidden partition. Run a scheduled
job with local administrator privilege to do this:
@echo off
MOUNTVOL [drive:]path VolumeName
xcopy /y SourceFile TargetFile
MOUNTVOL [drive:]path /D

Unless your users have local admin privileges, they won't
be able to assign a letter to that drive, thus leaving it
inaccessible.
 
I set up internet
monitoring programs on my employees' computers to keep track of their
surfing activity during work hours. But they've always found ways
around it or been able to delete the program.
Click to expand...

Then you're doing it at the wrong place in the chain. A simple Firewall
solution will allow you to monitor your people and their actions. A
firewall appliance can log inbound/outbound and even include the users
login name no matter where they login from.

Don't put crap on their computers, there is always a way around it.

Your company policy should state that all network traffic is monitored
and may be used for disciplinary measures if needed.
 
I want to set up a new partition off of my main hard drive using
Partition magic, install a program to the new partition, hide it but
then still be able to use that program that is installed to that
partition. Is this possible and if so how do I set it up? Any help
would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

An inexpensive solution to monitoring a firewall is to use something like a
Linksys WRT54G router, that has the HyperWRT 2.x firmware loaded on it.
Then setup a Windoze box to use a free program called WallWatcher. This
will retrieve the logs from the router and give you realtime access to all
connections going out or into your LAN.
 
Leythos said:
Then you're doing it at the wrong place in the chain. A simple Firewall
solution will allow you to monitor your people and their actions. A
firewall appliance can log inbound/outbound and even include the users
login name no matter where they login from.

Don't put crap on their computers, there is always a way around it.

Your company policy should state that all network traffic is monitored
and may be used for disciplinary measures if needed.
Click to expand...

though if he's interested in the contents he'd need a sniffer. less
flexible / user friendly. no analysis. With a program he gets the
analysis he needs.
 
Thank you for the suggestion Carey. I have read that in other posts,
but what I am wondering is will I still be able to run any programs
that are installed onto that partition even though it is hidden? Thank
you.
Click to expand...

That might stop them deleting the program, but it won't stop them
terminating the program. It won't stop them killing the process , or
getting around the program.
 
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions guys. I actually figured out a
way that's served me well the last few weeks. While the method I came
across has allowed my workers to bypass the monitoring software once,
I've set it up so that it comes back and by then they think its gone.
So I've been able to monitor them effectively without them knowing it.

But I was wondering if I could ask another related question. Is there
any way to remove a program from the "Add or Remove Programs" list in
Control Panel while the program is still installed? Any help would be
greatly appreciated.
 
This is a public discussion forum. This means that your question
is visible to everyone who cares to read it, and so are the
answers you receive.

Seeing that you received quite a few replies, I find it hard to
understand why you chose not to reveal the solution you
found. How about posting it too, for the benefit of other
readers?

With respect to your other question: Seeing that it deals with
a completely different topic and seeing that this thread is now
three weeks old, I suggest you start a new thread.
 
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions guys. I actually figured out a
way that's served me well the last few weeks. While the method I came
across has allowed my workers to bypass the monitoring software once,
I've set it up so that it comes back and by then they think its gone.
So I've been able to monitor them effectively without them knowing it.

But I was wondering if I could ask another related question. Is there
any way to remove a program from the "Add or Remove Programs" list in
Control Panel while the program is still installed? Any help would be
greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

That's good. You ask for help but don't give the solution to the question
you posted- that info may help others. Do you think that attitude deserves
help from others? They can do what you did- I had the same problem but I did
find a solution- I'm not telling but help me with this question-
..............
 
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