How to change the drive letter for upgrading HDD?

G

Guest

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to the change the drive letter for
upgrading HDD?

My HDD current setting is showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 10 GB] and [E: drive 18 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G: drive 125
GB]

I would like to change the partition setting as showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G: drive 125
GB]

then rename all drive letters finally
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 125 GB] and [E: drive 125
GB]

[Question 1]
Currently, XP is installed under [C: drive], all applications are installed
under [D: drive], and all data and storage are located under [E: drive].
For [E: drive] under Disk 1, I can simply copy and paste all files from Disk
1 [E: drive] into Disk 3 [G: drive] without any problem, but for Disk 2 [D:
drive], can I simply copy and paste all application from Disk 2 [D: drive]
into Disk 3 [F: drive]? after that, rename the letter for Disk 3 [F: drive]
into Disk 3 [D: drive].
Can XP still recognize the new location for applications for this changing
setting?

[Question 2]
Furthermore, for Disk 1 [C: drive], once the Disk 1 [E: drive] has been
moved into Disk 3 [G: drive], then I will like to use the whole Disk 1 for
[C: drive],
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to expand the size without affecting
the current setting for XP?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions
Eric
 
G

Gary S. Terhune

Eric said:
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to the change the drive letter for
upgrading HDD?

My HDD current setting is showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 10 GB] and [E: drive 18
GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G: drive
125
GB]

I would like to change the partition setting as showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G: drive
125
GB]

then rename all drive letters finally
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 125 GB] and [E: drive
125
GB]

[Question 1]
Currently, XP is installed under [C: drive], all applications are
installed
under [D: drive], and all data and storage are located under [E: drive].
For [E: drive] under Disk 1, I can simply copy and paste all files from
Disk
1 [E: drive] into Disk 3 [G: drive] without any problem, but for Disk 2
[D:
drive], can I simply copy and paste all application from Disk 2 [D: drive]
into Disk 3 [F: drive]? after that, rename the letter for Disk 3 [F:
drive]
into Disk 3 [D: drive].
Can XP still recognize the new location for applications for this changing
setting?
NO.

[Question 2]
Furthermore, for Disk 1 [C: drive], once the Disk 1 [E: drive] has been
moved into Disk 3 [G: drive], then I will like to use the whole Disk 1 for
[C: drive],
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to expand the size without
affecting
the current setting for XP?
Click to expand...

Use BootIt NG from www.bootitng.com. Download the EXE, run it to create the
bootable installation floppy or CD, boot to that, CANCEL the installation,
then use Partition Work. Make a backup first, though. I've never had any
problem with resizing partitions (LOTS of them over the years) but you never
know. Fact is, if you have the space (or a DVD burner or LOTS of CDs and a
CD burner) you can create an image of the drive before resizing it. BootIt
NG is free for this purpose, since there's no need to install it (necessary
to use it as a boot manager.)
 
G

Guest

Thank you for your suggestions

For Question 1, do you mean that if [D: drive] for applications needs to be
changed location for different HDD, then I must re-install everything with no
choice?

For Question 2, the Disk 1 [C: drive] is in FAT32 format. Once the Disk 1
[E: drive] has been removed, could you please give me any suggestions on how
to resize [C: drive] partition in NTFS format without changing XP setting?
Since FAT32 format cannot recognize 40 GB size HDD.
I can use Ghost to create an image for [C: drive] and store in Disk 3 [E:
drive], do I need format Disk 1 in NTFS, install XP and Ghost, then restore
[C: drive] image?
Do you have any suggestions on how to do it in a better way?
Thank you very much for any suggestions
Eric

Gary S. Terhune said:
Eric said:
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to the change the drive letter for
upgrading HDD?

My HDD current setting is showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 10 GB] and [E: drive 18
GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G: drive
125
GB]

I would like to change the partition setting as showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G: drive
125
GB]

then rename all drive letters finally
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 125 GB] and [E: drive
125
GB]

[Question 1]
Currently, XP is installed under [C: drive], all applications are
installed
under [D: drive], and all data and storage are located under [E: drive].
For [E: drive] under Disk 1, I can simply copy and paste all files from
Disk
1 [E: drive] into Disk 3 [G: drive] without any problem, but for Disk 2
[D:
drive], can I simply copy and paste all application from Disk 2 [D: drive]
into Disk 3 [F: drive]? after that, rename the letter for Disk 3 [F:
drive]
into Disk 3 [D: drive].
Can XP still recognize the new location for applications for this changing
setting?
NO.

[Question 2]
Furthermore, for Disk 1 [C: drive], once the Disk 1 [E: drive] has been
moved into Disk 3 [G: drive], then I will like to use the whole Disk 1 for
[C: drive],
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to expand the size without
affecting
the current setting for XP?
Click to expand...

Use BootIt NG from www.bootitng.com. Download the EXE, run it to create the
bootable installation floppy or CD, boot to that, CANCEL the installation,
then use Partition Work. Make a backup first, though. I've never had any
problem with resizing partitions (LOTS of them over the years) but you never
know. Fact is, if you have the space (or a DVD burner or LOTS of CDs and a
CD burner) you can create an image of the drive before resizing it. BootIt
NG is free for this purpose, since there's no need to install it (necessary
to use it as a boot manager.)
Click to expand...
 
G

Gary S. Terhune

Eric said:
Thank you for your suggestions

For Question 1, do you mean that if [D: drive] for applications needs to
be
changed location for different HDD, then I must re-install everything with
no
choice?
Click to expand...

Yes. You *could* ream out the Registry looking for all the pointers to the
apps, try to find all the config files that might include pointers, and you
still won't get them all (and it will take a lot longer than simply
reinstalling.)
For Question 2, the Disk 1 [C: drive] is in FAT32 format. Once the Disk 1
[E: drive] has been removed, could you please give me any suggestions on
how
to resize [C: drive] partition in NTFS format without changing XP setting?
Click to expand...

Resize the partition using BootIt NG and convert it to NTFS using Windows.
See: http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php Doesn't matter which you do
first.
Since FAT32 format cannot recognize 40 GB size HDD.
Click to expand...

Can too. No problem with FAT32 drives up to 137 GB unless the motherboard
has some other limitation (which means it would be quite old.)
I can use Ghost to create an image for [C: drive] and store in Disk 3 [E:
drive], do I need format Disk 1 in NTFS, install XP and Ghost, then
restore
[C: drive] image?
Click to expand...

No need to. See above. But if Ghost doesn't have a way of creating a
bootable CD OS that can restore the image without having to first reinstall
Windows, then I'd recommend you switch to Acronis True Image Home Edition.
Do you have any suggestions on how to do it in a better way?
Thank you very much for any suggestions
Click to expand...

IBID.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com
Gary S. Terhune said:
Eric said:
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to the change the drive letter
for
upgrading HDD?

My HDD current setting is showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 10 GB] and [E: drive
18
GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G:
drive
125
GB]

I would like to change the partition setting as showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G:
drive
125
GB]

then rename all drive letters finally
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 125 GB] and [E:
drive
125
GB]

[Question 1]
Currently, XP is installed under [C: drive], all applications are
installed
under [D: drive], and all data and storage are located under [E:
drive].
For [E: drive] under Disk 1, I can simply copy and paste all files from
Disk
1 [E: drive] into Disk 3 [G: drive] without any problem, but for Disk 2
[D:
drive], can I simply copy and paste all application from Disk 2 [D:
drive]
into Disk 3 [F: drive]? after that, rename the letter for Disk 3 [F:
drive]
into Disk 3 [D: drive].
Can XP still recognize the new location for applications for this
changing
setting?
NO.

[Question 2]
Furthermore, for Disk 1 [C: drive], once the Disk 1 [E: drive] has been
moved into Disk 3 [G: drive], then I will like to use the whole Disk 1
for
[C: drive],
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to expand the size without
affecting
the current setting for XP?
Click to expand...

Use BootIt NG from www.bootitng.com. Download the EXE, run it to create
the
bootable installation floppy or CD, boot to that, CANCEL the
installation,
then use Partition Work. Make a backup first, though. I've never had any
problem with resizing partitions (LOTS of them over the years) but you
never
know. Fact is, if you have the space (or a DVD burner or LOTS of CDs and
a
CD burner) you can create an image of the drive before resizing it.
BootIt
NG is free for this purpose, since there's no need to install it
(necessary
to use it as a boot manager.)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
G

Guest

Thank you very much for suggestions
Eric

Gary S. Terhune said:
Eric said:
Thank you for your suggestions

For Question 1, do you mean that if [D: drive] for applications needs to
be
changed location for different HDD, then I must re-install everything with
no
choice?
Click to expand...

Yes. You *could* ream out the Registry looking for all the pointers to the
apps, try to find all the config files that might include pointers, and you
still won't get them all (and it will take a lot longer than simply
reinstalling.)
For Question 2, the Disk 1 [C: drive] is in FAT32 format. Once the Disk 1
[E: drive] has been removed, could you please give me any suggestions on
how
to resize [C: drive] partition in NTFS format without changing XP setting?
Click to expand...

Resize the partition using BootIt NG and convert it to NTFS using Windows.
See: http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php Doesn't matter which you do
first.
Since FAT32 format cannot recognize 40 GB size HDD.
Click to expand...

Can too. No problem with FAT32 drives up to 137 GB unless the motherboard
has some other limitation (which means it would be quite old.)
I can use Ghost to create an image for [C: drive] and store in Disk 3 [E:
drive], do I need format Disk 1 in NTFS, install XP and Ghost, then
restore
[C: drive] image?
Click to expand...

No need to. See above. But if Ghost doesn't have a way of creating a
bootable CD OS that can restore the image without having to first reinstall
Windows, then I'd recommend you switch to Acronis True Image Home Edition.
Do you have any suggestions on how to do it in a better way?
Thank you very much for any suggestions
Click to expand...

IBID.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com
Gary S. Terhune said:
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to the change the drive letter
for
upgrading HDD?

My HDD current setting is showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 10 GB] and [E: drive
18
GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G:
drive
125
GB]

I would like to change the partition setting as showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G:
drive
125
GB]

then rename all drive letters finally
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 125 GB] and [E:
drive
125
GB]

[Question 1]
Currently, XP is installed under [C: drive], all applications are
installed
under [D: drive], and all data and storage are located under [E:
drive].
For [E: drive] under Disk 1, I can simply copy and paste all files from
Disk
1 [E: drive] into Disk 3 [G: drive] without any problem, but for Disk 2
[D:
drive], can I simply copy and paste all application from Disk 2 [D:
drive]
into Disk 3 [F: drive]? after that, rename the letter for Disk 3 [F:
drive]
into Disk 3 [D: drive].
Can XP still recognize the new location for applications for this
changing
setting?

NO.

[Question 2]
Furthermore, for Disk 1 [C: drive], once the Disk 1 [E: drive] has been
moved into Disk 3 [G: drive], then I will like to use the whole Disk 1
for
[C: drive],
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to expand the size without
affecting
the current setting for XP?

Use BootIt NG from www.bootitng.com. Download the EXE, run it to create
the
bootable installation floppy or CD, boot to that, CANCEL the
installation,
then use Partition Work. Make a backup first, though. I've never had any
problem with resizing partitions (LOTS of them over the years) but you
never
know. Fact is, if you have the space (or a DVD burner or LOTS of CDs and
a
CD burner) you can create an image of the drive before resizing it.
BootIt
NG is free for this purpose, since there's no need to install it
(necessary
to use it as a boot manager.)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
G

Guest

I get one more question,
Disk 1 for OS - 40 GB size
Disk 3 for Data - 250 GB size

If I have done format and partition for Disk 3 and copy all files into it,
and now I need to re-install XP in Disk 1, without updating the SP2, what
does it happen for Disk 3? Can I still find all data under Disk 3? but at
this moment without updating SP2 and the maximum size of HDD is under 128 GB,
will part of data be missing until upgrading with SP2?
Thank for any suggestions
Eric
 
L

Lil' Dave

Eric said:
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to the change the drive letter for
upgrading HDD?

My HDD current setting is showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 10 GB] and [E: drive 18
GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G: drive
125
GB]

I would like to change the partition setting as showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G: drive
125
GB]

then rename all drive letters finally
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 125 GB] and [E: drive
125
GB]

[Question 1]
Currently, XP is installed under [C: drive], all applications are
installed
under [D: drive], and all data and storage are located under [E: drive].
For [E: drive] under Disk 1, I can simply copy and paste all files from
Disk
1 [E: drive] into Disk 3 [G: drive] without any problem, but for Disk 2
[D:
drive], can I simply copy and paste all application from Disk 2 [D: drive]
into Disk 3 [F: drive]? after that, rename the letter for Disk 3 [F:
drive]
into Disk 3 [D: drive].
Can XP still recognize the new location for applications for this changing
setting?

[Question 2]
Furthermore, for Disk 1 [C: drive], once the Disk 1 [E: drive] has been
moved into Disk 3 [G: drive], then I will like to use the whole Disk 1 for
[C: drive],
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to expand the size without
affecting
the current setting for XP?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions
Eric
Click to expand...

Don't see a way around this without 3rd party tools. Gary mentions one of
many.
Dave
 
G

Guest

Do you have any suggestions?
Thank everyone for any suggestions
Eric

Lil' Dave said:
Eric said:
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to the change the drive letter for
upgrading HDD?

My HDD current setting is showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 10 GB] and [E: drive 18
GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G: drive
125
GB]

I would like to change the partition setting as showed below
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 125 GB] and [G: drive
125
GB]

then rename all drive letters finally
Disk 1 - 40GB, which partitions into [C: drive - 40 GB]
Disk 2 - 10 GB, which partitions into [F: drive - 9.53 GB] only
Disk 3 - 250 GB, which partitions into [D: drive - 125 GB] and [E: drive
125
GB]

[Question 1]
Currently, XP is installed under [C: drive], all applications are
installed
under [D: drive], and all data and storage are located under [E: drive].
For [E: drive] under Disk 1, I can simply copy and paste all files from
Disk
1 [E: drive] into Disk 3 [G: drive] without any problem, but for Disk 2
[D:
drive], can I simply copy and paste all application from Disk 2 [D: drive]
into Disk 3 [F: drive]? after that, rename the letter for Disk 3 [F:
drive]
into Disk 3 [D: drive].
Can XP still recognize the new location for applications for this changing
setting?

[Question 2]
Furthermore, for Disk 1 [C: drive], once the Disk 1 [E: drive] has been
moved into Disk 3 [G: drive], then I will like to use the whole Disk 1 for
[C: drive],
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to expand the size without
affecting
the current setting for XP?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions
Eric
Click to expand...

Don't see a way around this without 3rd party tools. Gary mentions one of
many.
Dave
Click to expand...
 
G

Gary S. Terhune

That one is a bit out of my scope. Let's hope someone with the knowledge at
fingertip comes along. Otherwise, ask it in a new thread.
 
P

Paul Randall

You could create a new installation CD for WXP, containing SP2 slipstreamed
into your current WXP CD. If Disk 3 is still essentially unused, you could
use it as a test bed -- install WXP from your new SP2 install disk and
verify that it has no problems creating partitions of any size on the disk,
and that WXP runs fine.

Note: WXP's partitioning software was dumbed down to limit FAT32 partitions
to 32 GB. I use third party software to partition my drives. WXP SP2 works
just find on my 300 GB FAT32 partitions.

When you get around to copying huge amounts be sure to have a way to verify
its integrity. I use a small free software called DVDSig to create MD5
checksums for a folder's contents and to later verify that the folder still
contains everything that the checksum list says it does, still with the same
checksums.

-Paul Randall
 
A

Andy

I get one more question,
Disk 1 for OS - 40 GB size
Disk 3 for Data - 250 GB size

If I have done format and partition for Disk 3 and copy all files into it,
and now I need to re-install XP in Disk 1, without updating the SP2, what
does it happen for Disk 3? Can I still find all data under Disk 3? but at
this moment without updating SP2 and the maximum size of HDD is under 128 GB,
will part of data be missing until upgrading with SP2?
Thank for any suggestions
Click to expand...

I suggest you not allow the operating system to do anything (in
particular, autochk/chkdsk) to Disk3 until SP2 has been installed.
 

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