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Thread ID: 30185 2003-02-12 18:16:00 changing boot disks agent (30) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
120649 2003-02-12 18:16:00 I've got Windows ME installed on my C: drive, and XP Pro on my D: drive.
I want to switch the drives around, but I'm absolutely sure it is not as simple as changing the jumpers on the drives, as the boot sector is on C: :_|

Do I need to change the jumper settings and then have my BIOS put a boot sector on the new C: which was formerly D:? Or something? Without corrupting anything?

Oh, and if anyone can help me with my CD drive problems (pressf1.pcworld.co.nz), please do so ;)
agent (30)
120650 2003-02-12 21:39:00 Change the jumpers on the drives.

Check BIOS is correctly identifying the drives and in the correct order. Adjust if necessary.


Decide what setup is required - single boot, dual boot or boot from separate primary partitions.
This will answer the final configuration.

A stopgap option providing BIOS supports it is to boot from the D drive following jumper changes.
Merlin (503)
120651 2003-02-13 08:55:00 What about all my precious installed apps, will they be looking for themselves on the old D: drive when they're actually on new C:? agent (30)
120652 2003-02-13 09:29:00 Applications will look to references to the old drive letttering - so yes, there will be conflicts of a major and minor nature.



Three options here since application installation makes entries in areas like the registry and ini (initialisation) files.


1. Start from scratch and reinstall.

2. Create drive images and reinstall from them (though this will defeat the purpose of changing the drives over).

3. Look for a utility (like Norton Utilities) that will alter registry entries
and ini files so references are to new location. Make backups first.
Merlin (503)
120653 2003-02-13 09:39:00 Can I ask the reason for the disk swap? Stumped Badly (348)
120654 2003-02-14 04:22:00 Well, I put in a 40GB drive to install a trial of XP Pro on, and made it the slave. Of course, now that I'm (hopefully) getting the full version, I'm wanting to make it the C: as that is traditionally the drive Windows is installed on. I'll probably dump Windows ME and just use my other drive (6GB) for media files, assuming my Shared Music folder isn't too big for it (last I knew, it was around 4GB).

There are reasons to keep XP as D:, which include not having to remind myself everything on D: is now on C:, having to reinstall every program (far too much time, I've filled up half of my 40GB drive with games, programs, media, and other misc files.

And now, I think I probably won't change the drives around, maybe I'll just install Red Hat on it or something. Or is it possible to tell Windows XP to use the 6GB drive as swapfile space, or virtual memory, or page file, etc. So I don't need that stuff on 40GB drive?
agent (30)
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