install apps in 2nd HDD?

[weihk]

ello ello!

just wanted to ask......if i were to install things like MS Office/Printer drivers/Games etc etc in me 2nd HDD(E: ), would XP on C: still be able to open it and i can use it like normal?

at the moment, i have everything installed on C:, and without a 'cloned' image of my current drive if i were to format C:, i'll have to install everything one by one....which is a bit annoying....

would it work? doesnt have to be everything install on 2nd HDD, its just a work PC, so mainly MS Office/Printer driver on 2nd HDD would be nice....

cheers!

 

[Dav0s]

the short answer is, some things will work, some wont..

as a general rule, games normally work, but its different for every program.

 

[Rastalovich]

Key is to clone it after u`ve done all the installing u`r gonna do.

Anything u install after the cloning will require a reinstall in almost every case. Usually cos they`re so badly prepared that they need to ask the registry where they`re installed (even tho u`ve executed inside the folder), but that`s another rant.

I install OS on C:\, utils/drivers on D:\, games on G:\. Anytime I need a reinstall, I apply the clone to C:\ and it takes 5 minutes.

Just remember, everything u install to D: E: (whatever) AFTER u`ve cloned, will normally need to be reinstalled.

 

[weihk]

Key is to clone it after u`ve done all the installing u`r gonna do.

Anything u install after the cloning will require a reinstall in almost every case. Usually cos they`re so badly prepared that they need to ask the registry where they`re installed (even tho u`ve executed inside the folder), but that`s another rant.

I install OS on C:\, utils/drivers on D:\, games on G:\. Anytime I need a reinstall, I apply the clone to C:\ and it takes 5 minutes.

Just remember, everything u install to D: E: (whatever) AFTER u`ve cloned, will normally need to be reinstalled.

errmmmmm.....:eh:

not really getting the idea.....

i guess im completly off the mark....so its like this:-

install XP on C:

install MS Office & Printer Driver on E:

---make clone---

6 months down the line, i format XP from C:, without removing anything from E:

apply clone to C:

done! everything 'should' work fine.....right?

and, if i were to install, say...a Scanner, i install it on E:, but that's going to mess everything up.....? so i'll have to re-install whatever E: had before at the same time.....yes? then after that make a 'new clone'.

ahhh......its really confusing......

 

[nunzio]

that wont work.

 

[Azreil_2]

I think this might clear it up:

No matter where you install a program be it in the C: or D: or E:, it has to write its location into the registry which is part of windows? so if windows is deleted/formated and a clone is applied anything that wasnt in the registry when the clone was made won't work?...

Well this is how i think it works hope it helps

 

[Rastalovich]

I think this might clear it up:

No matter where you install a program be it in the C: or D: or E:, it has to write its location into the registry which is part of windows? so if windows is deleted/formated and a clone is applied anything that wasnt in the registry when the clone was made won't work?...

Well this is how i think it works hope it helps

Pretty much.

In the op`s example, when he reapplies the clone, office will still work coz it was there when he took a clone.

If he installed the scanner after making the clone, he`d have to reinstall that. Trick is to install the scanner b4 making the clone. Install it where-ever u like.

 

[nunzio]

Can always use NTBackup to backup the system state, which has the registry, and just restore that. After restoring the clone that is.

 

[Rastalovich]

Biggest pita I`ve found is when u reach that nice groove, where u have a good enough install to make u feel pretty comfortable - then u start increasing the number of games installed. When the OS/stuff starts to act up then, u have a whole host of games to re-install too.

What I`m figuring now is to go regedit and export the registry part of the game to the game folder and see if it helps. Some are silly tho and stick things where they`re not s`posed to.

 

[nrage]

Biggest pita I`ve found is when u reach that nice groove, where u have a good enough install to make u feel pretty comfortable - then u start increasing the number of games installed. When the OS/stuff starts to act up then, u have a whole host of games to re-install too.

What I`m figuring now is to go regedit and export the registry part of the game to the game folder and see if it helps. Some are silly tho and stick things where they`re not s`posed to.

I seem to recall there being a way to record the registry updates a particular install makes. Something you can run, which watches the registry and records all changes. So, you run it, install the game, then stop it and export the results to a file in the game dir.

The only problem is if you have several installs which update a shared registry value, you would have to apply the last exported registry last, if that makes any sense.

Found this one:

http://www.winxptutor.com/tracker.htm

 

[Rastalovich]

Something along the lines as part of System Mechanic would be one way of doing it.

Another dos related way, I guess, is to export the whole registry b4 an install then export it after the install and compare the two.

The 2nd would give me a sense of achievement if it worked ok

 

[FarFarAway]

Install em on 2nd HDD

Install new OS on 1st HDD

Try to run em...get "missing dx9d3d_dll file" or some rubbish like that. Download and stick the missing file in C:\Windows\System32\

Done...the games run