I have recently purchased a new PC, without software, into which I
added an additional 180 HDD.  I then formatted both HDDs (original
80GB and the newly added 180GB) and then loaded Windows XP.  It all
went smoothly until I noticed that what should be my system “C: Drive”
has the F: Drive letter (It is the correct 80GB HDD, however). 
Thinking that this may be a problem, I reformatted the HDD and
re-installed XP.  Alas, this did not change anything and I still have
the same problem.

Under XP Disk Management, you can change or re-assign drive letters. 
However “You cannot change the drive letter of the system volume or
boot volume” according to Windows, and indeed this does seem to be the
case.

I am having problems already installing some programs, as they expect
to run various C:\ commands and therefore fall over when they do not
find a C: Drive as the system volume.

I would like to know whether there is any software that could allow me
to rename the system drive, without having to go through an XP
re-install, or is there another workaround that anyone believes would
solve this problem?

Many thanks.

Hello, dysan99:

  Maybe you would like to know you are not alone. Check out these
links:

New hardisk with XP assigned as Drive F:
XP will not allow me to re-assign the drive to C:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_20590937.html

"I have installed a new hard disk in my PC in IDE-0 as per previous
setup. The new hard disk in XP is assigned Drive F: and XP will not
allow me to change the assigment to C: even though I vacate that
assigment which has been taken up through XP by my second hard disk on
IDE-1 which used to be D:"

Windows XP on F: instead of C:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&threadm=0a8901c1f18e%2411f8e9a0%249ae62ecf%40tkmsftngxa02&rnum=2&prev=/groups%3Fhl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26q%3Dinstall%2Bwindows%2Bxp%2B%2BC%253A%2B%2BF%253A%26sa%3DN%26tab%3Dwg

"I recently did a clean install of Windows XP and the Zip Drive took
C: for itself, while the CD-ROM and CD-RW took D and E. Poor Windows
XP was left with F: drive.

I thought this was strange, but so far it hadn't caused any problems.
BUT, today I attempted to install my HP PhotoSmart 1115 and it told me
it couldn't open C:\temp and aborted the install. I worked around it
and got the drivers installed, but the printer can't find them.

So, bottom line is that I need to make XP's drive C: as it should be.

Anybody got any ideas? I can't seem to find a way to change drive
names in XP. Just doesn't work the same as in Windows 9x."

Windows XP assigned my C drive as E. How can I change my default boot
to C:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&threadm=b53cbdef.0203100332.42c669d2%40posting.google.com&rnum=4&prev=/groups%3Fhl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26q%3Dinstall%2Bwindows%2Bxp%2B%2B%2522C%253A%2522%2B%2B%2522E%253A%2522%26sa%3DN%26tab%3Dwg

"Can someone help.  I just bought a new drive and put it into my
system.  I booted to the WindowsXP disk and accepted all the defaults
for it to partition in NTFS, format, and install the operating system.
When it finished I'm stuck with my default drive being E rather than
C.  This is the first drive on the first controller.  I tried to use
the system management feature of the control panel, but it says you
can't change the boot drive letter. 

Thanks in advance for anyone that has a suggestion.  I hope there will
be a way to change it that doesn't involve reinstalling WindowsXP."

why my hard drive was assigned F:\?
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&threadm=Rri%257.13420%24Xs4.3176187%40feed.centurytel.net&rnum=5&prev=/groups%3Fhl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26q%3Dinstall%2Bassigned%2Bwindows%2Bxp%2B%2B%2522C%253A%2522%26btnG%3DGoogle%2BSearch

"Is there any way I can get Windows to reassign the HD to C:\ as it
normally does without having to do a new install?"

Unfortunately, it seems Windows XP installation do what it wants to
without asking, and if you read those messages, the solution to try
reassing drive letters without reinstall is posted in this MS
knowledge base article:

HOW TO: Change the System/Boot Drive Letter in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q223188

You can try to apply it to your system to prevent reformating, but I
highly doubt your system behaves correctly after that change and in my
opinion I think it's better for you to do the following:
-Unplug any devices (zip, cd drives, secondary hard drives, etc) and
left plugged *only* the harddisk you want to be the C: drive
-Reinstall erasing your current partitions and performing a blank
installation, not a repair one
-Once everything is setup, plug the other devices and power on the
system and Windows XP will start to detect and install new devices

I hope this is the information you were looking for but this is a
technical support answer, there are many factors that can prevent your
system to work properly, so don't hesitate to request as many
clarifications you need until you get your system up and running. We
are here to help you!

Search strategy

install assigned windows xp  "C:"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=install+assigned+windows+xp++%22C%3A%22&sa=N&tab=gw
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=install+assigned+windows+xp++%22C%3A%22&sa=N&tab=wg

install windows xp  "C:" "F:"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=install+windows+xp++%22C%3A%22+%22F%3A%22&sa=N&tab=gw
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=install+windows+xp++%22C%3A%22+%22F%3A%22&btnG=Google+Search

Regards.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by dysan99-ga on 29 Aug 2003 05:38 PDT

Hi joseleon,

I think I have this.  Sadly, it is what I was hoping the answer would
not be!!
A point of clarification, if you will, tho.  If I unplug everything
but the boot drive, as per your suggestion - how do I boot of the
CD-ROM to actually install XP.  I think I am missing something here.

Should I re-format the HDD from a floppy boot disk (can I even do
this??) with everything unplugged and then reboot after it has
re-formatted the HDD but this time with the CD-ROM connected?

It seems to my small brain that the "I have been told the solution is
to interrupt the install as soon as the drive is formatted, and
re-boot it" comments in the article hold the key?

Can U sketch out a quick "re-format and re-install for dummies"
routine?

Thanks!

---

Request for Answer Clarification by dysan99-ga on 29 Aug 2003 06:10 PDT

Sorry, me again.  Another thing.  I seem to recall there was a
"transfer your settings to another computer" or similar type of
facility.  Would I be able to use this to reduce the time to do this
re-install.  Would it help me in this instance, or would too much be
marred with F:\ directions to files etc.

Again, thanks!

---

Clarification of Answer by joseleon-ga on 29 Aug 2003 09:25 PDT

Hello, dysan99:
  I'm working on a detailed procedure for you to follow, please, give
me some time. The wizard you say is *primary* to port your Windows
2000 and 98 settings to Windows XP, thing that you must try to avoid
in the same way you have to avoid upgrade a Windows 2000 to XP, it's a
totally nightmare ;-).

Install a fresh system is the best way to ensure you are not going to
have problems.

Please, give me some time, I'm on it...

Regards.

---

Clarification of Answer by joseleon-ga on 29 Aug 2003 09:50 PDT

Hello, dysan99:
  Well, everything is on the internet, I was developing a tutorial
like this one, but I have found one already made:

Windows XP Clean Install (Interactive Setup)
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

Please, read the FULL answer before start.

Ignore these steps:
4. Consider upgrading your BIOS 
5. Run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard 
6. Backup your data
7. If using an Upgrade CD, be sure to have qualifying media

And pay special attention to these ones:

"5. Choose an installation partition
This crucial step lets you choose where to install XP. On a clean
install, you will typically install to the C: drive, but you might
have other ideas, especially if you plan to dual-boot with 9x. Setup
will show you all of your available disks (in this case, just one) and
let you create and delete partitions as needed. So, for example, if
you have one disk, but would like to create two partitions, one for XP
and one for your data, you can do that here."

Be sure the system detects your harddrive as C:!


"6. Select the file system
If you created a new partition, or wish to change the file system of
an existing partition, you can do so in the next step. Generally
speaking, I recommend going with the NTFS file system, which is more
secure than FAT.
Regardless of which file system you choose, be sure to select one of
the "quick" format options (the top two choices), if you do need to
format, since these will work much more quickly than a full format.

In this example, I've selected an existing FAT32 partition and elected
to format it in NTFS format."

Choose NTFS, it's better.

"7. Optionally format the partition
If you did choose to change or format the file system, this will occur
next. First, you'll be asked to verify the format. If you're
installing XP on a system with more than one partition, especially one
that still holds your data on one of the partitions, be sure you're
formatting the correct partition.
Hit F to continue, and a yellow progress bar will indicate the status
of the format. When this is complete, Setup will again examine your
disks, and create a list of files to copy."

Remove the *optionally*, format the partition, please.

I think this tutorial it's great, but again, don't hesitate to request
for clarifications and remember to leave plugged just your primary
harddrive and the primary cdrom.

I look forward to hear how the process goes...

Regards.

Great stuff joseleon!  Many thanks.  I just knew in my water there
would be no quick fix, but you have provided all the info I need to
sort it out.

When I am building a computer and installing windows, I don't connect
the IDE cable or power to any other drives (i.e. secondary HDs or
ZIPs) until after Windows is installed.  Then when you connect them,
they will be designated desirable drive letters.  I found its the
easiest way to do it.

Just a comment...

Thanks, Heavylee - A general question is just out of interest.  How
come you can change any drive designation in XP but the system drive? 
If everything is kept in the registry why wouldn't you be able to
change the lot in one fell swoop?