why does WindowsXP think my only HD is E: ??

[cj]

I had a system meltdown and about the only thing I
managed to save was the HD. Did everything correctly(I
hope)when I reinstalled XP on the new( and now only)HD.
Now that the smaller D is gone from the system, XP still
sees it as E: and won't allow me to change it's mind.
What do I do now?? I'm having trouble downloading some
things from the net(they are looking for C: and not
finding it...
Thankx

cj

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

There is no way to change the drive letter assigned the system partition
without starting from scratch. If you decide to do so, make sure all
unnecessary peripherals are removed before feginning.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org

"cj" > wrote in message
...
> I had a system meltdown and about the only thing I
> managed to save was the HD. Did everything correctly(I
> hope)when I reinstalled XP on the new( and now only)HD.
> Now that the smaller D is gone from the system, XP still
> sees it as E: and won't allow me to change it's mind.
> What do I do now?? I'm having trouble downloading some
> things from the net(they are looking for C: and not
> finding it...
> Thankx
>
> cj

[Bob Harris]

Xref: kermit microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics:226336

To force XP to install on "C:", you need to (1) remove all partions using
the XP recovery console run from the XP CD, or a modern version of fdisk run
from a DOS floppy, (2) create new ones, (3) unplug the connectors to things
like ZIP drives (but not the CD or floppy drive), (4) unplug all USB,
firewire, SCSI, parallel port devices, and serial port devices (a modem is
OK), (5) install XP.

However, instead of all that, why not just let XP live on E:\? Unlike
95/98/ME, XP can work from any partition, so long a s few key files are on
the first partition on the first hard drive (e.g., boot.ini, ntldr,
ntdetect.com). If a program wants to download to C:, why not make a "C:"
and the desired directory on it. XP can re-assign drive letters to all
partitions (except the one with XP itself). If you do not have a spare
partition to call "C:" get some software like Partition Magic to create
another partition without losing data.
"cj" > wrote in message
...
> I had a system meltdown and about the only thing I
> managed to save was the HD. Did everything correctly(I
> hope)when I reinstalled XP on the new( and now only)HD.
> Now that the smaller D is gone from the system, XP still
> sees it as E: and won't allow me to change it's mind.
> What do I do now?? I'm having trouble downloading some
> things from the net(they are looking for C: and not
> finding it...
> Thankx
>
> cj