Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

No C Drive?

0 helpful
6 replies

by sql dude

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

We have a client that does not have a "C:" drive. This is making our software fail spectacularly.

My question is: How can someone configure Windows 2000 Prof. to have no "C:" drive?

This is the only OS on the computer. It's primary hard disk partition is instead named "E:". It's floppy is "A:". It's CD-ROM is "D:", and it's network mappings are from "F:" on. As far as I know there is no strange disk configuration utility installed, and there is no out of the ordinary disk compression installed.

Any ideas... besides making our software smart enough to deal with this problem. Thanks.

6 replies

by cg it

Some network clients don't have C: drives. These are "dumb" front ends. (computers that are not stand alone desktops where they can run off the network or on the network) These types of Workstations obtain all their programs to run via the server.

by cg it

Also, depending what type of file system the hard drive is formated for and what program your using to view the drive determines whether you can see it. NTFS file systems are usable only for W2K O/S's. These drives can not be seen by DOS programs and DOS shell programs (like Fdisk).

by thechas

I suspect that the client system was originally configured as a dual-boot with an earlier version of Windows.
Once they no longer needed the old OS, the "C:" drive was removed, and W2K was set to boot from it's native drive.

Personally, I dislike ANY software package that does not provide the option of installing to a different location.
I try to install only the OS and drivers onto the boot drive.

3 ideas for your situation:
Install a C: drive on the system
Revise your software to use the native drive as the default.
Revise the software to at least allow the user to change the drive letter (if not the path).

Chas

by sql dude

I think that this is most probable theory I've heard from any source. I am in total agreeance with revising the software, and the project is underway. Obviously, thousands of lines of code that wasn't written in the best way takes time to fix.

Thank you for your input.

This discussion is closed to new replies.