Program files and My Documents causing problems.

[Geoman]

I just bought a new system from Newegg, P4-2.8 with 865 GB Intel Borad with Pro XP, two partitions, C:=-20 Gig and D= 140 gig.

I partitioned it this way in hopes that I could put XP Pro on C and all data and other programs on D. But Bill Gates says NOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo! Word, Excel, and just about every other program wants to go to C as a defult for saved data.

HELP in MSWord 2000 says we should be able to change the name of the 'program files' and 'my documents' to different names and locations, good luck in that effort!

Is there anyway to have programs defalt their data such as Word Docs to D? Or should I start over with this new computer and split the drive 50/50 or just have one partition?

Thanks
Rich

[Metaphorically]

My opinion for a long time has been to not bother with partitioning, too many headaches and not enough benefit. If you want to change your My Documents directory, an easy way to do it is to right click it on your desktop or in explorer and fill in the new folder in the "Target" edit box. Then click the Move button. There should be something analagous for Program Files, but I haven't done that one. You might need a power toy for it.
I move my My Documents folder to a folder off the root of C since I use some programs that disagree with really long paths or spaces. The occasional program still looks for a c:\my documents or some such hardcoded path, though.

[doctorgonzo]

Originally posted by Geoman
Is there anyway to have programs defalt their data such as Word Docs to D? Or should I start over with this new computer and split the drive 50/50 or just have one partition?

Thanks
Rich

There is nothing wrong with having two partitions, and it is quite useful.

Just install Office to D:. In Word, go to Tools...Options, and then File Locations tab. Change that to D. If you want to move your entire My Documents folder over, check this out: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310147

[Geoman]

I will certainly try these steps.

I have also noticed that I am having problems setting up a network when things are not under 'my documents'. The network setup on my system shows a sharing of only those folders under 'my documents'. I could have sworn that all files in the past was viewable no matter where they were placed.

Thanks for your replies :-)

Richard

[TPM]

I have my Doc files targeted to my second hard drive this way if WinXp ever crashes I haven't lost anything. I have never had a problem with it. It also keeps your user profile secured so if anyone goes to open it on the second drive they can't

[glc]

If you want to make XP Pro network in the traditional NT/2K manner, go into Folder Options, View - and uncheck "use simple file sharing". This is one advantage Pro has over Home, Home can only use simple.

[Geoman]

First, thanks to all for your help, I finally got it to switch drives and is working GREAT

Secondly, GLS, I found that I did not have the files checked as 'share', but I didn't see the 'simple' that you speak of. What is the advantage to this please?

Thanks:)

Richard

[glc]

Simple file sharing's advantage is you can set up a small network using the networking wizard without messing with adding users and setting permissions. It sets up specific shared folders on each machine that anyone can access with no further configuration. For us advanced users, this is a joke - but it is indeed "simple". Scroll down in the View window, it's the last item on the list.