Accessing programs on slave drive

[njneer75]

I just installed win2k on a new hard drive with two partitions. I also have a slave drive (the one from my old computer) installed. I have tons of programs on the slave, but I can't access the programs. I've tried sending their .exe icons to the desktop but when I double-click to open the programs, i get an error message saying that I have to run setup to install the program. For instance, I have Office 2000 on the slave drive. I tried sending the Word icon to the desktop but it wont let me open the program. What is the trick to accessing program files on a different drive that the operating system is on. Thanks.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Hi there njneer75, and welcome to the PC Mech Forums!

Of course you won't be able to access them. You must install them first on your actual OS. Even if you select the slave drive as the location for them.

For example, Office. You must insert your Office CD and run the installation program in order to be able to use it.

[mike breck]

What OS do you have on the old Slave drive - W2K or Win9x?

The reason you cannot run the programs from W2K is the programs are not listed in the W2K registry. If the OSs are the same, then as Nuke said, reinstalling them over the top of themselves (THRO W2K on the Master drive to their existing location on the Slave) will allow the programs to run.

However, if you have Win9x on the Slave, it might be better to set up a dual-boot system as many of the Win9x programs may not be compatible with W2K.

You'd have to check each program to see if it is compatible.

[njneer75]

Thanks for the quick replies!

I have win2k on the master which the computer boots off of. The slave has tons of programs installed on it under win98. I can view all the file folders on the slave drive from the win2k explorer screen, but I cant do anything with the programs. I dont understand why the OS can't run the programs from any drive other than the one itself is located on. Am I just doing something wrong? I cant be the only one trying to do this. Is dual-booting the only answer? Thanks for everyone's help.

[Nuclear Krusader]

OK. When you install a program it doesn't just create its own folder and copy files there, it also creates files in the Windows and Program Files folders. Of course the program doesn't tell u this.

Since you haven't reinstalled those programs in Win2k it cannot run them because the dlls and many files in the Windows and Program Files folders are missing (they were never written there).

Do as I suggested. Reinstall them all from your actual OS and you will be able to run them.

And no, dual booting is not the only answer. The easier way to get them working is doing as I suggested.

[njneer75]

Thanks for the help. I now see what you mean. Even though the slave drive is now the G: drive on my new system, the programs and all the dll's still point to what it thinks is the c: drive. So, here's my dilema now. Ssshhhh, don't tell anyone, but i dont have all the disks for the tons of (expensive) programs i have installed on that drive, ie. Autocad, C++, Matlab, adobe photoshop full retail. Get what i mean. So is there any other way? Thanks.

[ZANEY123]

hmmmm. i would keep that last one to yourself...FAQ if the slave has a os on it run the slave by itself like you did before....if not tough luck go out and buy the disks...

Zaney123