Loading Programs NOT ON C:

Can I load my programs and ALL NEEDED FILES on a drive other than the C: drive
Sincem I have to reload Windows at least every 6 months, I am sick and tired
of ALSO having to reload all my programs?


Bill

Bill,
I do not know why you have to install Vista every 6 months, but rather than reinstall, just use current image (you can make an image as ofen as you like). An image is just a picture, you can use that image to reinstall. You will be back just the way you were. It takes about 15 minutes. Download the free Macrium Reflect and read the tutorial below. If you have any questions, I am here for you.
Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download
Imaging with free Macrium - Windows 7 Support Forums

Hello Bill,

Unfortunately, even the programs were installed on another drive letter, the programs would still have to be reinstalled with Windows since they are integrated in the registry.

If you like, you could create an image with either the built-in system image feature or using Macrium Reflect when you have just finished doing a clean install and installing all of your drivers, updates, and programs.

This way, whenever you need to reinstall, you could just do a system image recovery, and be right back to how your system was when the image was created in short period of time instead of half the day.

Hope this helps.

I have no idea why either, but seems like after a while if the system is on while I am at work,
I get home and click... nothing. If I wait 10 minutes a folder MAY open. Usually just have to cycle power
to restart, Good luck going to Start,. Shut Down, Restart, maybe if you have an hour to wait.
Probably just need a new system but DO NOT want Windows 8 or 7, my oledr programs will not run.
I have heard nothing good about 8, but plenty of bad!

I guess I have to reload Windows before doing this image, I do not want an image of what I have now!

That would give you the best results.

Some installers do allow you to specify the installation location so for such applications you could install the files to another drive or partition however since most programs installed on windows store settings in the registry a reinstall of windows would require a reinstall of the programs. Now as mentioned restoring from an image won't require a reinstall of your programs. Really though we should help you figure out what the problem is and fix it. If you are still having issues after a fresh install of Vista more than likely your problem is hardware related.

Towns, While yes you can change the install directory, he wants to do a reinstall of vista without reinstalling the programs, which won't work.

As everone said, do an image and restore your image.

I'm wondering if you have bad ram maybe that corrupts your running windows. Have you checked yhour memory at all?
It wouldn' hurt to d/l the usb version of memtest and let it run.
Grab the obne that says NEW
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

I am with Patonb with this, as soon as I had a look at your post I thought Hardware. With the memtest tool you can test your system before windows boots, this is useful as it takes the OS out of the equation. Please let us know how you get on so we can solve the main problem and not the symptom.

Just note that when you direct the installer to install the program files on another partition/drive, you have to image that partition too. Else you will lose those 'outboard' programs during a recovery. I think you are better advised to keep everything on C:\.