Windows 98 on CD

Step Five: Relocation

a.       Run coa2to change address of:

1. windows directory – change from d:\windows (or wherever you put it) to x:\windows

2. Program files directory – change from d:\Program Files (or whever you put it) to x:\program files

Be CAREFUL when you do this; you can’t merely substitute X: for C: because COA2 would substitute all the shortcuts on your main OS and they would cease to function. This is major trouble. If you have gotten to this point but cannot substitute without botching up other OS shortcuts, reinstall in different directories. It’s worth the trouble of not frying the other OS.

b.      Whichever program you use for internet access, set up the cache to drive x:  you may have to do this after initially making your archives and running windows from the RamDisk – many programs don’t like to accept unavailable locations.

c.       In case you can’t find coa2 without paying PCMag (do searches on google or on filesearching.com for coa2.exe and you’ll find it sooner or later, or else pay the $5 or whatever it costs for three downloads, pick this one up along with Multiple Rename and then anything of your choice) for what they gave away for free until a few months ago, you can do the following.  This is a bit lengthier procedure, and it’s a nice trick that Microsoft built into regedit.

a.       In dos, run regedit /L:system.tat /R:user.dat /E registry.reg

b.      Edit registry.reg, replacing “c:\” or d:\ or whever the system was originally installed, with “x:\”

c.       Rename system.tat system.bak and user.dat user.bak

d.      Run regedit /C registry.reg /L:system.tat /R:user.dat

e.       On first run of windows from ramdisk, manually repair all shortcuts

d.      Coa2, although it’s a great tool, misses about 4 or 5 registry keys.  Run regedit, do a search for your original install directory, and then replace the drive with drive X.  The location for these keys should be in HKEY_Local_Machine/software/Microsoft/windows/currentversion but do a full search just to be sure. Alternatively, try this .reg file which will make those last changes to drive x: for you changetox.reg

e.       Edit system.ini and change the virtual memory to 5000 KB on drive X. this will take care of minimum swap file usage (like for winamp which won’t run without a swap file) while conserving memory. You could actually use 2000 KB if you’re feeling lucky.