Robert_
asked on
Can I install programs on my cd-burner?
I don't know were this question fits in so I decided to ask it here.
What I would like to know is: Is it possible to install programs to a CD-R instead of on the hard drive? And if it is how do I go about doing it. I have a HP Surestore 8210i with Adaptec Easy Cd creator if that makes any difference. I'm suspecting that it is impossible since most programs installs at least one file to the c:\windows catalog and or other system catalogs. But there must be some way to fix that, right? Patches, tweaking with the registry?
All suggestions are welcome
Robert
What I would like to know is: Is it possible to install programs to a CD-R instead of on the hard drive? And if it is how do I go about doing it. I have a HP Surestore 8210i with Adaptec Easy Cd creator if that makes any difference. I'm suspecting that it is impossible since most programs installs at least one file to the c:\windows catalog and or other system catalogs. But there must be some way to fix that, right? Patches, tweaking with the registry?
All suggestions are welcome
Robert
Is it possible to install programs to a CD-R instead of on the hard drive?
This would depend on the program, if you are installing a program that does not need to write back to the installation folder (like a saved game) then yes you can install programs to a CDR, but like you mentioned it would still have some files installed to Windoze. This would prevent you from simply taking the CD and playing it on another computer without installing it on the second computer too.
If you have a program that has "self-contained" files in the same folder then this may work just fine, but very few of the newer programs will do this. I have a few programs like this that I have stored on a zip disk that I can use in another computer without installing, they are self contained utility programs.
This would depend on the program, if you are installing a program that does not need to write back to the installation folder (like a saved game) then yes you can install programs to a CDR, but like you mentioned it would still have some files installed to Windoze. This would prevent you from simply taking the CD and playing it on another computer without installing it on the second computer too.
If you have a program that has "self-contained" files in the same folder then this may work just fine, but very few of the newer programs will do this. I have a few programs like this that I have stored on a zip disk that I can use in another computer without installing, they are self contained utility programs.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
sorry i meant 10 dollars per gigabyte, but still. you get the point
rtheriot
DUHH! Right you are, I was thinking about when I installed to the zip disk, but this does not require a program to be running to write to it, and like you stated the CDR does require a program to write to it.
Only option I can see that may work is to install into a folder on the HD then move the folder to the CDR, making sure to edit the shortcut if there is one.
DUHH! Right you are, I was thinking about when I installed to the zip disk, but this does not require a program to be running to write to it, and like you stated the CDR does require a program to write to it.
Only option I can see that may work is to install into a folder on the HD then move the folder to the CDR, making sure to edit the shortcut if there is one.
You can not install it because of the reasons provided by rheriot (great!) + in addition:
Most progs require some space on HD to store saved files
Well, shared files will still have to go to windows or system directories
Well, if the prog does not have shared files, shortcuts (even them you can change) registry entries, etc. then you CAN install it on HD, copy to CD and run it, but in most cases its not worth it (speed, reliability considerations, comfortability considerations). I would suggest to buy extra HD or upgrade existing one.
Most progs require some space on HD to store saved files
Well, shared files will still have to go to windows or system directories
Well, if the prog does not have shared files, shortcuts (even them you can change) registry entries, etc. then you CAN install it on HD, copy to CD and run it, but in most cases its not worth it (speed, reliability considerations, comfortability considerations). I would suggest to buy extra HD or upgrade existing one.
GEM100
GOOD JOB!!
You have taken the comments above and posted as the answer, you have not added anything new to the solution, but said the above comments were correct.
Does that qualify you to take the credit for the answer???
OR does that make you an answer stealer or a points hound???
Name: First Login:
GEM100 5/04/00
GOOD JOB!!
You have taken the comments above and posted as the answer, you have not added anything new to the solution, but said the above comments were correct.
Does that qualify you to take the credit for the answer???
OR does that make you an answer stealer or a points hound???
Name: First Login:
GEM100 5/04/00
GEM100
You have the option to change the proposed answer to a comment, please do that.
Robert
You should reject the proposed answer since it adds no new info, only takes what had already been posted.
You have the option to change the proposed answer to a comment, please do that.
Robert
You should reject the proposed answer since it adds no new info, only takes what had already been posted.
I think you migh be able to do SO.. if you install Adaptect Direct-CD.. and have a good rewriteble cd... and for the tweaking thing,, just find you files in you windose registry and export it within you installation file..
so too run you program on other PC just add the registry line by clicking on it...
Try it and let me know if it work :)
Satanoss
so too run you program on other PC just add the registry line by clicking on it...
Try it and let me know if it work :)
Satanoss
I know Satanoss has Quake2 installed on a CD and he plays it from any PC without installing it over and over.
the only thing is he can`t save his games.
BTW, Satanoss is a friend of mine for those wondering =).
the only thing is he can`t save his games.
BTW, Satanoss is a friend of mine for those wondering =).
ASKER
I suspected that...
But hey, I had to try, right? Anyways thanks to everebody. I just love this place! You always get your answers in no time, and most of the answers are really good to.
Regards
Robert
But hey, I had to try, right? Anyways thanks to everebody. I just love this place! You always get your answers in no time, and most of the answers are really good to.
Regards
Robert
rayt333: if you noticed, there were NEW comments in my answer.
GEM100
A ferw words maybe, but still the basic proposed answer was the same as ealier comments, even the questioner thought so and rejected your answer. Let this be a learning experience for you and quit using any part of an ealier comment as your proposed answer, post only comments is the best way anyway, this will keep the question open and when the problem is solved then the questioner can decide who help the most or provided the best info to help solve their problem.
Ray
A ferw words maybe, but still the basic proposed answer was the same as ealier comments, even the questioner thought so and rejected your answer. Let this be a learning experience for you and quit using any part of an ealier comment as your proposed answer, post only comments is the best way anyway, this will keep the question open and when the problem is solved then the questioner can decide who help the most or provided the best info to help solve their problem.
Ray
If you have installed Adaptec DirectCD you can access any CDRW, so you can have non system programs installed there.
You are right about that some programs install files in windows directory, you can't do much to avoid that.
If you're talking about use standard CDR, there are some programs that can be installed, but others don't because some programs need to modify configuration files.