I like to put program files, documents & settings, windows, temp and swap on separate drives. I know how to accomplish this after an installation using the following for program files for example:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion]

"ProgramFilesDir"="p:\\pgms"

"CommonFilesDir"="p:\\pgms\\Common Files"

However early-on in the installation, these logical drive letters have not yet been assigned. Would the syntax below work?

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion]

"ProgramFilesDir"="multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(4)\\pgms"

"CommonFilesDir"="multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(4)\\pgms\\Common Files"

If not, any ideas?

Look into this registry thread

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

After configuring the folders as you like, just export the thread, and then import it during the install. Certainly, the target drive should exist on the PC where you perform the installation.

1. You don't need registry for this, its do-able from winnt.sif values - http://unattended.msfn.org/xp/reference.htm

2. Drive-letters such as "P:\" already exists at text-mode setup itself - so no need for raw specifying [like multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(4)].

Hey Pra...

Is there a winnt setting for the docs and settings too by chance? Havent been able to track one down.

Huh?

The linked page above has exactly that and more!

[GuiUnattended]
ProfilesDir="C:\Documents and Settings\"
You can change the default location of Documents and Settings using this entry.

um... yea. I knew that. Just making sure you were still paying attention.

Thanks for the correction, prathapml. I misunderstood the initial question. My answer relates to the User Shell Folders, and would be valid in a case when someone wants, say, to stick with the profile stored in C:\Documents and Settings\, but have My Documents folder with all precious and multi-GB data on another logical or physical drive.

I think you may be looking for something along these lines...

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=35075

Thank you all very much. This is most helpful.

I previously didn't see the settings for the program files and documents and settings in the sif file.

then the link below provided an easy way to assign drive letters.

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=10905&st=0

Thanks to all again.