adding features via add/remove box

Hello- I'm running Windows 98SE. When I add features via the add/remove programs box/windows setup, I'm always prompted to insert my Windows98SE CD so that Windows can copy the necessary files. I have it, but would prefer to instruct Windows to search my hard drive first,since most of the time I type the path in ( C:\WINDOWS\win98) to avoid having to insert the CD. I believe there is a way to do it, but don't know what it is. Thank you for any advice you can give me,and thank you for allowing me to join your group. I've checked it out many times before and everyone is so very helpful. Thanks!

 

Hi and welcome to the boards.

Edit the SourcePath Type in the registry to direct windows install to the Win98 install files on your hard drive. (This assumes that you HAVE the Win98 install files on the HD. If not you will have to copy them their from your CD.

The place to go to in the Registry is:

HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup
and look for a line called SourcePath Type and edit the line to reflect the new location you have just setup. eg C:\Windows\Win98\

Don't forget to backup your current Registry first.

 

in the registry

Thanks for the help John. Unfortunately, I'm still adrift. I navigated fine down to the Setup file,opened it, and found no string named SourcePath Type. There is a SourcePath but it has an extremely lengthy value in binary form. There is also a string (I believe that's the correct term), InstallPath Type and it has only an eight digit binary value but I was hesitant to go mucking around with it until I reposted. I also created a new string value named SourcePath Type ( with and without the space) and as a value entered, C:\WINDOWS\win98 which is what I type in the dialog box when Windows asks me for the path to follow to the installation files so that it can copy the necessary information. I tried it with and without the space, rebooted after entering it and after each change, but Windows still looks to the D drive first. Any more thoughts? Thanks in advance, Clydeo22.

 

Sorry may have given slightly wrong info as I copied from a previous post. The key is:

HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

click on "Setup" and the string to look for under ....\Setup is "SourcePath" not "SourcePath Type ". You should see the path to your CD drive under the data column. Change to where you want it to go.

 

back in the registry

Thanks for hanging in there with me John. The SourcePath string is the one with the imposingly long binary value that I alluded to in my last post. When I right-click SourcePath and select Modify, the value appears in a 4" x 4" box with a scroll bar! And try as I may, I can't find anything that has a path to my CD drive (D) in the Setup folder by any name. Maybe I'll just have to learn to live with it. Thanks for your assistance and post any other ideas you might have about this. Thank you, Clydeo22.

 

Well, that's weird It should only have the path to your Win install CD or Directory. Are you sure you are in the right HKEY??

You are running "Regedit" and drilling down to the HKEY that way?

In my registry under the Name column is "SourcePath" and under the Data column is "C:\WIN98SE" which is where my setup files are located on the HD. Nothing else, even when I open the modify box.

 

Re: the post which had SourcePath Type. That was mine and the the correction made by JohnB is correct ie SourcePath...not SourcePath Type..
Thanks for the pickup JohnB. I have corrected my post so others don't get incorrect info...

 

Strange but true

Hi Again- I'm drilling down just the way you're telling me, John. I've done it five separate times just to make sure. The only thing that would be close would be something called: OLSSrcPath with a value "C:WINDOWS\win98\ols ". I've checked a few online computer dictionaries but haven't been able to find out what "ols" is. I guess that entry would be my last hope should it turn out to be what we're looking for. Thanks much for your persistence. Clydeo22. P.S. I'm probably spending far more time on this than I would ever spend just inserting the darn CD when asked to.

 

Well you're definately in the right part of the registry. SourcePath should be about four lines below OLSSrcPath. It is in my registry at any rate. Have you done a "Find" for SourcePath. If not run regedit, on the menu bar go to Edit>Find and type in "SourcePath" (no quotes) in the Find What box and see what it comes up with. If it fines SourcePath and it is not in the HKEY we are talking about, hit F3 and let it keep in searching until it finds all the SourcePath's and tell you the search is finished. When find find's an item the HKEY location will be on the status bar at the bottom of the registry editor window.

 

Hi John- I can find the string without a whole lot of trouble, thanks to you, but it has that massive binary value instead of something like D:\Windows 98SE. Any other Source Path entry is in Office and doesn't look like it applies. Unless you have any other ideas, why don't we let this go? I didn't think it would be this much of a nightmare for anyone willing to help me. So , let me know and I appreciate all your help plus I'm learning a lot about the registry! Clydeo22.