Changing drive letters

When installing an Iomega Zip drive, it takes the place of my CD-ROM. Why
would that be and is there a way to change drive letters in Windows without
compromising the system?
Just curious, because I have two drives with that particular habit.

Harry, old and inquisitive.

Harry,

Since both are removable devices the allocated drive letter for these two
devices is easily changed using the Device Manager. You will find the
option that allows you to change the Drive Letter on the Settings tab of
the Properties sheet for each of these devices. Change them to suit your
requirements. FYI I have always used Z for Zip drives (and J for Jaz). I
also tend to keep my CD/DVD drive letters well away from my hard drive
letters. I suspect the problem arose because the CD drive letter was
being automatically assigned rather than having had its drive letter
allocated in the Device Manager and that the newly added Zip drive is
enumerating before the CD/DVD drive.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP [2001-2004]



Webster72n wrote:

When installing an Iomega Zip drive, it takes the place of my CD-ROM.
Why would that be and is there a way to change drive letters in
Windows without compromising the system?
Just curious, because I have two drives with that particular habit.

I was hesitant to ask this question, Mike.
Now that I have, I am glad that I did.
Your answer makes all the difference to me in handling this particular
problem.
Is it possible to just remove the current Zip Drive and replace it with one
of those troublesome drives, without uninstalling any software, since there
isn't any?
Thank you, Mike, for your help.

Harry, old and trying to make things work.


"Mike M" wrote in message
...
Harry,

Since both are removable devices the allocated drive letter for these two
devices is easily changed using the Device Manager. You will find the
option that allows you to change the Drive Letter on the Settings tab of
the Properties sheet for each of these devices. Change them to suit your
requirements. FYI I have always used Z for Zip drives (and J for Jaz). I
also tend to keep my CD/DVD drive letters well away from my hard drive
letters. I suspect the problem arose because the CD drive letter was
being automatically assigned rather than having had its drive letter
allocated in the Device Manager and that the newly added Zip drive is
enumerating before the CD/DVD drive.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP [2001-2004]



Webster72n wrote:

When installing an Iomega Zip drive, it takes the place of my CD-ROM.
Why would that be and is there a way to change drive letters in
Windows without compromising the system?
Just curious, because I have two drives with that particular habit.

Is it possible to just remove the current Zip Drive and replace it
with one of those troublesome drives, without uninstalling any
software, since there isn't any?

Sorry Harry, but I haven't a clue what you are referring to here.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP [2001-2004]



Webster72n wrote:

I was hesitant to ask this question, Mike.
Now that I have, I am glad that I did.
Your answer makes all the difference to me in handling this particular
problem.
Is it possible to just remove the current Zip Drive and replace it
with one of those troublesome drives, without uninstalling any
software, since there isn't any?
Thank you, Mike, for your help.

I have two other Zip Drives, besides the one in use, which I thought were
bad, but maybe aren't. When I installed them, they took the place of my
CD-ROM, hence my question about changing drive letters and whether it would
be allright to just switch with my current Zip Drive, if I wanted to.
One of the drives I bought over the internet and planned to return. If the
drive is working allright, I will have to pay a 15% stocking fee. In that
case I would rather keep it.
That's the whole story behind my inquiries, Mike.
Bear in mind, those two drives in question are only $15.00 apiece and the
one in use is even less ($8.00), but that is in no way any reflection on
their quality.
Does everything make sense to you now, Mike?

Harry, old but keeps trying.


"Mike M" wrote in message
...
Is it possible to just remove the current Zip Drive and replace it
with one of those troublesome drives, without uninstalling any
software, since there isn't any?

Sorry Harry, but I haven't a clue what you are referring to here.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP [2001-2004]



Webster72n wrote:

I was hesitant to ask this question, Mike.
Now that I have, I am glad that I did.
Your answer makes all the difference to me in handling this particular
problem.
Is it possible to just remove the current Zip Drive and replace it
with one of those troublesome drives, without uninstalling any
software, since there isn't any?
Thank you, Mike, for your help.

Ah! Light dawns. I didn't realise that you were referring to three
different Zip drives one or two of which might be "bad". Thanks for that
clarification Harry. :-)
--
Mike


Webster72n wrote:

I have two other Zip Drives, besides the one in use, which I thought
were bad, but maybe aren't. When I installed them, they took the
place of my CD-ROM, hence my question about changing drive letters
and whether it would be allright to just switch with my current Zip
Drive, if I wanted to.
One of the drives I bought over the internet and planned to return.
If the drive is working allright, I will have to pay a 15% stocking
fee. In that case I would rather keep it.
That's the whole story behind my inquiries, Mike.
Bear in mind, those two drives in question are only $15.00 apiece and
the one in use is even less ($8.00), but that is in no way any
reflection on their quality.
Does everything make sense to you now, Mike?