Changing DVD Builder Default File Locations

[Jerry-J]

My SONY Vaio computer came partioned from the factory with the 100G hard drive only allocating 15G to C:. This has been a constant maintenance problem but I have managed to maintain around 3G to 4G of free space on C:. I have tried to redirect every Roxio file loaction I can (audio, narrative, and ISO copy) but when I try to burn a project in DVD Builder I get an error message that I have run out of space in C: drive. I then need to manually go into C:\Documents and Settings\Application Data\Roxio\DVD Builder 7.0 and delete the 4G file that was generated there during the attempted burn. In the burn dialog box I selected the backup ISO to be generated to a folder in E: drive.

 

Eventually I need to reformat or repartition (buy Partition Magic or similar) but until then isn't there a way to control where Roxio 7.5 (with update) is generating these files?

 

OS = WIN XP Home (with all updates)

IE = Ver 6.0 (had to uninstall IE7 to resolve other Roxio issues)

Intel Pentium 4 (2.8 ghz)

C: = 15G D:= 80G (same physical drive)

E: = 120G (2nd physical hard drive)

 

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks

Jerry in WA State

[gi7omy]

Open the DVD Builder and go to Tools and Options.

 

I have EMC9 installed here but to the best of my remembrance, there should be a setting for the default folders (I know 9 has it)

[Merv]

Jerry-J,

 

I have a Sony Vaio PCV-RS430G. "Been there and done that" with everything you have written. I finally invested in Acronis Disk Director Suite that allowed me to resize my C: drive from 15 to 35 gig, the additional 20 gig coming from the D: drive (same physical drive). The process completed without a problem with no loss of any program functionality, maintaining the recovery partition, and I now have a C: drive that has plenty of free space. Note, I keep no data files on the C: drive, only programs and the standard Windows stuff.

 

I highly recommend Acronis Disk Director Suite. I bought it from newegg.com for $32. For me, it was well worth the money. However, I would give Paul's suggested freeware a look before buying anything. I was not aware of it before I purchased the Acronis product.

 

I know this does not directly solve your problem, but hopefully gives you another option.

 

I am curious if Sony will provide the OS disc if you contact them? Dell was playing the HD recovery partition game for a while but would send the disc if requested.

 

Hi, James,

 

At least in my case, the answer from Sony was a definitive NO, they would not provide the OS disc. As a matter of fact, I wanted to buy the recovery CD set, but it is not available for my Vaio model. Fortunately, I had made a set of recovery CDs on my own that thankfully worked when I needed to use them.

 

I like my Sony and it has served me well. But I have found their support to be somewhat lacking.

[Jerry-J]

Unfortunately there is no Options under the Tools menu on version 7.5. The only option I have seen in DVD Builder is the after the Burn button is toggled, the Burn Setup dialog box allows you and option to save an image file and set the location (which I set to E:).

 

Thanks

[Guest ml]

.

 

Not sure what they are doing today…

 

According to the Sony website, you can create backup recovery CDs from the backup partition or purchase them from Sony. They include a caution that they will restore the computer to 'like new' and won't backup any programs or files that you installed.

[Jerry-J]

According to the Sony website, you can create backup recovery CDs from the backup partition or purchase them from Sony. They include a caution that they will restore the computer to 'like new' and won't backup any programs or files that you installed.

 

When I contacted SONY support for advice they supplied a rationale that the drive was partioned to prevent people from inadvertently generating large video files that would fill the drive and impact the operation of the Windows OS. I found it ironic that by making C: drive so small they made it much more likely for this to happen. On the other hand they gave me a canned file for advice on freeing space on C: which really offerred no new advice and provided the following warning:

 

WARNING: Altering the size of hard drive partitions, or combining

them into a single partition, will erase the data on BOTH

partitions. Although some third-party software manufacturers

sell partition editing software which claims to edit partition

tables without data loss, SONY does not offer or endorse this

software. SONY can neither recommend nor endorse any third-

party software products for use with your PC. SONY does not

and cannot make any warranty or representation with respect to

the performance, suitability or compatibility of any product

manufactured by third-parties.

 

So much for building brand loyalty.

[Guest ml]

Not that it will make you feel any better..... but

 

When I bought my Sony a few years ago, they had it partitioned into a much smaller hard drive than what you have.

 

Their theory is good. It's just that they didn't accurately predict how much room you'd need on the c:\ drive.

 

There are a lot of good partitioning software programs out there. Look for recommendations from computer magazines and you should be ok.

[Beerman]

Not that it will make you feel any better..... but

 

When I bought my Sony a few years ago, they had it partitioned into a much smaller hard drive than what you have.

 

Their theory is good. It's just that they didn't accurately predict how much room you'd need on the c:\ drive.

 

There are a lot of good partitioning software programs out there. Look for recommendations from computer magazines and you should be ok.

I love Partition Magic and Acronis but there are free partitioning programs out there that you install on floppy or cd and use to boot up. Not as intuitive but they work. You can find one here.

I've had to go back and resize my C partition a few times as I didn't give it enough space. Those MS updates keep growing. While there is always a chance of lost data, I suggest you backup or image your partitions first just in case.

[gi7omy]

For a short term fix, go to the start menu and right click on 'My Documents'

 

Go to properties and change the drive letter from C to D - it will then ask you if you want to move your files - say 'yes' and it will shift the whole thing to the D drive.

 

I can't understand why computer makers are doing this these days (making small C partitions). I had to repair one recently that didn't have enough room on it to swing a cat

[james_hardin]

It is not available in V7 Builder. It is there for Classic but that will not be much help.

 

If it were mine, I would consider a partitioning program to put things the way I like them or even reformatting the drive.

[Guest ml]

...... or even reformatting the drive.

 

That's what I ended up doing with my Sony that had a very small main partition and a large partition for the video files.

 

I'm not sure how you do that with the newer Sony's though because they have a 'recovery partition' on the main drive and no backup Recover CDs.

 

A partitioning program might be the best solution. Just make certain you don't delete your 'recovery partition' portion of the drive.

[james_hardin]

Thanks ml.

 

It is a shame one would need to spend $40 to $50 on a program to fix up new PC.

 

I am curious if Sony will provide the OS disc if you contact them? Dell was playing the HD recovery partition game for a while but would send the disc if requested.

 

Not sure what they are doing today…

[Jerry-J]

I had previously redirected the "My Documents" folder to D: drive but unfortunately the Roxio file is being generated in the "Documents and Settings" folder which does not allow the drive change (at least I don't see this option in the properties dialog box)

 

Thanks

Jerry