I am sure that there is a simple solution to this problem that I have potentially created for myself. Initially, I had installed the BOINC software on one 500 GB external drive with the files running on another 1 TB external drive, because I am using an old Dell desktop with Xp Pro. My thinking was to preserve my program files as retrievable in the event the desktop failed to function. Since I initially set up the configuration of this system, I had subsequently moved the BOINC software over to the 1 TB external drive due to the removal of the 500 GB drive for use on my PlayStation 3 unit. So that is the history that leads up to this problem.

Now I am unable to initiate the download upgrade due to the upgrade program automatically seeking the BOINC on the external hard drive that no longer exists. The program is not allowing me to guide it to the new location on the 1 TB external hard drive, but simply states the original drive does not exist and shuts down.

Do I have to erase everything and start fresh with a totally new file, thus losing anything that is on my hard drive related to finished work? Is there an upgrade file that I can download that will permit me to lead it to the new file locations? I can't do anything until I get some form of answer to this problem, so assistance would be appreciated.

Please check options at this BOINC FAQ.
The program path is stored in the registry, at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Space Sciences Laboratory, U.C. Berkeley\BOINC Setup, called INSTALLDIR

Change that if necessary to the new path of the Program directory.
And next time, just easily uninstall BOINC and reinstall it, then in the third screen in the installer, click Advanced, change the path to the programs directory and continue the installation.


(P.S: I am using the screen grabs of the BOINC FAQ that shows how to install BOINC as a service. I didn't mean to say you need to check those, it only shows what's behind door number 5).

---

Jord,

Please refer to trac ticket [trac]#815[/trac]: if the previous installation was on a drive letter which doesn't exist on the system any more, the installer (as of v6.4.5, four years ago) doesn't even get started.

Bruce,

There's a workround under my name at comment #6 in that ticket. Or see if you can set up a mapped drive using the drive letter of the old 500 GB drive, pointing somewhere - anywhere - that has some genuine online storage available. Judging by the ticket comments, it has to be a local drive, not network, but maybe a simple USB stick would be enough to let the setup program start?

Assistance greatly appreciated. Although I felt a bit skiddish touching the registry, the instructions provided were spot on. Up and running as I type this now. I do not know if the system recognizes the downloaded files for the previous version that was running, the amount of space on a 1 TB hard drive can certainly afford to permit those files to live in perpetuity as a graveyard memory for the previous version, if never recognized. Once again, thanks for assisting my closet geek.