-
An Active External Drive Can Disrupt the Install of Applications on the Main Hard Drive
By Bienvenu-Magloire QUENUM
The Master File Table or MFT is the place where information about every file and directory on an NTFS volume is stored. The MFT is in essence a relational database table, containing various attributes about different files. It acts as the "starting point" and central management feature of an NTFS volume--sort of a "table of contents" for the volume, if you will. It is somewhat analog to the file allocation table in a FAT partition, but is much more than just a list of used and available clusters. [Source]
And according to Microsoft experts, NTFS uses MFT entries to define the files to which they correspond. All information about a file, including its size, time and date stamps, permissions, and data content is either stored in MFT entries or in space external to the MFT but described by the MFT entries.[Source]
In short, this means that during an installation process, the application would be searching for its allocation $Mtf in the MTF database. And if that allocation file $Mtf, is on an external drive, and the installation folder on the main internal hard drive (c:\ for example), the install process may be disrupted, because the application cannot find the $Mtf file on the main hard drive.
In other words, if the install is initiated inside an external hard drive -that is the application .exe file is clicked inside an external drive, the allocation in MTF database - labeled $Mtf, will be created inside a folder located on the external drive.
Therefore this $Mtf file would not be available on the main hard drive (c:/ for example) where the application's installation folder is located.
Consequently, the install process may be disrupted and stop altogether.
When that happens, the system shows a message that the install cannot proceed on. Carefully read said message to see if mention is made of a $Mtf file.
There is a turnaround though to troubleshoot and fully implement the install process.
- Turn off or disconnect the external drive
The right thing to do is to turn off the external drive, and initiate the install from inside the main internal drive (c:/). Transfer the exe file to the internal hard drive if necessary.
Sometimes, however, turning off the culprit external drive is not enough because the file still refers to $Mtf located on the external drive. So, you may need to disconnect culprit USB-connected external drive, to proceed with the install.
If you are using Vista operating brand, there is a proprietary device that assists removing / stopping external (USB connected) drive. XP also has a device to do the same, but it is a bit confusing, not clearly identifying the external drives connected to the system. Amongst several applications available out there on the Wild World Web, this third party device is a must have - if you can afford shedding off few bucks.
- The absence of Microsoft Installer can also be the reason
Sometimes, when one reinstalls Windows, Microsoft Installer Application may be missing, and that also can disrupt install of applications. So, if above hints and advises fail to solve installation's troubles on your system, check out this file on microsoft.com - and take action accordingly.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Bienvenu-Magloire Quenum is a Business Planner/ the principal of Dr. Quenum & Associates, IBC. He accumulated a vast computing experience dating back to the late mid 1980s, and is sharing it with visitors to this site since 1997. You may request assistance for day-to-day computing tips login to the support board available at this link. And thanks you for visiting the Control your Desktop section of Africabiz Online.
-
CLEAN, OPTIMIZE, WIN SPACE ON YOUR SYSTEM WITH WINMATE
The more you surf the Internet, the more you download and install applications and update your operating system with Windows patches, the more your hard disk amass "dirt"; that is backup files, left over remains of patches, temporary files that swamp the hard disk, and left over Dynamic Link Library - DLL files in the registry from deleted applications, which slow down your computer.
So, one needs from time to time to make some clean-up to keep the system running smoothly. Not doing that can bog down your computer to becoming a snail-system, loading extremely slowly at start-up and making the loading of an application an up-hill battle.
There are out there, in the Wild World Web hundred of applications to do a perfect clean-up. You need to shed some bucks for the most efficient ones such as Rezooka. Some are free like Ccleaner, Advance System Care, and WinMate
The last listed is really a must that does the job like a paid client, to the perfection of optimizing your system. It has everything and a bunch of general tools. The only thing missing is the Registration defragmenter tool, that Rezooka, and Advanced System Care Pro have.
When using IE Tools in WinMate, you may have following warning, IE Default Title changed - listed in the right panel.
That means your home page had been changed. If that was done purposely by yourself, choosing a home page of your own, departing from the one delivered by default by Internet Explorer, you need not to take action on that particular problem signaled by WinMate.
If you have not done so, you may take action, recovering your original home page and making sure a stealth change of your home page ever occur again, using an appropriate Antispyware client that blocks and protects your home page.
Bookmark
this page (link valid for Internet Explorer - for
other web browsers, please Click Bookmark on
the browser menu) and come back often to visit. Stay tune to
Products Sourcing From China.
.
-
