Installing multiple instances of cygwin in Windows XP

When I was doing my research, I wanted to install two instances of cygwin to ease the job. I found some tips in a website and modified them to suite my needs. Though I do not remember the original idea's link, I would like to share the mine.
1. Install the first instance of cygwin in a partition.

2. The installation makes the following registry entries.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions\Cygwin]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions\Cygwin\mounts v2]

"cygdrive prefix"="/cygdrive"

"cygdrive flags"=dword:00000022

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions\Cygwin\mounts v2\/]

"native"="C:\\hide-cygwin"

"flags"=dword:0000000a

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions\Cygwin\mounts v2\/usr/bin]

"native"="C:\\hide-cygwin/bin"

"flags"=dword:0000000a

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions\Cygwin\mounts v2\/usr/lib]

"native"="C:\\hide-cygwin/lib"

"flags"=dword:0000000a

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions\Cygwin\Program Options]

3. Export the registry tree of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions. If help is needed with exporting registry, refer to this link.

4. Then copy cygwin installation folder to another location (partition), and make a copy of the exported registry file. Open the copied registry file and change the contents to reflect the partition change.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions\Cygwin]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions\Cygwin\mounts v2]
"cygdrive prefix"="/cygdrive"
"cygdrive flags"=dword:00000022

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions\Cygwin\mounts v2\/]
"native"="D:\\cyg2win"
"flags"=dword:0000000a

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions\Cygwin\mounts v2\/usr/bin]
"native"="D:\\cyg2win/bin"
"flags"=dword:0000000a

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions\Cygwin\mounts v2\/usr/lib]
"native"="D:\\cyg2win/lib"
"flags"=dword:0000000a

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions\Cygwin\Program Options]

5. Now I have 2 exported registry files. And I am going to create 2 shortcuts to bash binary file like this, C:\hide-cygwin\bin\bash.exe --login -i. And another shortcut pointing to D:\cyg2win\bin\bash.exe --login -i.

6. Finally, the cygwin instances can be run successfully. When one of them is about to run, the related registry file needs to be applied. Otherwise, bash would have problems.


Disclaimer: I am not saying this is the best solution. At least it solved my problem.

David Soul - Don't give up on us

I just watched Johnny English Reborn and heard this song in it. The song only lasts 10~20 seconds in the movie. However, it was so unforgettable that I looked for it in the web and found the following youtube clip. As I am in love with it, I'd post to share it with others. Cheers.


Don't give up on us by David Soul


Below is the trailer of Johnny English Reborn.

Just some songs

For the time being, I just want to listen to the following songs. They are my favourites since I was young. Still they are perfect and mean a lot to me.

Westlife - My love HD


Michael Learns to Rock - Take me to your heart