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I read in a post that u can install the postgresql files on the c drive but use a separate drive for putting data on it but didnt quite understand how to do this. I now have 2 postgresql installations on two separate drives other than the c drive. AM jsut trying to make my databses as fast as possible. WHen i installed both 8.2 and 8.3 i changed the installation directory to those drives i wanted them on. SO if this is true i can install the postgresql program on c drive but keep teh cluster adn data on other drive how is this exactly achieved as i remember years ago i wanted to do this but it wasnt an option. Also will this really help my postgresql performance.

This link (viewtopic.php?f=17&t=526) is in the Database / Postgres FAQ.
It is possible, but you have to set something up manually for each database you create.
You can also just install postgres on another drive.

right now i do have psotgresql 8.3 installed on a separate drive otehr than c and 8.2 installed on another separate drive other than c. I read that u can install postgres on c drive while having the cluster(data) on a different drive. DOes this improve perforamance by any means doing this as opposed to just having everything installed on otehr drive other than c.

I don't really know the details - I think the theory is that you get the best performance if you have the actual database data on a drive which has nothing else on it at all, including the postgres installation, so that postgres has free reign to organise the files how it likes without anything else getting in the way or rearranging the contents of the disk.
I don't know just how much improvement this would give, though.

ok thanks dave. i read that this was for 8.2 and for xp pro which i understand in vista i would really jsut follow the same jsut changing file permissions in vista is slightly different but really the same would apply. so for 8.3 is it any different. btw thanks for ur help in this issue and others.HAs been a couple years since i have educated myself in postgresql configs.

No, I think that's a general principle across databases.
It's true for any application really, but since databases are all about lots of disk reading and writing this is where you'd get the most benefit from a dedicated disk.