General recommendations re:partitioning hard drive?

[optech290]

I know this topic has been discussed ad infinitum on every computer forum
and in most of the computer newsgroups, but I seem to constantly read the
pros and cons of partitioning yet there's very little agreement on either
side.


I'm in favor of if (and for as many partitions as reasonably possible).
Here's my main reasons:

AV/anti-spyware scanning, backups, defrags,and file searches are alot
faster when you can do them piecemeal. I also like knowing that my data
files are on one partition, and audio and video are on another.
I've also read interesting opinions about putting the pagefile.sys swap
file on it's own partition, along with the Temp files in in Documents and
Settings.


Questions:

1) That said, is it feasible to have the XP OS and the program files on
different partitions? Can programs like Ghost, Acronis, or Partition-
saving.com's freeware utility create an image of several partitions at
once?

2) I'm not in favor of several primary partitions (one primary and and the
exended with the 3 or 4 logical drives is enough). However, I was
wondering if anyone thinks it's silly to create a Dos partition for
booting up in case of emergency (and so I can run some very old financial
utilities I used to like!)

3) Best utility for partitioning? Partition magic or just use the latest
Fdisk utility for larger drives and let the XP disk do the formatting?
The alternative would be to download the partitioning tools from the hd
manufacturer (WD's Dataguard, Seagate's Disk Wizard or some other hd
manufacturer depending on the model).

4) Best way of cleaning the hard drive (assuming loss of data is not a
concern). In the past I've just run an unconditional reformat command
(format c:/u) after deleting the partitions using Fdisk.
I just like a pristine drive before partitioning and running the XP OS
disk. Would copywipe or any other freeware utility do the same job?

 

[JS]

There is nothing wrong with having more than one partition, especially if
you store your data files on a separate partition. You will get differing
views about the pagefile and applications being located on a separate
partition. In my opinion if you have a large hard drive (300+ GB) and the C:
partition is say 30GB and Windows is installed on C, and the second
partition is used for the pagefile, it (the pagefile) will still be located
near the beginning of the hard disk an no perceptible lose in accessing the
pagefile will be seen, the only downside is if you should have a system
crash in which case no memory dump file will created.

JS

 

[John]

I know this topic has been discussed ad infinitum on every computer forum
and in most of the computer newsgroups, but I seem to constantly read the
pros and cons of partitioning yet there's very little agreement on either
side.


I'm in favor of if (and for as many partitions as reasonably possible).
Here's my main reasons:

AV/anti-spyware scanning, backups, defrags,and file searches are alot
faster when you can do them piecemeal. I also like knowing that my data
files are on one partition, and audio and video are on another.
I've also read interesting opinions about putting the pagefile.sys swap
file on it's own partition, along with the Temp files in in Documents and
Settings.


Questions:

1) That said, is it feasible to have the XP OS and the program files on
different partitions? Can programs like Ghost, Acronis, or Partition-
saving.com's freeware utility create an image of several partitions at
once?

2) I'm not in favor of several primary partitions (one primary and and the
exended with the 3 or 4 logical drives is enough). However, I was
wondering if anyone thinks it's silly to create a Dos partition for
booting up in case of emergency (and so I can run some very old financial
utilities I used to like!)

3) Best utility for partitioning? Partition magic or just use the latest
Fdisk utility for larger drives and let the XP disk do the formatting?
The alternative would be to download the partitioning tools from the hd
manufacturer (WD's Dataguard, Seagate's Disk Wizard or some other hd
manufacturer depending on the model).

4) Best way of cleaning the hard drive (assuming loss of data is not a
concern). In the past I've just run an unconditional reformat command
(format c:/u) after deleting the partitions using Fdisk.
I just like a pristine drive before partitioning and running the XP OS
disk. Would copywipe or any other freeware utility do the same job?

Putting the page file on a separate dedicated partition prevents
fragmentation. Putting it on a different drive in its own partition
(assuming reasonably up to date drive speed) also makes it faster (two
drive controllers running in parallel).

Just making partitions because you purchased or downloaded a drive
partitioning program with *no clear goal in mind* is just tinkering.

John

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I know this topic has been discussed ad infinitum on every computer forum
and in most of the computer newsgroups, but I seem to constantly read the
pros and cons of partitioning yet there's very little agreement on either
side.


I'm in favor of if (and for as many partitions as reasonably possible).
Here's my main reasons:

AV/anti-spyware scanning, backups, defrags,and file searches are alot
faster when you can do them piecemeal. I also like knowing that my data
files are on one partition, and audio and video are on another.
I've also read interesting opinions about putting the pagefile.sys swap
file on it's own partition, along with the Temp files in in Documents and
Settings.


Questions:

1) That said, is it feasible to have the XP OS and the program files on
different partitions? Can programs like Ghost, Acronis, or Partition-
saving.com's freeware utility create an image of several partitions at
once?

2) I'm not in favor of several primary partitions (one primary and and the
exended with the 3 or 4 logical drives is enough). However, I was
wondering if anyone thinks it's silly to create a Dos partition for
booting up in case of emergency (and so I can run some very old financial
utilities I used to like!)

3) Best utility for partitioning? Partition magic or just use the latest
Fdisk utility for larger drives and let the XP disk do the formatting?
The alternative would be to download the partitioning tools from the hd
manufacturer (WD's Dataguard, Seagate's Disk Wizard or some other hd
manufacturer depending on the model).

4) Best way of cleaning the hard drive (assuming loss of data is not a
concern). In the past I've just run an unconditional reformat command
(format c:/u) after deleting the partitions using Fdisk.
I just like a pristine drive before partitioning and running the XP OS
disk. Would copywipe or any other freeware utility do the same job?

I strongly favour having the OS and all applications on drive C:
and all data on drive D:. If you keep the lot on drive C: then
imaging for the purpose of subsequent system recovery becomes
very, very hard.

 

[John]

I strongly favour having the OS and all applications on drive C:
and all data on drive D:. If you keep the lot on drive C: then
imaging for the purpose of subsequent system recovery becomes
very, very hard.

?? Explain please.

John

 

[optech290]

?? Explain please.

John

That said, how often should you create a new image? Let's assume you
install or upgrade programs every few days or every week. That means not
only might there be new dll's, but additional registry strings, too.

Should one create a partition for Ghost (or some other imaging program) or
backup the image to DVD? If backing up to DVD, will these imaging programs
be able to copy files that are in use (all system files)?

In response to the individual who was for creating a partition for the
pagefile - how large should it be? 500 meg? 1 gig?

I was thinking of just creating the image after a pristine install of XP
and MS Office, with perhaps my most used programs and all my security
utilities loaded and restoring to that in case of a major problem.

 

[Leythos]

That said, how often should you create a new image? Let's assume you
install or upgrade programs every few days or every week. That means not
only might there be new dll's, but additional registry strings, too.

In testing/development labs, we make a new image every night, or before
any major update.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I know this topic has been discussed ad infinitum on every computer forum
and in most of the computer newsgroups, but I seem to constantly read the
pros and cons of partitioning yet there's very little agreement on either
side.


I'm in favor of if (and for as many partitions as reasonably possible).
Here's my main reasons:

AV/anti-spyware scanning, backups, defrags,and file searches are alot
faster when you can do them piecemeal. I also like knowing that my data
files are on one partition, and audio and video are on another.
I've also read interesting opinions about putting the pagefile.sys swap
file on it's own partition, along with the Temp files in in Documents and
Settings.


Questions:

1) That said, is it feasible to have the XP OS and the program files on
different partitions?

Not really. It can be done, of course, but there's really very little
point in having a separate drive or partition for just applications.
Should you have to reinstall the OS, you'll still have to reinstall each
and every application and game anyway, in order to recreate the hundreds
(possibly thousands) of registry entries and to replace the dozens
(possibly hundreds) of essential system files back into the appropriate
Windows folders and sub-folders. Installing applications to a separate
partition is a useful solution only if your system partition lacks
sufficient space for all of your applications, and cannot be resized.

However, placing data files on a partition or physical hard drive
separate from the operating system and applications can greatly simplify
system repairs/recoveries and data back-up.

Can programs like Ghost, Acronis, or Partition-
saving.com's freeware utility create an image of several partitions at
once?

You'd have to check with the manufacturer of each individual product
for a definitive answer, but I'd suspect not.

2) I'm not in favor of several primary partitions (one primary and and the
exended with the 3 or 4 logical drives is enough). However, I was
wondering if anyone thinks it's silly to create a Dos partition for
booting up in case of emergency (and so I can run some very old financial
utilities I used to like!)

Absolutely pointless. The WinXP installation CD is bootable, and
provides access to the Recovery Console.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=kb;en-us;Q314058

3) Best utility for partitioning?

A matter of personal preference. If you need a lot of hand-holding, go
with one of the high-priced commercial products like Partition Magic,
Ghost, or Acronis. If you just want to get it done, go with something
basic like BootItNG.

Partition magic or just use the latest
Fdisk utility for larger drives and let the XP disk do the formatting?

FDisk is an old MS-DOS utility that is neither available or needed in
WinXP; it would serve no purpose.

4) Best way of cleaning the hard drive (assuming loss of data is not a
concern). In the past I've just run an unconditional reformat command
(format c:/u) after deleting the partitions using Fdisk.
I just like a pristine drive before partitioning and running the XP OS
disk. Would copywipe or any other freeware utility do the same job?

To protect your personal information and data from any future users
of average skills, you should, at the very least, format the hard drive
and reinstall only the OS and those applications whose licenses are to
be included in the sale/transfer. If you wish to do a more thorough job
of protecting your personal data, WipeDrive 2.2.1
(http://www.accessdata.com/Product07_Overview.htm?ProductNum=07) meets
U.S. DoD standards for securely cleaning surplus unclassified hard
drives, and could be used before formatting and reinstalling the OS and
applications.

However, if you're not disposing/transferring the hard drive and are
simply going to be reinstalling WinXP, Simply boot from the WinXP
installation CD. You'll be offered the opportunity to delete, create,
and format partitions as part of the installation process. (You may need
to re-arrange the order of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from
the CD.)



--

Bruce Chambers

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[Pennywise]

I know this topic has been discussed ad infinitum on every computer forum
and in most of the computer newsgroups, but I seem to constantly read the
pros and cons of partitioning yet there's very little agreement on either
side.


I'm in favor of if (and for as many partitions as reasonably possible).
Here's my main reasons:

I have a few partitions but not less then 20 gigs, I have 39 gig
partitions on this system.

AV/anti-spyware scanning, backups, defrags,and file searches are alot
faster when you can do them piecemeal. I also like knowing that my data
files are on one partition, and audio and video are on another.
I've also read interesting opinions about putting the pagefile.sys swap
file on it's own partition, along with the Temp files in in Documents and
Settings.

Ya, and recovery is much easier - If it's ever need'd

Questions:

1) That said, is it feasible to have the XP OS and the program files on
different partitions? Can programs like Ghost, Acronis, or Partition-
saving.com's freeware utility create an image of several partitions at
once?

I used to Triple boot 98, and two W2K's - one on it's own partition,
and another partition for the program files, install the same program
three times to the same place when possible. (winzip, Photoshop...)

XP profiles really mess this up tho.

2) I'm not in favor of several primary partitions (one primary and and the
exended with the 3 or 4 logical drives is enough). However, I was
wondering if anyone thinks it's silly to create a Dos partition for
booting up in case of emergency (and so I can run some very old financial
utilities I used to like!)

I still run Fat32. in case of an emergency I have a Win98 boot disk on
a pen drive I can boot with.

3) Best utility for partitioning? Partition magic or just use the latest
Fdisk utility for larger drives and let the XP disk do the formatting?
The alternative would be to download the partitioning tools from the hd
manufacturer (WD's Dataguard, Seagate's Disk Wizard or some other hd
manufacturer depending on the model).

Partition Magic, I converted from NTFS to Fat32 then cut up drive into
partitions - with no data loss (Preinstalled XP)..

I'm going to have to change one partition to NTFS, as the files I work
with are hitting the 4 gig mark and PM is what I'll use to do this
with.

4) Best way of cleaning the hard drive (assuming loss of data is not a
concern). In the past I've just run an unconditional reformat command
(format c:/u) after deleting the partitions using Fdisk.
I just like a pristine drive before partitioning and running the XP OS
disk. Would copywipe or any other freeware utility do the same job?

Format /U really hasn't work'd since DOS 6.x, as a recovery file is no
longer created on a format.

Dban is good for this http://dban.sourceforge.net/faq/

 

[Phisherman]

Sorry I can't answer all your questions. I partitioned my drive so
that I could boot another operating system (Linux). I also use
separate XP partitions for storing data files such as music, movies,
e-books, and pictures. Separate partitions helps with defragging,
backups, and security. I would not recommend application installs on
drives other than C: but that can be done. A common mistake is to
partition C: too small. My C: partition is 60 GB.

 

[JS]

I install applications to a separate partition (D).
Also make an image backup of the C partition before any updates or
application installations.
If it's a major application and the install has gone well and there are no
problems I will make another image backup after the application has been
installed.

Since only Windows and some portions of applications (seams like no matter
where you tell the app to install some (files) part of it always ends up on
the C drive and of course in the registry. Never the less the amount of
space used on the C drive is kept to a minimum and the resultant backups
image file is small enough to store on a DVD, which I use as a last resort
to the local image file which is either on another partition or drive
depending on which PC I'm using.

JS

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

?? Explain please.

John

"Imaging" is the process that creates an image file of the selected
partition. It can be used if the existing installation goes bad for
whatever reason. Most imaging tools (Acronis, PowerQuest,
Ghost) let you make a boot CD that can be used to restore an
image file onto a completely blank disk. No need to have a
working copy of Windows.

I update the image file for my clients' PCs twice each year and
I always keep the two most recent versions. Creating a new
image file prior to a major installation would be a good idea.
And, of course, testing image files (by restoring them to a spare
disk) is absolutely essential. Without this test the whole process
is a waste of time.

 

[Rock]

(e-mail address removed) wrote:

Comments inline

That said, how often should you create a new image? Let's assume you
install or upgrade programs every few days or every week. That means not
only might there be new dll's, but additional registry strings, too.

Only you can decide that. It depends on how much time you want to spend
redoing lost work that wasn't backed up in the previous image.

Should one create a partition for Ghost (or some other imaging program) or
backup the image to DVD? If backing up to DVD, will these imaging programs
be able to copy files that are in use (all system files)?

Images are best stored on external media. DVD is fine and an external
USB drive is also good. Think about using two different backup media -
redundancy.

In response to the individual who was for creating a partition for the
pagefile - how large should it be? 500 meg? 1 gig?

See this link by the late Alex Nichol, MVP on virtual memory and setting
the page file: http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm

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