HD partitioning strategies

[Benjo]

Hi all,

I'm about to re-format my 1 partition 100GB HD (gulp) and have come to the
conclusion that dividing it into a number of partitions might be a good
idea. My current plan is: one for winxp, one for apps & programs, one for
graphic files, one for video and one for "other data".

My questions are:

1) is this a sensible strategy? and if so, how much of a size margin should
I give to the winxp partition. 3GB? 5GB?

2) One of the main reason for partitioning (apart from the defrag
advantages) seems to be so as not to have to re-format the whole HD ever
again (since re-installation of everything can take weeks...). But wouldn't
re-formating the winxp partition and re-installing winxp also mess up all
the apps that install files or drivers in the WINDOWS folder or alter the
registry? Should I install the "Documents and settings" folder on a
different partition? How can you get round this problem? Am I missing
something?

Thanks in advance, B.

 

[Widow Twankey]

Just one question - why?

If you converted to NTFS and left it all well alone, you could put all your
email stuff into a folder in MyDocuments (along with Windows Address Book).
Then you'd have absolutely everything in one place - handy for backups.

The sole advantage of partitioning is when you're using FAT32 systems which
are limited to 38 GB.


--
Yours

Widow Twankey

Now 10% Twankier than ever

 

[JAX]

Hi Benjo,

Unless you are really into file shuffling, don't use a boot partition less
than 6 Gig's. I use 10. If you install programs to another partition, they
will have to be re-installed after a format of your OS drive. So far as the
"programs" partition and others, only you, can determine what size to make
them.

Personal files,i.e., data, music, pictures, etc., should be kept on a
partition other than the OS. That way, they are not effected by a re-format
of the OS partition. All of your files need to be backed up, just in case of
a hardware failure.

FWIW, JAX

 

[Benjo]

WT,
(My HD is NTFS.)

I am no expert, but I understand there are at least 3 good reasons to
partition:
1) Defrag fast as and when needed by each partition (defraging 100GB takes a
LONG time...)
2) Speed - keeping often used files (esp windows) on the outer rim of the HD
3) Being able to re-format each partition seperately as needed
(4) security - not having windows on drive c: ???)

Anyway the point is I like having a "clean" machine - I experiment with new
programs quite alot and find that over time everything gets slower, strange
conflicts pop up and windows just seems to get "quirkier". These are not
normally "critical" problems but in the end they become so frustrating that
(for a non expert) re-formating seems the only answer.

My ideal situation would be to isolate Winxp (and possibly my core group of
oft used apps) in one partition, other progs & apps in another and data in a
third (fourth and fifth...) so that when things go wrong I can just
re-format the necessary partition - re-installing 3 programs instead of
30. - I'm just not sure how to do this (or if it can be done).

Thanks for the input, B

 

[Guest]

If you are wanting to partition and keep the programs, games and apps on a different partion than the one that the OS is install you will have to backup the registry before you ever partion the OS hard drive again. When you backup the registry it will pertain the info about where the programs are install. For example C:\ is the OS and D:\ is apps, the registry holds where programs are installed and on which hard drive, restoring it should work just fine

 

[JAX]

Some software installs actual files to the OS drive, even if the install
path is to another drive. They will have to be re-installed in the event of
a format of the OS drive.

JAX

If you are wanting to partition and keep the programs, games and apps on a

different partion than the one that the OS is install you will have to
backup the registry before you ever partion the OS hard drive again. When
you backup the registry it will pertain the info about where the programs
are install. For example C:\ is the OS and D:\ is apps, the registry holds
where programs are installed and on which hard drive, restoring it should
work just fine

 

[Guest]

Yes, this is true but the majority should be okay with a reg backup

 

[Widow Twankey]

But with NTFS defragging isn't needed as much. Besides defrag is horrible.
Better to use Norton Speed Disk.
Speed - NTFS is faster.
Windows must be on drive C - this is essential with XP. It must also be on
the primary master IDE too.

--
Yours

Widow Twankey

Now 10% Twankier than ever

 

[Guest]

I find its a good idea to leave some unformatted space.You may want it later for a backup partition or perhaps to experiment with other OSs.