How To Identify Partitions

[gecko]

This may sound like a crazy request, but I think I have made life
difficult for myself.

Seems I have two internal hard drives and two external hard drives.
I partitioned each drive in order to separate things. I wanted the
basic OS in the boot partition, executable program installations in
another partition, and data and backups in several other partitions
according to the nature of the data. I have some 10 partitions
overall.

Now when I look in Windows Explorer or My Computer, I can't tell the
partitions apart. IOW, I can't tell what physical drive each
partition is located on. I really would like to know that.

What system executable will tell me what I want to know? Once I know
that for sure, I plan to include that info in the partition names
somehow, so that when I look at Windows Explorer, it is clear where
things are.

Again, I feel dumb here. Maybe I have missed something.

TIA for helps.

-GECKO

 

[GT]

This may sound like a crazy request, but I think I have made life
difficult for myself.

Seems I have two internal hard drives and two external hard drives.
I partitioned each drive in order to separate things. I wanted the
basic OS in the boot partition, executable program installations in
another partition, and data and backups in several other partitions
according to the nature of the data. I have some 10 partitions
overall.

Now when I look in Windows Explorer or My Computer, I can't tell the
partitions apart. IOW, I can't tell what physical drive each
partition is located on. I really would like to know that.

What system executable will tell me what I want to know? Once I know
that for sure, I plan to include that info in the partition names
somehow, so that when I look at Windows Explorer, it is clear where
things are.

Again, I feel dumb here. Maybe I have missed something.

TIA for helps.

-GECKO

If you have XP (you mention Windows Explorer), then simply right-click on
'My computer' on the desktop and choose "Manage". In the application that
opens, choose disk Management (under storage) and you will be able to see
which drive letter is mapped to which physical hard drive. You can even
rename the drives in there. Make sure you close all other applications first
though...

 

[gecko]

To make sure there is not possibility of error:

With the machine off, disconnect all drives except the one the OS is
installed on...
then boot the machine an note the drive letters (then label the drive)
Next attach one drive at a time and do the same
etc

Thanks

I thought of that - I was just wondering if there was another way that
did not require physically disconnecting the drives.

-GECKO

 

[gecko]

If you have XP (you mention Windows Explorer), then simply right-click on
'My computer' on the desktop and choose "Manage". In the application that
opens, choose disk Management (under storage) and you will be able to see
which drive letter is mapped to which physical hard drive. You can even
rename the drives in there. Make sure you close all other applications first
though...

I am using XP PRO SP2.

I looked at what you describe - it is what I was looking for. Thanks.

-GECKO

 

[gecko]

That's the good way. Call the first partition at the first drive
DR0P1, the second DR0P2 etc. and the first at the second drive
DR1P1 etc.

Yup - exactly what I was thinking.

Thanks

-GECKO

 

[peter]

Actually I have a similar situation and solved it by naming Partitions after
the HD they are located on.
So if I have a Samsung and a Western Digital drive I rename the
partitions..SAM-C WD-D ...SAM-E..etc etc.

peter

 

[gecko]

yes in Disk Management, but what does it take, 2 minutes to
take the side panel off and pull the data cable?

You're right.

-GECKO

 

[gecko]

That's right.
disk management should work...
but if the drives are physically disconnected, there is virtually no chance
for error!

Those of us that are careless appreciate that advice.

-GECKO

 

[gecko]

Actually I have a similar situation and solved it by naming Partitions after
the HD they are located on.
So if I have a Samsung and a Western Digital drive I rename the
partitions..SAM-C WD-D ...SAM-E..etc etc.

peter

Good idea.

Except I have 3 Maxtor drives.

-GECKO