I reinstalled Windows XP and cannot locate 30GB disk space

[Harry Ohrn]

Yes I know how to partition. I have 5 systems running at home all the time.
Each system has several hard drives and a few drives have multiple
partitions. Over the years I have used a number of repartitioning tools
including FDISK, Diskpart, Partition Magic, Partition Commander, Acronis
Disk Director, BootIt NG and half a dozen others.

Anyone who says they are happy with 16 partitions on a 40GB drive causes me
reason to think they must be joking. What purpose does having so many
partitions on such a small drive serve? I can't even think why one would
want to have 16 partitions on a 500GB drive let alone a 40GB?

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell\User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

 

[Guest]

I agree that 16 partitions on such a small drive is a mistake, simply because
the user will quickly outgrow them as more files are inputted into them. The
problem the user will have is then reallocating the partitions, moving files
around, etc. And if software is installed on any partition other than
windows, the user will have a diddly time of managing those extended
partitions. My experience has been to have 1 partition for windows and the
istalled software, another for files and documents, another for photos and
one for backups.........

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I agree that 16 partitions on such a small drive is a mistake, simply
because the user will quickly outgrow them as more files are inputted
into them. The problem the user will have is then reallocating the
partitions, moving files around, etc. And if software is installed
on any partition other than windows, the user will have a diddly time
of managing those extended partitions. My experience has been to
have 1 partition for windows and the istalled software, another for
files and documents, another for photos and one for backups.........

I was agreeing with almost everything you wrote above until I got to the
last four words "and one for backups."

If I were you, I would rethink that backup strategy. It's better than no
backup at all, but just barely. I don't recommend backup to a partition on
your only drive or even a second non-removable hard drive, because it leaves
you susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and backup to many of
the most common dangers: head crashes (if it's a partition) severe power
glitches, nearby lightning strikes, virus attacks, even theft of the
computer.

In my view, secure backup needs to be on removable media, and not kept in
the computer. For really secure backup (needed, for example, if the life of
your business depends on your data) you should have multiple generations of
backup, and at least one of those generations should be stored off-site.

My computer isn't used for business, but my personal backup scheme uses two
identical removable hard drives, I alternate between the two, and use Drive
Image to make a complete copy of the primary drive.

 

[mike]

notebooks are very tricky.
To get real help, you need to tell exactly what you have: scan the sticker
on the back or type it in:
model, model number, product-ID, s/n;

or: download some Linux CD rescue system, log in without a pw (uid is
root), and do:

hwinfo > /tmp/hwinfo-mybox


when that's done, put an FD into the FD drive.
do:

mount /dev/fd0 /media/floppy
cp /tmp/hwinfo* /media/floppy
sync
umount /media/floppy



remove floppy


hard power cycle box (no need to wait for anything, this was all ram based).

post the result of the floppy here if you like,
(the hwinfo file), or go to my site and give me your email address on the
contact form: I'll tell you how to get that file to me;
you will be helped then.........noo cost, I am nbot hanging out fly paper
here............

Mike