install OS in 30GB versus in 80GB

[jrefactors]

If the hard disk capacity is 80GB, should we partition into multiple
partitions before installing the OS. Let's say 30GB is good enough. For
example, I can partition into 30,30,20, and only install the OS in
30GB, rather than just install the OS in 80GB.

The reason I ask because I wonder it will make any differences, in
terms of hard disk performance or other issues? And it won't occupy the
unused spaces for disk defragement later.

please advise. thanks!!

 

[Rod Speed]

If the hard disk capacity is 80GB, should we partition into multiple
partitions before installing the OS. Let's say 30GB is good enough.
For example, I can partition into 30,30,20, and only install the OS
in 30GB, rather than just install the OS in 80GB.

The only real reason to do that with just one OS installed is if
you want to ghost the OS partition before installing anything
so you can step back gracefully if it all goes pear shaped.

And that isnt a good reason to have 3 partitions, just to have 2.

The reason I ask because I wonder it will make any differences,
in terms of hard disk performance or other issues?

The differences arent great with modern hard drives.

And it won't occupy the unused spaces for disk defragement later.

Not really worth bothering with defragging anymore
unless the way you use the system is quite unusual.

 

[DaveW]

Sounds like a well thought out plan.

 

[kaiAm]

One pt has been covered by Rod Speed.


Partitions are great in a way that they help prevent your working
partition
from corrupting the other partition
- during cases of virus, worm infection

I suggest that you reserve a partition for data backup;
so the next time you need to reinstall XP, just format the
partition where you previously installed your XP.
this way, you will still have your data back after reinstall of XP.
example:
partition 1(say 30GB): XP / other system files
partition 2 : your other important files, personal, confidential,
secret you get what i mean

however do bear in mind that XP reserves the last 8MB for storing
partition info and such.

 

[Rod Speed]

One pt has been covered by Rod Speed.

Partitions are great in a way that they help prevent
your working partition from corrupting the other
partition - during cases of virus, worm infection

Any viable virus or worm molests all partitions.

I suggest that you reserve a partition for data backup;
so the next time you need to reinstall XP, just format
the partition where you previously installed your XP.
this way, you will still have your data back after reinstall of XP.

Quite a bit of the data that matters ends up in the system partition.

example:
partition 1(say 30GB): XP / other system files
partition 2 : your other important files, personal,
confidential, secret you get what i mean

however do bear in mind that XP reserves
the last 8MB for storing partition info and such.

No it doesnt.

 

[Data Recovery]

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Val

 

[Wayne Tiffany]

Keep in mind that as you use the hard drive, you take up space. Sounds
reasonable & obvious. But also keep in mind that Windows doesn't like to
run low on drive space. By partitioning your drive, you are separating the
free space into different chunks. So, lets say that you & Windows decide
you can get down to 10 meg free space before it becomes an issue. With the
drive split into 3 parts, you now have to have 30 meg of dead space, rather
than 10.

WT

 

[Peter]

Keep in mind that as you use the hard drive, you take up space. Sounds

reasonable & obvious. But also keep in mind that Windows doesn't like to
run low on drive space. By partitioning your drive, you are separating the
free space into different chunks. So, lets say that you & Windows decide
you can get down to 10 meg free space before it becomes an issue. With the
drive split into 3 parts, you now have to have 30 meg of dead space, rather
than 10.

WT

In most cases that would be relevant only for OS partition.
Other two partitions do not need to have that limitation.

 

[Dean Kent]

In most cases that would be relevant only for OS partition.
Other two partitions do not need to have that limitation.

I think you all are talking about the swap/page file, which can be on any
partition you select. The OS itself doesn't care about drive space when
running, except for swapping/paging. For my own purposes, I would create an
OS partition and a 'data' partition, and optionally a swap partition. There
will be no benefit for performance, but backup/recovery of data will be
easier. All applications should be installed in the OS partition, and
only user files (such as email, spreadsheet and word processing documents,
etc.) in the user partition. Presuming you have all of the installation
licenses and install files for your applications (which you can store on the
user partition if you have downloaded them vs. CD/DVD installation) you can
always format the OS partition and reinstall your applications without
losing any data.

Groups trimmed...

Regards,
Dean

 

[Rod Speed]

Keep in mind that as you use the hard drive, you take up space. Sounds
reasonable & obvious. But also keep in mind that Windows doesn't like to run
low on drive space.

Thats only true of the OS/swap file partition.

By partitioning your drive, you are separating the free space into different
chunks. So, lets say that you & Windows decide you can get down to 10 meg
free space before it becomes an issue. With the drive split into 3 parts, you
now have to have 30 meg of dead space, rather than 10.

Its rather more complicated than that.