one partion or many partitions?

[Talal Itani]

On my PC, the hard drive is partitioned into multiple partitions, but I
found that having multiple partitions is not helpful at all. Now I need to
re-install XP. Do you agree with me, that one partition is the way to go?
Thanks.

Talal Itani

 

[Ed Metcalfe]

On my PC, the hard drive is partitioned into multiple partitions, but I
found that having multiple partitions is not helpful at all. Now I need
to re-install XP. Do you agree with me, that one partition is the way to
go? Thanks.

Talal Itani

I'm sure there is software that will allow you to work with partitions
without having to reinstall your OS.

Yes, I agree that a single partition is the way to go. Personally I think
partitioning drives is totally pointless nowadays.

Ed Metcalfe.

 

[Ronaldo]

I find several partitions very helpful, you can redirect My Documents and
all sort of files and settings to another partition and you don't have to
backup your files when reinstalling or doing other system maintenance, you
can make System Restore have a lot less to cover and save... you can also
format non-system partitions to permanently delete files from the HD (I keep
a small partition for that purpose). When you delete files, they disappear
from view but they still occupy disk space and can be recovered with
specialized applications. I see clear advantages to having several
partitions.

You don't need any software to delete partitions. You can delete partitions
in: Start\Run\Control Panel\Management
Tools\Computer Management\Disc Manager.. example: if you delete the last
partition, it's disk space integrates to the previous adjoining partition..

I would advice you to keep at least two partitions, C: for the system and D:
for file storage.

 

[BillW50]

I'm sure there is software that will allow you to work with partitions
without having to reinstall your OS.

Yes, I agree that a single partition is the way to go. Personally I
think partitioning drives is totally pointless nowadays.

Ed Metcalfe.

Since '81, I hated muliple partitions! Wait... muliple partitions came
out a year or two later I think. LOL But I still hate them, but
sometimes they are handy for muliple OS on a single computer. And they
do help save something if one partition gets toasted for some reason.
Many computers nowadays comes with an extra with one with the recovery
stuff. I guess this is okay. Plus lots of people find it is easier to
keep the data separate in another partition. I only do so if that data
is shared on the local network.

 

[Rock]

On my PC, the hard drive is partitioned into multiple partitions, but I
found that having multiple partitions is not helpful at all. Now I need
to re-install XP. Do you agree with me, that one partition is the way to
go?

One partition for the OS and installed apps. After that it depends on what
suites your fancy, organizational bent, and backup strategy. No one can say
what's best except you.

 

[Pipboy]

On my PC, the hard drive is partitioned into multiple partitions, but I
found that having multiple partitions is not helpful at all. Now I need to
re-install XP. Do you agree with me, that one partition is the way to go?
Thanks.

Talal Itani

Depends on your needs. One big partiton will give you a tiny bit better
performance but that is not soomething worth not using partitons for as
partitions do have their uses. I keep the OS partition about 30gb because I
use Acronis True Image to make an image file of the OS partiton and at that
size it is fairly fast to do and fits on my 80gb external USB hdd, plus I
have no need to back up all my game data on my other partiton(s). I also
like to put all my download files on a seperate partiton so if the OS takes
a dump those downloaded files won't get lost with it.I tall depends on how
manyHDD's you have and how you like to organize things.

 

[mikeyhsd]

some disk activities like scandisk, defrag and such things will take LOTS longer with one HUGE partition compared to several smaller ones.
also by separating OS and data is you have to format and reinstall you are not as apt to lose data.
if you plan properly, it is easy to add additional OS to your system, by having extra partitions.



(e-mail address removed)




On my PC, the hard drive is partitioned into multiple partitions, but I
found that having multiple partitions is not helpful at all. Now I need to
re-install XP. Do you agree with me, that one partition is the way to go?
Thanks.

Talal Itani

 

[BillW50]

[clip]

Multiple partitions are inconvenient for those who don't know how to
task them properly. And, to remember their purpose when the time
comes to use them.

[clip]

I beg your pardon! Only real amateurs need multiple partitions. Real
computer users don't.

There was a rumor back in the early 90's, that Microsoft was going to
make future OS to take all drives and display them into one single
partition. Sadly, that never happened yet.

 

[Dave]

On my PC, the hard drive is partitioned into multiple partitions, but I
found that having multiple partitions is not helpful at all. Now I need
to re-install XP. Do you agree with me, that one partition is the way to
go? Thanks.

Talal Itani

Multiple partitions are inconvenient for those who don't know how to task
them properly. And, to remember their purpose when the time comes to use
them.

For those, yes, stay within an XP standard user guidelines. All within the
XP partition.

There are those who can only function/operate by consensus...

 

[Dave]

[clip]

Multiple partitions are inconvenient for those who don't know how to
task them properly. And, to remember their purpose when the time
comes to use them.

[clip]

I beg your pardon! Only real amateurs need multiple partitions. Real
computer users don't.

Delusional at best.

 

[JohnO]

[clip]

Multiple partitions are inconvenient for those who don't know how to
task them properly. And, to remember their purpose when the time
comes to use them.

[clip]

I beg your pardon! Only real amateurs need multiple partitions. Real
computer users don't.

Delusional at best.
--

I think he was joking.

To the OP...as you can see the decision is purely your preference. I like
the strategy mentioned by others...20 GB for the OS and applications, all
the data (including My Docs) goes on the 2nd partition.

-John O

 

[Bob I]

[clip]

Multiple partitions are inconvenient for those who don't know how to
task them properly. And, to remember their purpose when the time
comes to use them.

[clip]

I beg your pardon! Only real amateurs need multiple partitions. Real
computer users don't.

There was a rumor back in the early 90's, that Microsoft was going to
make future OS to take all drives and display them into one single
partition. Sadly, that never happened yet.

I think you need to look up Dynamic Disks and Volumes in Windows Help.

 

[Galen Somerville]

Multiple partitions are inconvenient for those who don't know how to task
them properly. And, to remember their purpose when the time comes to use
them.

For those, yes, stay within an XP standard user guidelines. All within
the XP partition.

There are those who can only function/operate by consensus...

Instead of having a huge fragmentation problem with just a C partition, I
have three partitions.
C: Windows and anything having to do with the computer itself.
D: Programming such as VB.net and VB6
E: Utilities and programs.

If I just had to have MP3's and Videos then a fourth partition would be in
order.

Everything puts a little of itself in the C partition so an occassional
defrag is in order.

Galen

 

[Ronaldo]

Those that don't like multiple partitions can change the partition Icon and
name, for example they can name the system partition "Windows XP" or
"System" and the partition(s) with a folder Icon and name them "My Files"...
Partitions get to look exactly like folders and you really cant't see the
difference from folders, (except for the drive letter C: D: etc.). The
optical drives icon and name can also be changed in the same way.

Here are some tips on How to do it.
http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/detail/912/


---------------------------------------------

 

[BillW50]

[clip]

Multiple partitions are inconvenient for those who don't know how to
task them properly. And, to remember their purpose when the time
comes to use them.

[clip]

I beg your pardon! Only real amateurs need multiple partitions. Real
computer users don't.

There was a rumor back in the early 90's, that Microsoft was going to
make future OS to take all drives and display them into one single
partition. Sadly, that never happened yet.

I think you need to look up Dynamic Disks and Volumes in Windows Help.

Thanks Bob!