Partition Planning

[Richard In Va.]

Fdisk correction:

It's been awhile since I've used fdisk. But after thinking about it
following my above post, I don't think fdisk formats, it just prepares the
partitions for you. Therefore it likely doesn't care if you format FAT32 or
NTFS.

But fdisk will have limitations as to the partition type (and size) you
choose. It only offers a "Primary" and "Extended (DOS)" partition. And
then of course you can set a Primary as "Active" to be the Boot partition.

A "Primary" partition created by fdisk will likely translate to a "Basic"
partition when introduced to the XP OS.

Nevertheless, as for your fdisk question, I'd stick with the XP "Disk
Manager" utility. Much easier on the eyes.

Another note, just for the fun of it... If you ever install a second hard
drive, and you create a "Basic/Primary" partition, The new partition will
steel the next drive letter following your OS partition (C:\), then bump all
your other drives regardless of which HD their on down the alphabet.

On my system, my #2,#3 and #4 hard drives only have one (1) each "Extended
Partition" per physical hard drive. Then I fill the extended partition with
logical drives, however many I want. (Helps me keep my drive letters in a
row).
Don't know of any work around, maybe someone can add additional input here.
Not sure, maybe you can go back to Disk Manager and steel the drive letter
back. (?).

Back when I went thru all this (several years ago), I called Seagate Tech
Support and they indicated that drive performance would not be effected by
having one (1) "Extended Partition" filled with "Logical Drives".

Best regards,

Richard In Va.
+++++++++++++++++++++

 

[Ron Martell]

Fdisk correction:

It's been awhile since I've used fdisk. But after thinking about it
following my above post, I don't think fdisk formats, it just prepares the
partitions for you. Therefore it likely doesn't care if you format FAT32 or
NTFS.

FDISK is a DOS/Windows 9x utility and can only create FAT32 (or FAT16)
partitions.

It cannot create NTFS partitions.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[contrapositive]

Hi. I just built a new PC with a 250 GB SATA hard drive, and I'm
installing Windows XP, SP2.

Hi. Thanks again for ALL the advice. It has helped tremendously.

I just created a primary (C) partition of ~60GB, and XP is now installed
there. Next I think I want to use the Disk Management tool to make the
remaining 170GB an "extended" partition, and from there I can specify my D,
E, F and G drives as logical partitions. Sound right?

 

[JS]

Right!
Before you created the logical drives you can and should change that DVD/CD
drive letter from D: to H: which is the next letter past the last logical
drive letter or optionally you can change it afterwards, but before you
install any software to the new partitions.

JS

 

[Richard In Va.]

Hello again Contrapositive,

Your welcome.... I'm sure we're all happy to help!

When creating the "Extended Partition", size it to use ALL available space.
Then create the "Logical Drives" D:\,E:\ & F:\ sized to your liking using
the same method you used to size C:\ . Then, create the "Logical Drive" G:\
sized to use ALL available space remaining within the Extended Partition.

G:\ (the last drive) will wind up being an odd-ball size due to the Decimal
verses Binary issue, but at least you be using all the space on the HD.

With all the "Logical Drives" set up and sized the way you want. Now you can
go back to D:\ and begin formatting the drives, assigning drive letters and
a label as you go (you can format more that one (1) at a time if you need to
leave the PC for awhile).

Stay with the default cluster size and NTFS file system unless you have a
real good reason not to.

When through, reboot the system (cold boot / power off then on) and open "My
Computer" to see if all is well.

But like JS said, be sure to move that CD/DVD drive letter out of the way
first.

The only other thing I might add is that you won't be able to install an
operating system in the Extended Partition. Operating systems need to be in
a "Primary Partition" and set "Active". Not to muddy the water, just tring
to cover same bases. If your plans are to only have one (1) Operating System
on the computer, this won't be a problem for you. (Post back if this causes
any concern)

but anyway...sounds to me like you got it going on...!

Best regards,

Richard In Va.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

[John]

The only other thing I might add is that you won't be able to install an
operating system in the Extended Partition. Operating systems need to be in
a "Primary Partition" and set "Active". Not to muddy the water, just tring
to cover same bases. If your plans are to only have one (1) Operating System
on the computer, this won't be a problem for you. (Post back if this causes
any concern)

but anyway...sounds to me like you got it going on...!

Best regards,

Richard In Va.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

No only the bootstrap files need to be on a primary (and active)
partition (boot.ini, ntdetect.com & NTDLR). The rest of the OS can be on
a logical drive. This of course only applies to MS OS's, linux for
example can boot from a logical drive.

John