Pros and cons of hd partitioning

[Hawaiiantim]

I would like to know the pros and cons of hd
partitioning. #1- Can I keep the folder "program files"
on Drive D: and windows on C: #2-If windows were to crash
and I did a reinstall on C: would The programs still work
the same or would the registry be damaged so they will
not work....I do know the value of data being stored on
back up partition. #3- Any good reading material or am I
thinking of doing somthing that cant be done? #4- Or
better to have 2 os's on different partitions, say, 1 for
internet and one for other programs that do not use
internet. Such as a 3d cad that needs a lot of
memory...Thanks; Tim

 

[Leonard Severt [MSFT]]

I would like to know the pros and cons of hd
partitioning. #1- Can I keep the folder "program files"
on Drive D: and windows on C: #2-If windows were to crash
and I did a reinstall on C: would The programs still work
the same or would the registry be damaged so they will
not work....I do know the value of data being stored on
back up partition. #3- Any good reading material or am I
thinking of doing somthing that cant be done? #4- Or
better to have 2 os's on different partitions, say, 1 for
internet and one for other programs that do not use
internet. Such as a 3d cad that needs a lot of
memory...Thanks; Tim

Windows and Program Files will be on the same drive. However for
organization it can make sense to put your data on a different drive to
make it easy to backup. You really shouldn't need to have 2 copies of
Windows.

Leonard Severt

Windows 2000 Server Setup Team

 

[Guest]

Thank you. one more? please...If I want to run an auto
cad 3d home design that uses alot of memory and my comp.
has max ram what is the best way to shut down other
applications that I'm not using at the time. Thanks; Tim

 

[loki]

My theory.
#1
Con: Programs will not run if C is formatted.
Pro: Some programs that arent used constantly will not use
resident memory and wont lag the reading of the harddrive.
So installing big programs into another partition would be
a great thing to do...
#2
Having 2 operating systems on 2 different partitions is
the smart thing to do. SO one doesnt use the other's
resources..

loki

 

[Alex Nichol]

I would like to know the pros and cons of hd
partitioning. #1- Can I keep the folder "program files"
on Drive D: and windows on C: #2-If windows were to crash
and I did a reinstall on C: would The programs still work
the same or would the registry be damaged so they will
not work....I do know the value of data being stored on
back up partition. #3- Any good reading material or am I
thinking of doing somthing that cant be done?

It is not a good idea to try to move Program Files - once the system is
installed there are already a lot of references to it where it is built
into the registry, and confusion is likely to reign if you move it. But
if you install a new program, use a Custom install and use a different
partition. This makes it that much easier to have an effective backup
of the partition with the system on it. Eg, in installing Office you
can put it on a different partition to the tune of 200 or 300 MB,
leaving a comparatively small amount going in C:\Program Fils\Common
files\ etc.

If you reformat and reinsta;ll the system you will have to reinstall
programs whichever approach you use, because registry information will
have been lost.

See http://aumha.org/win5/a/parts.htm for good basic discussion

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

I would like to know the pros and cons of hd
partitioning. #1- Can I keep the folder "program files"
on Drive D: and windows on C:

Yes.


#2-If windows were to crash
and I did a reinstall on C: would The programs still work
the same

No, they would not work at all.

or would the registry be damaged so they will
not work....

When you reinstall, the registry is completely rebuilt, so all
the references to your programs will be gone. That's why the
programs won't work.

I do know the value of data being stored on
back up partition.

I don't agree with this at all. A backup partition is the weakest
form of backup there is. It leaves you susceptible to
simultaneous
loss of the original and backup to many of the most common
dangers: hard disk crashes, severe power glitches, 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, which fit into a
sleeve installed in the computer. I alternate between the two,
and use Drive Image to make a complete copy of the primary drive.