Vista bootup question

[umo]

If my Windows Vista was set up on a single partition. Does the OS read
my entire C: drive at bootup or only the system files & startup
programs I designate?

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

System files and designated startup programs. The location of other files
(both data and programs) is in the mft, and this is part of the system. Why
do you ask? Keep in mind that prefetch and other OS processes may load parts
of frequently used files as well.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[umo]

Hi,

System files and designated startup programs. The location of other files
(both data and programs) is in the mft, and this is part of the system. Why
do you ask? Keep in mind that prefetch and other OS processes may load parts
of frequently used files as well.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVPhttp://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help -www.rickrogers.org
My thoughtshttp://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

I've read that the speed and efficiency of Vista is maximized if I put
the system files on a separate partition from the data and program
files at setup. My computer has a powerful Core2Duo CPU and is
configured on a single partition. It boots fairly quickly and responds
well at present. I'm still not sure if I made the right decision to
put the entire operating system on a single partition. Is it
considered best practice to setup Windows system files on a separate
partition from data and programs files or do modern CPUs relegate
these concerns to much ado about nothing?

 

[Mick Murphy]

My personal opinion; much ado about nothing!

We all have different ideas about comps.
A second partition is handy to store your Data on away from the System files
in case of a permanent, terminal disaster in the OS.

 

[umo]

Does Windows Vista use Prefetch to search for and load frequently
used programs into RAM at boot up even if those programs are located
on a separate partition from the system files?

 

[Chris Game]

Is it considered best practice to setup Windows system files on a
separate partition from data and programs files or do modern CPUs
relegate these concerns to much ado about nothing?

What does the manufacturer recommend?

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Yes, it does. The location is immaterial, if the files (not necessarily
programs) are frequently used you will benefit from the prefetch service.
Your setup is fine, there's no benefit to moving programs to another volume
unless you are short on space. If your system were sluggish, then perhaps
moving the paging file to another physical drive (not another volume on the
same drive) might help.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

I've read that the speed and efficiency of Vista is maximized if I put
the system files on a separate partition from the data and program
files at setup.

Where did you read that? It would have no effect on boot, and actually can
lead to degradation of the drive if programs are placed on a separate volume
on the same drive. The separation will cause additional drive head movement,
a mechanical function that cannot be sped up. What may be useful is placing
data on a different partition as a preventive measure in case you need to
format and reinstall.

My computer has a powerful Core2Duo CPU and is
configured on a single partition. It boots fairly quickly and responds
well at present. I'm still not sure if I made the right decision to
put the entire operating system on a single partition.

Sounds like it's fine to me. I typically set up new systems this way simply
because the average user will not want to bother with understanding the
nuances of having multiple volumes.

Is it considered best practice to setup Windows system files on a separate
partition from data and programs files or do modern CPUs relegate
these concerns to much ado about nothing?

The speed of the cpu is mostly irrelevent here, it's the access speed of the
drive that is most critical. By spreading things out across it on multiple
volumes, you will increase the seek time, not lower it.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[umo]

Thanks to everybody who responded. This is eye opening information.

Cheers.