XP partitioning question

[Stanley A. Warner]

When adding partitions, is the first one in sequence put on the
outside cylinders, or does it start near the center?

Can a virtual memry partition be an extended partion, or must
it be a primary partition? Thanks for any info.

-\Stan/-

 

[Steve]

In response to the question about setting up additional partitions as
primary, I received a message saying "You can only have one ACTIVE
primary partition at a time. Since you're already booting to the
ACTIVE PRIMARY C partition, you will not be able to access the data
and programs stored in the other primary partition."

Just wanna confirm this is true - ?

 

[Ogden Johnson III]

In response to the question about setting up additional partitions as
primary, I received a message saying "You can only have one ACTIVE
primary partition at a time. Since you're already booting to the
ACTIVE PRIMARY C partition, you will not be able to access the data
and programs stored in the other primary partition."

Just wanna confirm this is true - ?

True, but.

Simplest way to picture it/set it up is:

Primary Partition - C: Windows whatever
Extended Partition - D: Windows app programs
E: Win app data files
Primary Partition - F: Linux program
Extended Partition - G: Linux app programs
H: Linux app data files

If I understand things correctly, the later versions of Win provide a
dual boot option. I know there are a number of third-party utility
programs that allow you to set up dual boot, i.e., you are asked when
you boot up your computer which OS you want to boot into.

If I were to do this, I prolly would have two HDs, and devote one to
each OS. But then I'm a Virgo and a suspenders *and* belt kinda guy.

OJ III
[Besides, two HDs offer the option of backing up the data files on
each to the other. Besides a tape/CD/whatever "off-machine" back-up.
{that belt and suspenders thing again}]

 

[Ron Sommer]

You need to have the boot files on the active partition.
A partition does not have to active to access the data stored in the other
primary partition.
The programs can be accessible if setup correctly.

Your question would be easier to answer if you had included the original
message.

 

[Paul Knudsen]

If I'm setting up four partitions on an 80G drive (system plus 3), is
there any disadvantage to making the 3 additional partitions primary
rather than extended?

Don't do it. Not sure about XP but with older OS's one partition
won't "see" any of the other primaries.

 

[Tom Almy]

Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Linux will see all primary partitions.
However there is still no reason I could find to using primary partitions.