Best way to backup/format my harddrive?

[LOLyourFace]

I want the clean feel the XP once had. I have norton ghost right now and tell me what the best options are. Keep in mind I only have ONE hard drive. (40gig)

1. Is there any way to create a partition on my current HD? So I can simply move my stuff onto the new partition and format the other where OS will stay.

2. (If no, I can still back stuff up using my brother's HD temporarily.) then, how should I prepare the new install for the most convinience?

a. format c:, install fresh XP then ghost it so that next time it'll be nice and easy next time you want to clean up.
b. format c:, then create two partitions. one for XP and other for all other programs.

Which is better? I don't think I'm making any sense actually. Educate me.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

spend a few days making cd's of all your programs/data files you find yourself using. Make sure by going through your start menu you have all the programs on a cd in a stack

After a week, you should have all you need, format

 

[GTaudiophile]

Do you have any other machines on your network? I like to move all my stuff to my Gentoo machine via Samba or to my dad's machine. I then partition and format the drive and install.

 

[Lager]

Norton Ghost or boot with your XP CD inside the CD drive and boot from the CD drive. Format from there.

You're in, you're out, get on with your life.

 

[boyRacer]

ive got 4 partitions in my HD... ive got a 4gb partition just for the OS. Makes reformatting a lot easier.

 

[LOLyourFace]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
spend a few days making cd's of all your programs/data files you find yourself using. Make sure by going through your start menu you have all the programs on a cd in a stack

After a week, you should have all you need, format

then what makes ghost useful?

 

[LOLyourFace]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
ive got 4 partitions in my HD... ive got a 4gb partition just for the OS. Makes reformatting a lot easier.

what program is needed to create a partition, and how permanent is it? (obviosuly i dont know anything)
the partition stays through the formatting?

 

[LOLyourFace]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
ive got 4 partitions in my HD... ive got a 4gb partition just for the OS. Makes reformatting a lot easier.

so the 4gb partition is only for the OS? You must install MS office/other program files in other directory then?

If so, why waste 2.5gb~ when XP only takes about 1.5gb?

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
ive got 4 partitions in my HD... ive got a 4gb partition just for the OS. Makes reformatting a lot easier.

Do the programs work tho ?
Doesn't the programs have to be in the system/windows registry ?

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: LOLyourFace

Originally posted by: boyRacer
ive got 4 partitions in my HD... ive got a 4gb partition just for the OS. Makes reformatting a lot easier.

so the 4gb partition is only for the OS? You must install MS office/other program files in other directory then?

If so, why waste 2.5gb~ when XP only takes about 1.5gb?

Yep... i have a partition dedicated to applications alone... and another for stuff... like mp3s... movies...etc.

My OS has bloated into 2GB for some reason.

 

[LOLyourFace]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: boyRacer
ive got 4 partitions in my HD... ive got a 4gb partition just for the OS. Makes reformatting a lot easier.

Do the programs work tho ?
Doesn't the programs have to be in the system/windows registry ?

isn't this where ghosting comes in? Someone tell me why this complimentary Norton Ghost CD i have in my hand is useful at all? (came with my soundcard)

 

[Iron Woode]

Get a second hdd to back things up to.

Or

Get a DVD burner and use Drive Image 7.

Or

Use Partition Magic and make a partition. Caution: doing so can render your system useless.

 

[loup garou]

Ghost is worthless if you didn't make an image before your machine became sluggish/unclean. It can't turn back the clock.

 

[KGB]

Here's the way I like to have my systems setup:

C:\ partition has OS and all apps installed.
D:\ partition has all data files and a GHOST IMAGE file of the C:\ partition as well as the WINNT folder.

You can get there by getting a 2nd HD and copying all of your data files to it.
Then wipe your 1st HD and create 2 partitions and format.
Load your OS, drivers & apps and tweak it to where you like it.
Then MAKE A GHOST IMAGE file of it and save it to your D:\ partition.

You could also use Partition Magic to create a second partition on your 1st HD but this is very risky.