How big should the partition for my OS should be?

[pitupepito2000]

Hi,

I just build my first computer and I am going to install Windows 2000 or XP in my 40GB hardrive. Since I build the computer I was thinking for troubleshoting the computer I could create a partition for my data (documents and all sorts of important data), and another partition to install my OS. My question is this a good idea, if so how big should the partition for my OS should be?

Thanks

 

[GreenLantern]

At least 2GB for the OS and the rest depends on how many games and programs you'll have loaded on your machine. With Office, a few good apps, and a couple of games, you could reach 5-8GB's fairly fast.
I think a good rule is this:
Start with 10GB for OS and Programs, leaving 30GB for files (or 7/33 if you don't think you'll have much loaded at a time). As soon as one or the other gets close to only one GB free, first see what you can clean up (In the case of files, even a little housecleaning can save a GB of space). But when there's only a GB left and you've done what you can, shift some space to the other partition with Partion Magic 7. You can do this on the fly and preserve your files. I just did this recently and it works fine. (Prompted me to setup a back up schedule though).
This is a foolproof way to get to know what proportion is best for you.
Cheers,
GL
😉

 

[Tripleshot]

I recommend 4 gig for W2K and 6 gig for XP. Then make sure you install all other programs in a seperate partition. boot up will be much faster, and easier to maintain. You have enough slack for cache and for those programs that insist on residing on the "C" drive.

 

[rjcoolpix880]

I have a 30 gb drive and 10gb alotted for OS. Im put all the Program files there also. The reason is that you install programs and forget about them. So i can format c: and be golden again. I put all my files(music and photos) and games on the D:. I installed XP last week and have used up 8GB of the C:

 

[woodie1]

For WinXP I use 3 gigs so there is room to defrag.

 

[grumm3t]

I just bought an 80gd and I decided that I would go 15gb (C:\) and 65GB (D:\). I install all my programs and games on C:\, and keep all my data on D:\. This makes is very easy to format my computer when I need to. I format C:\ and I have all my programs and software installs backed up on D:\. Some people install programs on another drive when they have two partitions, but once you get rid of C:\ you lose all your registry keys for that program, and can make some unusable..

 

[Pilsnerpete]

If you put your games and apps on D:, the installs won't take as long, especially if you have the discs copied onto D:.😉 Also, the games you've saved are still there. What's the problem, though? Another 80gb is what?, $107 (maxtor ata133, shipped free).🙂 10 on C:70 on D: for me. Anybody had errors using programs installed this way?

 

[GhettoFob]

My OS drive is 45 gigs and my storage drive is 120. :Q

 

[DonaldC]

I use 1g for 98SE and 2-3g for XP-Pro.