How do you partition for clean WinXP or Vista install

[nealh]

OK..I will be reinatall winxp and want to know how you guys do things

I currently have a 200gb hdd..but will upgrading to a 320gb

I use 2 roughly same size partitions

I once tried a 10gb winxp partition and found some apps just work better on C: drive

So would you recommend
1. 1 320 gb partition(ugh for defrag)
2. C: 20gb partition
3. 2 equal partiton for C: drive and apps/games

or whatever???

Thanks

 

[Roguestar]

I like to use one partition for installed programs and games alongside windows, and one for my videos or data or whatever. Windows tends to prefer C:/ and some programs will default to installing in C:/Program Files/ so if it's not in C: some of them give hassle. I'd give maybe 50Gb to C:/ then install windows and your programs on it so if you have to format all you need to do is wipe that and not lose your data. Also don't forget to make My Documents point to somewhere on another drive otherwise it'll store stuff on C: that you may lose if you end up formatting.

 

[StopSign]

I do the same thing as Roguestar. I set OS/programs partition (C: ) to around 50 GB and all the left over space to data. Heck, I always run two hard drives for this reason. On my 160 hard drive I set 50 to Win XP and the left over space can be multi-booted with Vista/Linux/whatever. My 250 is purely for data storage. The operating system and programs puts a lot more wear and tear on the drive so it just feels safe knowing that my data is on a separate drive, instead of just another partition on the same drive.

 

[nealh]

Thanks

I use 2 HDD as well..second stores backup images, pics, downloads etc...but my primary drive is used for data and programs...

I think I will set it up as suggested..

50gb or so for C: and C: program files
and continue the mutiple partitions..for data, games