Keeping Data Files on the HDD Root?

[Caveman]

Obviously, for a HD dedicated to the OS and Programs this is a poor practice. But... what about on a HD dedicated for Data? It shouldn't matter, right?

There would be no problem with <10 files on the root of the data disk, right???

 

[V00D00]

Can you rephrase your question for the layman, you sound like a cave man.

 

[Nothinman]

Why would there be a problem with less than 10 files in the root of a disk?

Generally it would be bad practice to store things in the root because you should be using directories to organize them. And if you're using FAT you'll run into the root entry limit (512 IIRC), but other than "it makes you look like a tool" theres' no real technical reasons why you shouldn't do it.

 

[Bozo Galora]

there is no "root" on a second HDD for data. just volumes.

 

[Nothinman]

there is no "root" on a second HDD for data. just volumes.

Sure there is, it's letter:\ or /mount-point/ depending on your OS.

 

[Caveman]

Well... the no "root" thing rings tru in the sense that no important OS files are kept on a data drive so it doesn't fall under the same constraints...

 

[Bozo Galora]

um, brain fart.
come to think of it - the root Directory is the main "holder" directory for ANY volume letter. that then contains all the dir/sub dir.

sorry, my bad

and the answer is still the same - it doesnt matter for data only hdd - but why?

FWIW - I always make O/S only partitions 4.5 (phoney) 4.3(real) GB so that it can be backed up to a single DVD with Acronis true image
Then a 1.5GB partition for swap file (that can be quickly defragged)
So, on a triple boot install on Seagate 200GB IDE, I would have
C:Win 98SE 4.3GB
D:WinXP SP1 4.3GB
E: WinXP SP2 4.3GB
F: Swap 1.5
G: Swap 1.5
H: Swap 1.5
I Apps 90GB
J: Data 90GB

With this I am stuck with FAT32 to see everything.
All apps must be installed on all three O/S for correct registry entries to be useable on all 3

 

[Nothinman]

Then a 1.5GB partition for swap file (that can be quickly defragged)

Ignoring the fact that a seperate partition for the pagefile is worthless, why would you have 3 of them? You can share pagefiles between OSes.

With this I am stuck with FAT32 to see everything.

You're only stuck with FAT for things you want Win9X to see, it would probbaly be smarter just to run Win9X inside of VMWare and save yourself some hassle and partitions.

 

[spyordie007]

You're only stuck with FAT for things you want Win9X to see, it would probbaly be smarter just to run Win9X inside of VMWare and save yourself some hassle and partitions.

Or if you really have to be running Win. 9x use something like NTFS for Windows 98 to read the files from within Windows 98.

Anyways if you use a modern file system there really isnt any technical reason that you would have to organize it in any way (after all the folder structure is logical not physical). The *real* reason to organize things into directories is so it's easier to keep track of things.