I am building a new computer and have never made more than the one partition. I would like to partition into two partitions. One strictly for the os and the other for all else. Does that seem like the correct thing to do? Where is the best place to go to find step for step instructions on exactly how to do this? It is a seagate barracuda 120 pata hard drive. Thanks.
New computer and partitioning help?/
- Thread starter ingeborgdot
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- Jan 12, 2005
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WiseOldDude
Senior member
- Feb 13, 2005
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Not a bad idea at all, if you don't have partition magic, don't use all your disk space (you can control this during install) then use OS utilities, assuming Windows here :-| and partition/format the rest for data/applications.
- Jan 12, 2005
- 1,351
- 29
- 91
- Jan 12, 2005
- 1,351
- 29
- 91
assuming Windows here :-| and partition/format the rest for data/applications.[/quote]
How would I go about doing this???
How would I go about doing this???
One benefit of creating an OS partition separate from data is that you can re-install your OS if you need to someday without overwriting your data.
But, it is not that simple.
There are programs that still store data on the OS partition. The default location for the "My Documents" folder is on the OS partition. You can change it.
The program you use for your emails may put your emails on the OS partition.
So, you have to be careful what you are getting yourself into.
The size your need for the OS partition depends on what you plan to do. If you plan to put all the programs on the other partition, you only need about 5G. The problem with that is the default location for the installation of a program is on C. Every time you install a program, you will have to remember to change it. Another problem with this is that if you re-install your OS, many programs that you have installed on the other partition may not run anymore since the dll files are always placed on the C drive anyway.
If you plan to install all the programs on C, you have to estimate how much space you need for the type of programs you are going to have installed. Only you know the answer. You can always change the partition size. But, it may need a utility like Partition Magic, which is not free.
How do you create 2 partitions?
Start the XP installation, when it gets to creating a partition for XP, change the size to what you want for the OS.
After installation, boot to XP and right click on "My Computer" and click on "Manage". Go to the "Disk Management" tab. Right click on the unallocated space shown on the disk map and click on "New Partition".
But, it is not that simple.
There are programs that still store data on the OS partition. The default location for the "My Documents" folder is on the OS partition. You can change it.
The program you use for your emails may put your emails on the OS partition.
So, you have to be careful what you are getting yourself into.
The size your need for the OS partition depends on what you plan to do. If you plan to put all the programs on the other partition, you only need about 5G. The problem with that is the default location for the installation of a program is on C. Every time you install a program, you will have to remember to change it. Another problem with this is that if you re-install your OS, many programs that you have installed on the other partition may not run anymore since the dll files are always placed on the C drive anyway.
If you plan to install all the programs on C, you have to estimate how much space you need for the type of programs you are going to have installed. Only you know the answer. You can always change the partition size. But, it may need a utility like Partition Magic, which is not free.
How do you create 2 partitions?
Start the XP installation, when it gets to creating a partition for XP, change the size to what you want for the OS.
After installation, boot to XP and right click on "My Computer" and click on "Manage". Go to the "Disk Management" tab. Right click on the unallocated space shown on the disk map and click on "New Partition".
- Jan 12, 2005
- 1,351
- 29
- 91
So maybe I should plan on putting the programs and os on one partition and excel folders, pics and what else on the other.
What I posted just scratches the surface!
You need to find out what works for you. There is no one solution that fits all.
Each option has pros and cons. I mentioned a few in my post.
You may get recommendations here from some who want to tell you what the best thing to do is. But, what they are saying really is what is best for them!
If you install your OS and the next time you install is going to be in 3 years, you may be better off putting everything on one partition. The trouble of partitioning and maintaining it outweigh its benefits.
On the other hand, if you re-install your OS once every few months, you may be sorry if you do not partition.
There are other reasons for one to partition. If you multi-boot, you may want to be able to access your data from both operating systems. Then, you need to partition.
You can search on line and find sites that tell you what you should do. But, again, I don't think following those blindly is the right way of going about it.
You need to find out what works for you. There is no one solution that fits all.
Each option has pros and cons. I mentioned a few in my post.
You may get recommendations here from some who want to tell you what the best thing to do is. But, what they are saying really is what is best for them!
If you install your OS and the next time you install is going to be in 3 years, you may be better off putting everything on one partition. The trouble of partitioning and maintaining it outweigh its benefits.
On the other hand, if you re-install your OS once every few months, you may be sorry if you do not partition.
There are other reasons for one to partition. If you multi-boot, you may want to be able to access your data from both operating systems. Then, you need to partition.
You can search on line and find sites that tell you what you should do. But, again, I don't think following those blindly is the right way of going about it.
TheNiceGuy
Golden Member
- Dec 23, 2004
- 1,569
- 3
- 81
For some very detailed/accurate info, i recommend going here, and just do a search for "partitian":
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expe...public.windowsxp.general&lang=en&cr=US
But personaly, on my old 120GB pc, I partitianed only 10GB for critical data, and everything else for OS, etc. When I had to reinstall the OS, I just reinsatlled my programs/updates/settings from the data patitian - very fast and easy.
But if you do set the OS alone, about 10GB will be safe. Without PM, you can't change the partitian without reformat. The OS needs extra room than its size to operate. And remember, if you reinstall the OS, you have to reinstall the programs as well (you can save registry entries, but it's a pain). And a partitian will not protect data if your OS or harddrive go crazy - only a separate physical drive will.
Good luck.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expe...public.windowsxp.general&lang=en&cr=US
But personaly, on my old 120GB pc, I partitianed only 10GB for critical data, and everything else for OS, etc. When I had to reinstall the OS, I just reinsatlled my programs/updates/settings from the data patitian - very fast and easy.
But if you do set the OS alone, about 10GB will be safe. Without PM, you can't change the partitian without reformat. The OS needs extra room than its size to operate. And remember, if you reinstall the OS, you have to reinstall the programs as well (you can save registry entries, but it's a pain). And a partitian will not protect data if your OS or harddrive go crazy - only a separate physical drive will.
Good luck.
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