Partition size suggestions

[ShazK]

Okay, so this is my first build and I'm currently installing XP Home on my one 200GB hard drive.

So how big a partition should I make for XP Home? Should I make 2 seperate partitions for apps and media/other files for a total of 3 partitions, or should I just do Windows and everything else for 2?

Thanks for the help.

 

[timswim78]

Keep Windows and your apps on the same partition. There is no advantage to putting your apps on another partition, and it could lead to problems if you decide to reinstall windows. I would make this partition about 30GB - 40GB.

Having your media and other files on another partition is a good idea. Just be sure to redirect your "My Documents" folder to the media/files partition.

 

[ShazK]

Ah, okay, XP and apps on the same. Makes sense.

How would I redirect the "My Documents" folder to the other partition? Do I have to edit registry keys or is it a simple click and drag?

 

[wpshooter]

Originally posted by: ShazK
Ah, okay, XP and apps on the same. Makes sense.

How would I redirect the "My Documents" folder to the other partition? Do I have to edit registry keys or is it a simple click and drag?

If it works like win2000, should be able to right-hand click on my documents icon on desktop and change target directory to what you wish.

 

[KoolDrew]

Your OS and applications should be on the same partition. Separating them will only increase the average seeking distance.

I have on drive and only make two partitions on it. The first partition has my OS, applications and the page file. The second partition is used as storage such as MP3's documents etc. The main reason for this is that if I do need to reformat I have all the stuff I do not want to lose on the other partition. So all I have to do is reformat my first partition. I also redirect "MY Documents" to this partition. Separating these files may also help the rate of fragmentation. Fragmentation is not really a big deal, but it is a plus.

The more partitions you have the more complicated things become. If you run out of room on one partition you have to resize all your partitions and you risk data loss or other things.

Also all you have to do to move "My Documents" is right click it, choose properties and there should be a move button. Just move it to your storage partition.

 

[P0ldy]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Your OS and applications should be on the same partition. Separating them will only increase the average seeking distance.

I have on drive and only make two partitions on it.

Same here. But I think 30-40 gigs is overkill unless you're putting a lot of games on your OS partition. 15 is plenty if you aren't using 3dStudioMAX and other huge apps.