Suggestions for partitioning a HD in XP?

[Yamar]

I'm in the process of assembling my new computer - got most everything but my processor is stuck in a snow bank in Buffalo. :frown:

Before I put it all together and start loading on software, I was wondering if there's any advantage to using multiple partitions on the HD under Windows XP, or should I just make it all 1 big drive? I have to use the computer everyday for business but also use it to play lots of games, to download music & various junk, and I'm also planning on using it as a PVR once I get my cable TV/Internet connection.

I was thinking of setting it up as a dual boot system with Linux, but now I plan on picking up a used system in a few months for Linux to use as a firewall for my soon-to-be broadband connection. I had also intended to do a RAID set-up on the XP machine but I don't think I'll bother since the latest Maximum PC issue says the only real speed advantage to RAID is on the write side rather than the read side and I think the drive will already be fast enough for video capture (WD 100GB - 8MB cache.) Somewhere else I read that some people setup thier XP machines to dual boot with Win98 in order to play older Windows games, some of which aren't compatible with XP, but I can't imagine XP not supporting Half-Life/Counterstrike, the Quakes, RTCW & Civ3 (my heavy rotation list.)

I find folders just as easy (or easier) to manage than logical partitions...so, would there be any real advantage for me to divy up the HD into multiple partitions? Or should I just let it fly as one big expanse of space.

My specs:
(Don't have the parts in front of me so I can't recall all the exact part numbers)

InWin Q500 full-tower case lined with Dynamat
Enermax 431w Whisper PS w/ manually controlled fan
Asus AV266A-E MB
Althlon 1900+ XP proc.
Alpha heatsink w/ 80mm Pabst fan
2 other 80mm Pabst case fans
Western Digital 100GB HD w/ 8MB cache
Sony 3.5 floppy
TDK CD-RW drive
Creative 52x CD-ROM drive
Digital Doc 5.0 front panel mounted temperature sensor (just 'cuz it looks cool)
512MB Mushkin 2100 DDR RAM
ATI All-in-Wonder 8500 DV
SB Audigy Platinum or EX Soundcard (will buy next month)
Klipsch Promedia 5.1 speakers (will buy next month)
Some random dial-up modem 'til I get my broadband (will buy soon)

 

[Yamar]

Oh yeah nearly forgot,

A Sony 19" G420 monitor and a Logitech iFeel dual optical mouse.

God I'm so psyched to finally put this thing together!

 

[HawkeyeColt]

I feel for ya and your Buffalo snow. I lived in Orchard Park for 4 years. Seemed like all I did was blow snow. If you wanna dual boot your system you're going to need to split that monster drive up. Linux needs it's own partion. I don't like partitions myself.. I keep forgeting where I put stuff. So I just put 2 HDs in that way linux has it's own HD. LOL easier that way for me. I ghost my OS to a cdr and back up my files to a cdrw.. BTW:: Excellent system you put together there.

 

[MrBond]

I'd definatly partition that system. At the very least, partition it into two drives, a 6gb one for the OS (WinXP) and make the rest one partition. It's very nice if something hoses your OS to be able to format and reinstall it without losing all the stuff you downloaded or installed. You'll have to reinstall most of them anyway, but it simplifies the format/reinstall process (and lots of programs will work without being reinstalled after formatting the OS partition).

As far as losing stuff, I don't have too much of a problem with that (and I have lots of partitions). I name each one with a general label to help me figure out what's there (C: is Windows D: is APPS, E: is NET F: is GAMES G: is LINUX H: is MUSIC, I: is DVDRIP, and J: is MISC) It's a little excessive, but I prefer lots of partitions to one cluttered drive. And it makes backing up a little easier.

 

[xWeston]

MrBond, that's why they make folders!

 

[DN]

For the firewall, I'd suggest getting a router instead UNLESS you absolutely want to run Linux for applications.. As for the HD, make it one partition -- it's a lot less hassle overall.. The only advantage as someone mentioned is that if a "partition" other than your OS partition get destroyed, you can still be up and running.. HOWEVER, 90% of the time, it's the physical drive that stops working, not a partition, so I still don't see it as a must-have way of doing things -- go for one partition is my suggestion..