Multi-partition hard drive

[icucimok]

I am partitioning a 160 Mb Maxtor (SATA) drive for XP Home.

I want to setup multi-partitions:

1. How many should I do?

2. How many megs is good for each one?

3. Which partion should xp go on? (one website said on the 1st partition)

Should I even do this?

[Eric Legge]

I take it that XP is set to use the NTFS file system.

If your computer use just involves the usual image files, downloads, office documents, etc., I would break the drive down into 16 10GB partitions.

Windows will go in the primary partition, which will be the C: drive.

Just boot from the Windows CD and use the partition tool and Windows automatically installs itself on the primary partition.

The other partitions will be logical drives on the extended partition.

You can use a different partition for data storage, programs, images, and you should run the virtual memory swap file from outside the Windows partition to make back-ups easier.

You should format the partitions via the Windows CD as well.

You can set where the swap file is run from another partition by right-clicking My Computer => Properties => Hardware tab.

Eric,
http://www.legge40.freeserve.co.uk/BuyerBeware.htm

[rsfnatik]

Your partitioning scheme will vary depending on how you use your machine. Keep in mind that you don't have to partition the entire drive from day one... Also, I would recommend avoiding one large parition - it's just not a very organized approach IMO.

To start, 10GB to the OS (OS is installed to the first/primary partition), 20GB+ for your applications (especially if you like to keep several games installed at one time) and another 10GB partition for your files/documents. At this point you've only got 30GB partitioned and you're up and running at a decent level of organization. As you use your machine you may decide that you would like to keep your images, music and video clips on seperate partitions which you can create when you need them with whatever capacity you need.

[jim.t]

I partitioned my older Me box into three parts: C= OS, 7gb; D=apps, pics, docs 20gb; E= mp3's 10gb. This box is 40gb, or 37gb usable.

After looking at a complete restore scenario, I should have included all my apps and such into the C drive, because none of the apps on D would be usable if the OS would were reloaded because of registry changes. Hence, I think the OS and apps should stay together.

Am I correct in this thought?

[rsfnatik]

To be honest, i've never done a restore. From what I understand, a restore to the original install or last restore point would wipe registry entries/etc regardless of where you're applications were installed. Anything installed since the last restore point would potentially require reinstallation... doesn't matter if it was on C, D or Q.

Perhaps, someone could clarify this.

[icucimok]

So it is up to me.?.
Good!
Now then...
I am useing Caldera FDISK R2.13
and a 160 Mb (SATA) drive, but it will only let me partition 8024.6 Mb or 1023 cyls. Is this normal? Do I need a newer version of FDISK?

[rsfnatik]

Boot from your XP install disc, when you start the installation it will allow you to create partitions and will ask which one should be used for the installation.

[bassman]

My opinion is: 10GB for the OS, 20GB for all applications, 60GB for games and swap file and the rest is for your personal data. I don't think you'll gain anything with 16 partitions except a mess when it comes to browsing them and a probable lack of space if you install a lot of games on one of them...

[Direct1]

Originally posted by icucimok
So it is up to me.?.
Good!
Now then...
I am useing Caldera FDISK R2.13
and a 160 Mb (SATA) drive, but it will only let me partition 8024.6 Mb or 1023 cyls. Is this normal? Do I need a newer version of FDISK?
Do not do that. Do as rsfnatik says.

[icucimok]

Some of you may be familiar with my past problem of xp hanging up during my apps. install/resarts. (5 mins to load windows/ restart)

I just got done doing a muliti-partition on my HHD, and upon install of xp my computer shutdown and restarted, then went to a black screen for 3 mins, and now is on the install page. basicly it has started the hanging problem again. It also did it on the starting windows setup screen (blue.)

Q: Is this hardware or software? (BIOS?)

[BipolarBill]

Stay in your old thread please.

Merged.