Pros and Cons of partitioning a 250gb disk for XP

Avoriaz

I have never bothered creating multiple partitions on my laptop disk before.

I am planning to do a completely fresh XP install on a 250gb disk.

Is there any point creating two or more partitions before I start?

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

What size partitions should I consider?

Should XP be in its own partition or share it with Word etc?

I will be installing XP, Word, Excel, anti virus, various video and image programmes etc. I won’t be installing disk hungry games etc. I will be installing about 150gb of music video files, plus maybe 20gb of documents and other personal stuff.

My current Program folder is about 1.5gb and my Windows folder is about 3.0gb so I am thinking of maybe a 10gb partition for the software and a couple of 120gb partitions for the data files.

I don’t need to know about Partition Magic etc. I know how to create partitions. I just need to know whether I should bother or just create one 250gb partition.


Other than Microsoft TechNet Forums, are there any other useful forums for such questions?

Thanks

scheming_gypsy

to be honest, when i've created partitions i've always regretted it unless ive given a decent size for the boot / OS partition. All it takes is to forget to change folder when installing something or for temporary files / log files / etc etc to build up and you start to run out.
If you're going to partition the drive for the OS you'd be better going for the programmes v's data option like you said.. but give enough space - just in case.
probably a 20 - 25gig partition to be on the safe side.

inamabilis

You wont see a performance increase (it may even be slightly detrimental) as the partitions are on one physical hard disc. I wouldn't separate windows from software as I cant see a reason to if there's not going to be a performance increase.

I might be tempted to make a partition for my personal files/media/mp3s etc, but only to keep things tidy. You could just as easily keep them all in My Documents.

S0litaire

inamabilis wrote: »

You wont see a performance increase (it may even be slightly detrimental) as the partitions are on one physical hard disc. I wouldn't separate windows from software as I cant see a reason to if there's not going to be a performance increase.

I might be tempted to make a partition for my personal files/media/mp3s etc, but only to keep things tidy. You could just as easily keep them all in My Documents.

You can move your "My Documents" to the second partition very easily (this saves a lot of hassle if you have to reinstall windows).

Generally you should have Windows operating systems and programs on one partition and all your files on another.

Ideally it should be a totally separate drive but a separate partition is good enough.

Just remember to BACKUP regularly

aliEnRIK

I wouldnt partition myself
I agree with....erm....inamanamanbillisss?

Little_John

The advantage with partitions is that if windows gets screwed up and you have your docs stored on a separate on then you can format and reinstall the first partition without worrying that you will loose your documents on the 2nd partition. If they are all on the same partition then you need to back them up before formating. Yes if the drive fails your loose everything anyway.

As for partition sizes I wouldn't bother with separate ones for your music and documents I would do a 20-30GB for the operating system and applications then the rest of the drive for use with documents etc. a lack of space on an OS partition can reduce performance I used to use 10GB and all apps installed to the 2nd partition but the 10GB does get filled up pretty quickly and then you need to mess with partition tools which can end in loosing data. There are no other advantages to this as your running on the same drive so performance isn't any better.

Just move the my documents folder, right click my documents and click move it will remap everything rather than just creating a new folder on the 2nd partition.

isofa

Don't any of you guys go to bed, 3 and 4am?!

I've always partitioned HDs on Windows (and on Mac OS too), I keep the OS separate with applications, files on a separate partition, I then have a few others split over a second disc, and I always keep a scratch area (separate partition) for cache and temp files.

If you have/use Partition magic, you can easily resize them at a later date.

I think partitions on the same disc, do improve performance, because they reduce fragmentation in some cases. Files are not littered about system and application areas - but others have different views.

If the OS fails and needs reinstalling, you don't have to potentially lose any files, just wipe the C partition and reinstall from scratch.

I also like the logic structure, and the ease of just backing up everything on my D or E partition which caters for everything crucial file-wise, without wasting time backing up non essential things.

aliEnRIK

Nightshifts thown my bodyclock into disarray

BillScarab

Personally I never bother partitioning drives. Its just as easy to backup "My Documents" as it is the "E Drive".

The only advantage is if you need to re-install the OS buut for most people that is a rare occurrence and if you have bbackups it's not a problem anyway, just takes a little longer.

deejayen

Personally I have 2 partitions on my first drive -- 1 for OP SYSTEM and the other for DATA -- this means that I can Backup my system drive using Acronis True Image & save that onto a second drive that I have installed -- In case of a "disaster" I can boot from the Acronis disk and FULLY re-install my system {everything, Drivers Programs that were loaded etc} in 10 Mins -- I actually backup my system every month and have three images 1 2months old, 1 1month old and 3 current -- Belts & braces I suppose but better safe that sorry. -- Dave

PS I have bags of disks connected 2 in tower [250gb + 500gb] with 2 external USB drives for Data Backups [ 500gb each]

bob_a_builder

if you need to re-install the OS but for most people that is a rare occurrence

except if your one of those poor sods who has to take their PC into somewhere like Pcworld to be looked at, where it'll be about the second thing they do after checking for any pron