How many partitions for the OS?

[Captain Crunch]

Just wondering I haven't done it before and wondered what the advantages were??

[Capper]

some people partition HDD to use part for storage....some do it to run multiple OS's

[Lead Head]

One advantage is, you make a small 5-10GB partition for the OS, then put all your data on the other partition, and when you format to reinstall your OS, you still have all your data.

[Tyreal]

Originally Posted by Lead Head

One advantage is, you make a small 5-10GB partition for the OS, then put all your data on the other partition, and when you format to reinstall your OS, you still have allly our data

This is what I do. I have one hard drive (Raptor) to contain my OS along with startup programs. I get really fast booting, probably around 30 seconds. Programs all go onto a partition on the Seagate Cuda. Partition is around 90 GB. All the other stuff like downloads, music, pictures, documents goes on another partition on the Cuda which takes up the rest of the space.

This way if my windows gets corrupted or breaks for one reason or another, I still have all my personal stuff. Most of the programs will no longer function though because key files will be missing in the OS along with registry entries.

[Captain Crunch]

Since Iv never done it before is this a option when I install windows or is there a program I should use or what??

[Tyreal]

When you first install windows, you will go to a partition managing screen. The screen is pretty straight forward. Delete any partitions that you don't want anymore and make one partition around 30 GB for the OS. Other will suggest have less, like 5-10 GB but I prefer to have a little head room. You want NTFS and do not quick format.

The Windows Installation Partition Manager




Now remember that with Windows Service Pack 1, windows will not detect the hard drive as a 300 GB Maxtor but instead a 137GB maxtor. So just leave that OS partition for now and install windows on there.

Go hook yourself up with Service Pack 2 and install it.

Once windows is installed, right click My Computer and select manage. On the left menu, select Disk Management. On Disk 0 you will see a short blue rectangle that will say something like...
(C:)
X GB NTFS
Healthy (System).

To the right of it, there will be some greyed out areas, right click it and select create new partition.

Next make a programs partition. Since you have 300 GB to alot, I'd say use something like 80-100 GB depending on your installation habits. Go and have a beer then come back.

The formatting should be done, use the rest of the space and create another partition. This is for your personal stuff like music, pictures, pr0n you get the idea. Once everything is formatted, label them and restart the PC. Your done :D[/img]

[yurimxpxman]

Originally Posted by Lead Head

One advantage is, you make a small 5-10GB partition for the OS, then put all your data on the other partition, and when you format to reinstall your OS, you still have allly our data

That's what I'd do if I was stuck with a large drive as my master HDD. As it is now, I have my entire WD74GD running XP and a 15GB partition of my 400GB Barracuda running Vista. I'm going to install Linux on that 15GB partition when I get a chance.

[Captain Crunch]

Thanks Tyreal and this comes with sp2 ..........Thanks for all the help bro good guide.......

[Tyreal]

If it comes with service pack 2 you can do the whole partitioning in the manager.

[polobunny]

I used to do it, now I prefer having another hard drive. Saves you time and frustration IMO. I think 5Gb is alright if you install EVERYTHING on another partition.