97 replies to this topic

[JDPower]

120Gb hard drive here - 10Gb partition for OS and programs, second partition for everything else. Apparently it's best to make sure there is at least 25% free space on a partition for best performance so bear that in mind.

[Kingorgg]

My Laptop came already with 2 partitions, Both at 111GB. Which is great, as I don't have to spend time creating a Partition

I've just finished transfering all my music and video over to it, including college work backed up to that drive

Thanks for the Info Eldmannen

[samonteroel]

Most of us now are aware of good things of having partition.
How about its side effects? Please comment on my idea. I recently got this HP laptop, intel dual core, 4 GB RAM, and around less than 200GB HDD. After creating partition via partition magic SLOW DOWN is very noticeable.

Should it be better to make a partition via Windows setup?

Thanks.

[Corona]

If you're running Vista as your main OS, keep in mind that 4GB of ram and a decent sized hd such as the one you have is fairly optimal for running Vista. If you were to partition your drive for another OS or whatever, you'd be shrinking the page file memory your Vista was comfortable running with.

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Should it be better to make a partition via Windows setup?

I have no idea what that is about. Sorry, but someone here will no doubt chime in.

Oh, I think I do know what you mean. Then I am definitely not the one to ask about that. (That's why I bought Partition Magic in the first place.)
I remember PM would automatically create a 1024MB (1 gig) cylinder between partitions (as a spatial boot/buffer between partitions, I assume). I don't know if that is applicable or how that's done via a manual Windows partition job.

[xbrianx]

I have Vista Ultimate(64 bit) and one hard drive with 226GB of free space. Dell has already created one partition for "recovery" that only uses 15GB.

I want to create a partition to separate my art files, like all my PSDs, reference images, videos, etc. With my hard drive size, would 50GB be enough to satisfy my OS afterwards? I have 5GB of RAM too.

Also, just a quick question, if one of the partitions gets a virus, would that affect both partitions since they're the same hard drive?

[DennisD]

My single disk is partitioned, with 20gb for my Operating System, which includes a 10gb "My Documents" folder, meaning all our photographs and my daughters iTunes music library.

I have a lot of programs installed, a lot of which also have Application Data folders.

I should think 50gb would be more than ample, but as in my case, you can at a later date re-size a partition up or down if needs must.

Regarding a virus jumping across, I asked this question when I first partitioned my drive and I think it unlikely unless you have some sort of program installation on the new partition, or another Operating System. Of course don't take that as a definitive answer, just an opinion.

Hope that helps.

[xbrianx]

DennisD, on May 16 2009, 06:34 PM, said:

My single disk is partitioned, with 20gb for my Operating System, which includes a 10gb "My Documents" folder, meaning all our photographs and my daughters iTunes music library.

I have a lot of programs installed, a lot of which also have Application Data folders.

I should think 50gb would be more than ample, but as in my case, you can at a later date re-size a partition up or down if needs must.

Regarding a virus jumping across, I asked this question when I first partitioned my drive and I think it unlikely unless you have some sort of program installation on the new partition, or another Operating System. Of course don't take that as a definitive answer, just an opinion.

Hope that helps.

Thanks! I don't know how much I'll really need, but after thinking about it again, 20GB seems good enough for me and allow some extra space. Also, like you said, I can always resize it if I need more.

The tutorial I found was for another version of Vista and had different menu options than my version. I found others, but I'm not sure if I understand. Basically, I right click on my OS drive, click on Shrink Volume, and then it creates another partition that includes the space that I just "shrunk" from the OS drive?

[formfrank84]

Vanguard382, on Dec 24 2005, 05:57 AM, said:

Good post.
Even if I knew this stuff, would really help others out!

Vanguard   Its pretty ok. Partitions helps. In fact system partitions operate faster when they are not that large.  

[formfrank84]

xbrianx, on May 16 2009, 07:36 PM, said:

I have Vista Ultimate(64 bit) and one hard drive with 226GB of free space. Dell has already created one partition for "recovery" that only uses 15GB.

I want to create a partition to separate my art files, like all my PSDs, reference images, videos, etc. With my hard drive size, would 50GB be enough to satisfy my OS afterwards? I have 5GB of RAM too.

Also, just a quick question, if one of the partitions gets a virus, would that affect both partitions since they're the same hard drive?

Chances nowadays are that it may especially the ones that affect the partition table or the ones that are activated or replicated when you transfer files across partitions. Therefore possibilities are quite high

[Fluffy]

Hi I`ve just got for Christmas ! a seagate expansion 500gb external hard drive so i can have more storage,I
I have already (small capacity 40gb) 20gb on my C drive and 20gb on my D drive I use for storage I have a few questions if any one can give me a few tips and pointers,I have been reading this thread but have got lost a bit into knowing what`s the best thing to do so here goes
1.With addition of new hard drive do I need to reformat my existing drives to be more efficient ?
2.Backed up programs on existing D drive-is it better to put all of these on the new (G) drive ? (if so do I need to do anything with the programs so they know to go to the new G drive and not the old D drive
3.I will be using the new G drive for photo`s,music documants etc do i need to format this drive in any way or just keep adding files

I like the idea of keeping my file secure in case i get hit with anything nasty and have the option of reinstalling windows etc to clear out the computer of anything that might have infected the computer,do i need to have some protection to the new external hardrive ?
I would appreciate any top tips from you guys and apologise if anything sounds to b*****y obvious but would sooner ask a simple question rather than pretend i know what i`m doing !!!
Fluff

[redhawk]

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1.With addition of new hard drive do I need to reformat my existing drives to be more efficient ?

No, you have an external hard drive this will not influence the performance of the internal hard drive containing the Operating System you will however may find that the external drive is slower because USB is slower than IDE/SATA.

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2.Backed up programs on existing D drive-is it better to put all of these on the new (G) drive ? (if so do I need to do anything with the programs so they know to go to the new G drive and not the old D drive

Unless you have the original install files backing up programs is a waste of time many are dependant on register entries and library files that you simply cannot just copy files.
Personally I would take your 500GB hard drive and partition it into 50/50 or 250GB/250GB or split into another ratio you see fit.
Next I would use backup software and make a clone copy of your Operating System and save this to the first partition of your external drive.
Now you have a clone of you Operating System when something bad happens you have a reliable means of restoring everything as it was with all programs and files intact.
For the 2nd partition of your external drive you could store all your photos, music, video files etc stuff accumulated since your last back up.

As for Malware threats I wouldn't worry too much most only usually infect the Operating System hard drive I've rarely seen any infect other drives.
If you’re still bothered about this problem then install a good Anti-Virus program and make sure Windows has all the latest service packs and patches installed.
Also I would avoid using Internet Explorer although this is purely a personal choice of mine.
IE bug's tend to get exploited a lot that I personally never feel safe using it, and for the years I've ran Firefox I've never encountered a single Malware problem on my machine.

Richard S.

[Fluffy]

Redhawk
Many thanks for your clear reply,
I like the idea of having the cloned operating system stored in the external hard drive,
my existing "backup" folder has email,internet favourites some microsoft files and a few other application and programs (that do include the install files),if i had a good cloned copy of my system presumeably this folder would become redundant ?
If anyone can recommend some software back up that they`ve used I would be grateful for the info ***will post this request now in "software forum thread !***

Thanks again Redhawk

[LumpyMcBumpy]

samonteroel, on 30 April 2009 - 09:35 PM, said:

Most of us now are aware of good things of having partition.
How about its side effects? Please comment on my idea. I recently got this HP laptop, intel dual core, 4 GB RAM, and around less than 200GB HDD. After creating partition via partition magic SLOW DOWN is very noticeable.

Should it be better to make a partition via Windows setup?

Thanks.

Partition magic is known to mess up vista partitions.I would use easeus free partition tools instead.

[aqua]

i think there is also a free version of paragon too

[jounkarry]

Eldmannen gorgeous post ! you have provided an excellent information ,it really really will help out many people
kindly keep sharing with us such a good information .
Thank u

[trium]

i have any partitions on my disk. also fast to defrag... :-))

c: windows 6 gb
d: programs 10 GB
e: games 30 GB
f: mp3 and other stuff 20 GB
g: system (with download files and updates) 10 GB

[trium]

i have "partition commander 10" from avanquest, from w98 up

but is perhaps supportet by paragon, i mean :-)i take this, because its in german,  i dont use "easeus free partition" it is only english.

I would like to know exactly what I do :-)

[nodles]

Crucial m4 128GB SSD for C:\ and for other files I've Samsung F3 1TB and older Samsung 500GB (total 3 partitions, used to have 4).

[Super Fast]

I haven't tried SSD yet, Nodles, but I heard of people doing it that way. Should work good.
_________

With internal drives, I use 2 partitions to keep data separated from OS for 3 reasons:

- Faster defrag
- Faster virus scan
- Can be formatted & clean installed with no loss of data on other partition (direct partition to partition file transfer before format)
_________

Current external drive (1 TB):

- 100 GB Personal (Partition to put personal pictures/documents/files etc)
- 100 GB Permanent (Partition to place completed SFX/files/etc)
- 800 GB Processing (Partition to place files to be worked on)
_________

For the internal drive, I normally partition it this way depending on drive size:

80 GB -> 20 GB OS / 60 GB Files
120 GB -> 20 GB OS / 100 GB Files
250 GB -> 50 GB OS / 200 GB Files

Although I do vary some from time to time, I generally try to give files about 80% of the drive space or more.

[anuradha]

well i have a 1TB hdd. i have 5 partitions. one for windows another for Softwares i install and the rest is for movies and songs. and i use NTFS