Program files on seperate partition? Any uses?

[powadha]

I´m setting up a new XP install for a friend and decided that placing the docs&sets to a different partition is a safe way to go. My documents can grow and won't be affected by a reinstall if ever needed. So I've setup a winnt.sif file to get that done during install

[GuiUnattended]
ProfilesDir="D:\Documents and Settings"

Now I'm just wondering if placing program files on it's own partition is a good idea aswell. I'm using a 160 gig drive and that way I could use about 10 gigs for win, say 50 gigs for programs and games and the rest for My docs.

I do wonder though (I'm more a linux user so no clue here) If I place program files on a different partition and reinstall windows, are those programs still usable? Otherwise there is little use in doing so.

Ah, before I forget: placing Program files on another partition during install would that make programs installing to the default C: actually use program files on the other partition? I mean, if the guy I'm building the system for install say openoffice and just hits next...would that make openoffice end up in program files on the second partition or would it create a folder on C anyway?

Regards

[andsome]

I use two hard drives C and D. The O/S is on C and I use D for storing photographs etc. A format and reinstall of Windows to C, has NO affect on D whatsoever. If however I install a program to D, then it will write some files to C, and a format and reinstall of Windows does affect it. I would imagine that a partitioned drive would behave in a similar fashion, as the O/S is installed on the main partition. Wait for one of the experts to confirm this fact though first.

[Alexis Blaze]

some program use registry, and when you [re]install windows, all of this registry will be deleted and sometime can make the program doesn't works.... beside that, sometime a program put some file not in the installation directory but in some other places like window or system directory....

[djohn]

Yes, both replies are correct. Even if you place an application or program on a different partition or drive then it still writes to the reg. I always advise to place O/S and all programs/applications and of course drivers on C: then all data to be kept on separate partition or drive. I allow 20Gb as a min now for C: Programs these days seem to eat up hard drive space. My programs/applicatons are at 23 Gb just now and growing.

There is a command from Microsoft hat will place the 'my docs' folder on another partition or drive if you wish, I will try to find it and post back. Once you have installed XP all other programs/applications/drivers etc. then ghost the image. If the end user messes up then all his/her data is safe on another drive and a format reinstall takes only 10 to 20 minutes to place everything back as it was on the C: drive. :)

[Boris]

There is a command from Microsoft that will place the 'my docs' folder on another partition or drive if you wish, I will try to find it and post back.

:)

Right click on My Documents

Properties

Move ................... to wherever you want

[powadha]

Thanx for the responces! I know I can place the My docs to another location but that would still leave the settings on C. Setting it up during install is just as easy and just one line in the winnt.sif

I see there is no use in placing Program files on another partition since the registry could be used by them. I'll go for an easy two partition setup with just the settings & docs on D.

I guess 50 gigs for Win, games & programs should keep him busy for a while. And even if he screws it his docs are save on D.

Thanx!