Partitioning Hardisk before xp installation

[obs]

Hi all.

I would like to install win xp pro on my machine. I have a 160 gb hardisk and I wonder if I need to partition it when I install. Because I heard people don't partition the hardisks anymore. Anyway, if I need to partition it what should be the size of the drive the windows is installed on ?

Thanks .

[Scarthy © ® ™]

It's up to you really. I have, in the past, made 10GB partitions for XP but I am running on a 50GB one now (and only 16GB free !). You can make the partition when you install XP (I think it's 'c' to create one? Not 100% as I haven't done it for quite some time now). It's at the bit where you can delete C:/ ("d") and format it during the set up. It will ask for the size in kb I believe, so you will need to multiply the number of GB's you want by 1024 (eg. 50GB partition = 50*1024 = 51200kb) <--- Again not 100% but you will see when you do it. I did it as I didn't use "My Documents" and wanted an XP only partition and the rest for files and storage.

If you make a partition and need it to be bigger/smaller, there is also software out there to enlarge/decrease the space as you need it (such as Acronis Partition Expert).

Hope this helps ;)

[MANEMAN]

Hi obs. No, you do not "need" to partition - the choice is up to you.

"I heard people don't partition the hardisks anymore." - Wrong. Many people partition disks all of the time. It is a very good idea, and can be excellent protection against data loss.

If you partition off, 20/140 and keep the operating system (XP Pro) on the 20Gb you will probably find you have enough space to cater for a fair few apps.

(I am only giving that 20/140 split for a guideline. It is entirely up to the individual.)

Use the 140Gb for your data, and now if your operating system becomes corrupt and you want to replace it you will not have to worry so much about loss of data. Once you have got your XP Pro up and running, download "TweakUI" from here:>>>

***CLICK HERE***

Once "TweakUI" is installed open the program and choose the tab "+ My Computer" on it's interface and then "Special Folders". You will now find that you can relocate things like: My Documents / My Pictures / My Music etc; over onto your 140Gb partition. Leaving the 20Gb partition with "Just the Operating System"

It can be advantageous to have Disk Imaging software such as Acronis, Norton Ghost, etc;.

With no data present on the (20Gb) it is very quick and easy to do a backup and restore of your system without fear of loss,damage,or corruption of your data. Read more ***CLICK HERE***

Dont be too disappointed if your 160Gb disk is showing less than the full 160Gb - This is quite normal, but a bit too technical to go into at this stage.

By all means come back here again if you do need an explanation for this.

Hope all of this is of some help to you. (Just seen there is another posting on the subject, so you should be well on your way now. B)

[Scarthy © ® ™]

You can move 'My Documents' by Clicking the start menu and right clicking the 'My Documents' folder and selecting 'Properties'. There should be a tab called 'Target' that should be the tab your looking at. You then click the 'Move' button and select a location on another drive/partition. It will ask you if you want to move the contents of 'My Documents' to the new folder, just click Yes/No.

If you do move 'My Documents', make sure when you next format that you back them up as Windows can delete the files on another drive with a reformat/reinstall. Or just move the folder back to the default location (C:\Documents and Settings\your username\My Documents) and select 'No' when it asks if you want to transfer the files. <--- I haven't tried this way yet but I intended to if a format was needed.

;)

[D4\/!d]

I went through this phase myself. Every PC I touched had to be partitioned with os on one drive and data on another partition.

I agree with you obs, people don't partition their hardisks anymore B)

Eventhough you give the os plenty of room to run and allow for your apps the machine will run much better if it has the whole drive in which to spread out. And quite honestly 160 gig is a small drive anyway.

Best to give the whole lot to the os and install a second hard drive for data.

That's what I do now. None of this old fashioned partitioning malarky ;)

[MANEMAN]

"I heard people don't partition the hardisks anymore." - Wrong. Many people partition disks.

Here in Cornwall we even have a "Partition Pride Parade" once a year, runs right after the welly throwing competition. A few of my mates have even partitioned their loft space off as well. Partitioning, and a healthy interest in mountain goats is pretty big down here.

Some of these statements somehow just dont seem to tie in with the fact that Partitioning software sales were actually up in 2006, so somebody is partitioning somfin' somewhere.

Quote: "And quite honestly 160 gig is a small drive anyway" Not to my mate old Bert up the road he is still using a 20Gb drive. We country people have to get used to these sort of "mine is bigger than yours" remarks from you Londoners all the time I even notice than even in my advanced years I'm a "newbie" and others are claiming "Advanced Members". We dont go shouting about our "members" down here - just get on and use 'em.

Hope you have enjoyed a bit of humour on a Sunday morning. Cant resist it sometimes, and I hope you can see that it is tongue in cheek and without any malice, all part of the ongoing senility problem B)

malarky ?????????? - - - You're Jamie Oliver aint yer? Get back to that cooker will you. :D