proper partitioning

[winchendon]

well I'll be building a new computer soon and I want to start to learn ahead of time the proper way to partition my hard drives.

for example when people say to put only the OS on a partition does that include the Program Files folder (and all the programs that will bve later added) ? and folders like Application Data?

I have an Acronis program as well as gparted. Which would you recommend?

I know this would probably require a long answer so, maybe point me to a a good article.

[-pops-]

I regularly build computers but I haven't partitioned a hard drive for many years. I don't see the point of doing so.

All my computers have (at least) two hard drives installed. Everything goes on the main "C" drive and is backed up on to the second drive. Other drives (external and/or internal) are used for storage of things such as pictures, video, audio and other big consumers of space.

[andsome]

I have two internal hard drives C and D, and two plug in hard drives. I have NEVER had a partitioned hard drive. :D

If my C drive conks out then everything is duplicated on my D Drive. I also keep an Acronis back up on both external hard drives. I believe in belt and braces.

[AlanHo]

I have 3 internal hard drives (C,D and E) - and an external eSATA connected hard drive (F). None are partitioned.

C: is used for Windows plus all program files

D: is used for all documents and data

E: is used for Acronis back-ups of the C: drive and Second Copy back-ups of the D: drive

F: Duplicates the files on E:

By storing only Windows and program files on C: the Acronis back-up and restore routines are much faster. In the event of a system failure or corruption requiring a restore it is quick and easy to restore just the C: drive. Your data stays intact on the D: drive.

I back-up the data stored on D: to E: and F: using a program called Second Copy which backs up all data changed since boot time every time I close down the computer.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

I basically agree with what the previous posters stated, but I like a little bit of partitioning.

1. I like the virtual memory (page file) on a separate partition;
   
2. I like the Outlook Personal Folders (PST file) on a separate partition;
   

both these partitions are NTFS formatted with 64KB clusters. This way, page file and PST file will never become fragmented, and also they enjoy maximum cluster size. (The main C: drive is most likely formatted with default 4KB clusters.)

[Chris]

Each to their own.

[Belatucadrus]

My PC was supplied with a partitioned drive and rather than delete the second partition, I use it for a weekly backup of everything in the My Documents file.

[andsome]

My PC was supplied with a partitioned drive and rather than delete the second partition, I use it for a weekly backup of everything in the My Documents file.

The problem there is that if the drive fails you lose your back up. :D

[Belatucadrus]

The problem there is that if the drive fails you lose your back up. biggrin.gif

I also have a mirror copy on an external drive should I suffer catastrophic failure. That said I find total hard drive failures extremely rare and much less likely to occur than a screwed up windows installation. Even allowing for the enhanced stability of XP over its predecessors, it's still not a bad idea, particularly with the amount of spare room most new hard drives permit.

[andsome]

I have an Acronis back up on my D internal hard drive, plus one on each of two plug in USB hard drives. (Belt and braces protection, no need for partitions). :D

[rong]

I've had drives fail on the C partition (Windows) and still been able to get the information from the other partitions after putting a new Hard drive in and installing windows on it. The point being I find it is usually the windows bit that has the problems possibly because it gets the most use.

[winchendon]

wow I wasnt expecting everyone to say that.

i've heard a few people talk about running just their OS on a small solid state drive. so when they do that does that include the OS + program files? Everything except audio, video, photos, etc.?

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

There aren't many programs that allow you to choose the target installation location; most just go into the default C:\Program Files, so I would just leave that on the Windows drive.