number of partitions

[skimzzz]

I've got a 10 GB and a 20 GB HD. How many paritions should I install and how big for each? What are the pros and cons of installing partitions? Will any of my programs have problems with multiple partitions (ex. finding data on the right partition).

thx

 

[jc14all]

What do you plan on using your system for, (games, video editing, graphics, business,...etc)? Anyone here could give you some good advice if we knew your purpose. Partitions are a good thing for organization, saving space, business, pleasure..., but if you don't have partitions set up already, and you have data stored on you HDD's you better use a program like Partition Magic to safely create them. Otherwise, you will lose all your data.

However, if you are first time setting up your system, use good judgement and planning to establish the size you will need for whatever you plan on doing.

Be more specific and someone here will point you in the right direction.

JC-------<*){{{>{~~~~~
Fisher of men

 

[camieabz]

Fastest drive for C:

If you're using Fdisk, then be sure of what you want first. Don't dump a load of data, then change your mind. On the other hand you can get Partition Magic, which solves that problem.

If drive sizes are smaller, then cluster sizes are smaller too, reducing the amount of cluster waste.

Say 3GB for C:

<b><font color=blue>The Cisco Kid</font color=blue></b>

 

[skimzzz]

general use, nothing special. at which point do you stop benefitting from smaller cluster sizes? next time, i plan to set up 2gb partitions.

 

[jc14all]

It also depends on what type file system you are using (NTFS/FAT32)

Here are some Default FAT32 cluster sizes:

<b>Partition Size (GB)******Sector Per Cluster******Cluster Size</b>
0.256 - 8.01****************** 8 **************** 4K
8.02 - 16.02***************** 16 **************** 8K
16.03 32.04 ***************** 32 *************** 16K
> 32.04 ******************** 64 *************** 32K
________________________________________________________

Default NTFS Cluster Size:

<b>Drive Size (MB)******Number of Sectors******Cluster Size</b>
512 **********************1 *************512 bytes
513 - 1024 (1GB)*************2 ************1024 (1KB)
1025 - 2048 (2GB)************4 ************2048 (2KB)
2049 & larger ***************8 ************4096 (4KB)



JC-------<*){{{>{~~~~~
Fisher of men

 

[shloader]

Folders sometimes work fine when you organize them well. I plan on getting three WD1200 120GB each. Beyond the partitioning for the first boot drive (one for WinME, another for Win2K, last for a place to put crap so I don't loose it in a reformat) I have no intention of partitioning the secondary and tertiary drive. Working with large video files I can't justify the need. If you have two drives and one OS install then you'll end up causing more hassle then it's worth. I've done it this way with the 40/60 combo I've been using for a year in both my systems. My friends all try that partitioning juggling and they all end up accidentally reformatting a partition from time to time.

Think about why you would do this if you have two drives already. Ask yourself if in any situation it makes it convenient.


Intel is god, cleanroom is life, and the wafers are all that matter.

 

[skimzzz]

I am using fat32. Don't know how to use the other type of partition. I guess I'll stick to max partitons of 8 GB to get the benefits of smaller clusters.

BTW, how does one load 2 different OS on to different partitions. I use fdisk, and that only allows 1 active partition to place your OS.

 

[jc14all]

Dual booting Win9X/W2k <A HREF="http://www.guru3d.com/tech/dualboot/" target="_new">guide</A> or <A HREF="http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Howto/software/windows/dual/" target="_new">here</A>

Dual booting Windows/Linux <A HREF="http://www.sentex.net/~bvandyk/linux/dualboot.htm" target="_new">guide</A> or <A HREF="http://www.enterprisedt.com/publications/dual_boot.html" target="_new">here</A>

Also you can find a ton of info <A HREF="http://www.aumha.org/kbstrtupz.htm" target="_new">here</A>, but perferrable read this one: "How to Multiple Boot Win XP, Win 2000, Win NT, Win95, Win98, & MS-DOS "

Hope this helps.





JC-------<*){{{>{~~~~~
Fisher of men