Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (
More info?)
In news:QFcHd.213898$Np3.8985319@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca,
Happy <happy@trial.ca> typed:
> Although I am not sure of the reason to partition,
A word on the terminology, if I may. To partition a drive is to
create *one* or more partitions on it. It's required, not
optional; you can't use the drive unless you (or the vendor you
buy it from) has created at least a single partition on it.
So what you're asking about is whether to have *more than one*
partition on it.
> if a need to
> reinstall the OS still wipes the whole drive, it would be nice
> if
> they sent the system partitioned, with a method for resizing. I
> thought partitioning was to either run multiple operating
> systems
That's one common reason for having multiple partitions.
> (which I don't) or to use disk space more efficiently. (which
> shouldn't be a problem with NTFS)
Correct. With FAT32, keeping partitions smaller saves disk space.
But in these days of very cheap large hard drives, the value of
the space you save that way is generally tiny. I think that even
with FAT32, this is no longer a good reason for having multiple
partitions, and should be overruled by other considerations.
> In my case it looks like I will have one OS on a 260 Gig HD. Do
> you
> think this will be a problem?
Most people here are much more often in favor of multiple
partitions than I am, but with a drive that big, even I would
probably have more than one partition.
One of the things you want to think about before deciding how to
partition is how (and what) you're going to backup. Make sure
that your partitioning scheme makes it easy to implement your
backup scheme.
--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup
> "ByTor" <ByTor@snowdog.com> wrote in message
> news:EG7Hd.11916$oc7.2629@fe09.usenetserver.com...
>> In article <IWWGd.213557$Np3.8964306@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca>,
>> happy@trial.ca, Happy says...
>>
>> > Am getting a new computer on the weekend. It will have
>> > Windows XP
>> > pre-loaded, as well as a few other basic programs.
>> > Because it has a large hard drive, I would like to partition
>> > it.
>> > What is the best way (safest) to partition it, and what
>> > suggestions for partitions?
>>
>> I see PMagic has been suggested so you know that
>> suggestion........
>>
>> Obviously this is a proprietary machine and no mention of what
>> kind?
>> One thing I would caution as to elaborate a little bit on
>> Colin's
>> response......
>> Performance wise is correct, no real gain there. If you ever
>> decide
>> to do a "Full" restore(factory shipped state) it will *WIPE*
>> your
>> entire drive....this is including all partitions you have
>> created
>> there by losing all your data on seperate
>> partitions.......I've seen
>> this happen on Comcraps & HP's....It does not restore to the
>> "resized" partition.......
>>
>> This is one of many of my issues with proprietary machines,
>> the lack
>> of a means to store your data safely on to a separate
>> partition. It
>> should be shipped that way so the restore CD only recognizes
>> the OS
>> sized drive, but than again who's to estimate how much room
>> someone
>> needs to install applications. Sort of a catch 22, you'll have
>> to
>> resize the OS partition eventually. I'd rather do it that way
>> than
>> the latter....Yes CD's are all well & great and it's a shame
>> that
>> most people have a simplistic approach to saving there data,
>> "how
>> Windows & applications tells them to save it."
>> Lose your Operating System.....lose all your data....Why?
>> Because
>> it's all saved to one partition! I am definately not
>> comfortable
>> with saving Data to an OS drive, or any ONE drive for that
>> matter......That's a personal choice though....I think an OS
>> on one
>> 200gig HardDrive is ludicrous, but, than again, that a
>> personal
>> choice of mine.... ;0)
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