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    Some question about hard drives

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by adcavalier20, Jun 6, 2008.

  1. adcavalier20

    adcavalier20 Notebook Consultant

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    Why does having a partition for files separate from your OS/programs make it so you don't need to make backups for your files?

    Dumb question ... Can I get a virus on my notebook when I'm downloading something to an external drive and it for whatever reason contains a virus?

    Sorry if these are dumb questions :p
     
    adcavalier20, Jun 6, 2008
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  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    1. If your drive sector gets corrupted, then only that partition needs to be wiped and restored. Thus, if your OS partition dies, you still have all your files.

    However, this does not prevent the data partition from dying, nor does it prevent data loss from complete HDD failure. You always should backup your data, no matter how many partitions you use.

    2. Yes, you can get a virus from any source that could potentially contain one.
     
    Lithus, Jun 6, 2008
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  3. adcavalier20

    adcavalier20 Notebook Consultant

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    1. That makes sense, thank you. What would be the biggest advantage to partitioning then?

    2. Just to clarify ... Let's say I'm saving a file straight to an external drive, then I can still get a virus on my notebook? Sorry if that's basically what you just said, but like I said I need some clarification.

    And to add to that, I've never done much downloading with my current desktop, I do have an anti-virus, but I guess with my conservative use I've never gotten a virus. Is there any precautions I can take aside from an anti-virus being installed to know if a certain link is actually a virus?

    Thanks for your helpful answers! :cool:
     
    adcavalier20, Jun 6, 2008
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  4. _Webster_

    _Webster_ Notebook Consultant

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    If you have your data files on a different partition it's easier/faster to backup your data since you only need to select that particular partition.

    Plus, like Lithus mentioned if your OS messes up, you can just reformat the partition the OS is located on while leaving your data partition alone.
     
    _Webster_, Jun 6, 2008
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  5. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

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    If you have only 1 partition and that one gets messed up for some reason and you have to wipe it, you los EVERYTHING, not just the OS ,but files,games,music,videos etc.
    Whereas having 1 partition for the OS (~30GB for Vista, 15Gb for XP) makes it easier for a reinstall and not lose all the things on the drive.

    But as Lithus said,a hdd failure will kill everything regardles..
    I have 3 partitions, 1 for OS, 1 for games and another 1 for stuff at the moment.
     
    eleron911, Jun 6, 2008
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