Partitions Questions

Ok I guess I'm taking my first big step into learning about partitions. I recieved my new WD 320gb hd and I bought dual channel ram instead of single channel like I did last time so I'm hoping that I'll see some improvements in performance over the stock 120gb.....but anyway I can call myself a moron but the only true moron is the one that doesn't ask the stupid question. I have a sz220/b btw.

How do I partition a perfectly clean HD with vista?
How will my partitions appear within Vista?
And finally how do partitions make a difference? (I just got some advice that said partitions would help with a 320 and I'm wondering why a little


I'm not an advanced user and but I'm pretty quick with technology. I would like to create one for my documents, games, music/videos, and one for Vista Home Premium. I already created my custom install with Vlite and followed mujja's instructions as far as that goes. It worked without a hitch so it looks like tonight I'm partitioning my hd and already backed my current stuff up and I even have a external storage case ready for my old hd to get my personal stuff off.

I searched for this stuff but I couldn't get a clear picture of what was going on since the information was spread out and people were arguing about stuff way over my head. Thank you very much for any info you can give me.

Rick

 

Well, I would suggest that you make at least 2 partitions. For example: 40 GB in the 1st partition, where you install the operating system, and where you install programs, should be enough. The 2nd partition with the rest for saving documents, games, data, etc. And whenever you need you format only the 1st partition and install the operating system whenever you require.

You can make a 3rd partition with like 60 GB, for future use if you think you're gonna have dual boot (having more than a operating system installed). At least thats what I do.

 

The best bet(?), you need some aftermarket software. Like Acronis or Symantec to split and separate. Sometimes the s/w is available free on the manuf.'s website. The hdd vendor that is. I know Fujitsu *doesn't* have it available anymore.

There's free s/w available but you have to understand the hows and whats of hdds. (I know enough to get myself into trouble. #

I'm looking for a thread to split up my hdd, hide the all but the first partition (or whatever) and reload winders and load some *nix for a dual boot. If anyone has a thread they can point me too. I'm looking now. tnx

 

Vista can split the partitions as well just goto start then right click computer and goto manage, on the left of computer management open disk management. this will show you all your drives, right click the drive you want to partition. cant check the options your given right now im not in windows but google disk management it should point you in the right direction. smaller partitions are favourable as well when windows decides to do a disk scan youd be waiting all day for 320gb hdd to be scanned

 

Thanks guys. I have done the deed and made my vista partition a little small (15gb) but that's ALL that's on there. All my media/documents goes on a 170gb partition and my programs have 100gb. Like you said I can go back and manage them so if it changes it shouldn't be a problem. Thanks again for the help....I stumbled through it like a drunk but I figured it out in the end with your help.