Best partition configuration for Vista?

My Vista installation got fried recently due to a bad shut down. I figure this gives me a good excuse to do a clean install on my laptop rather than restore the factory install. This will enable me to set up a more proper configuration, among other things. I'm not sure how to go about doing it. I basically just want to have a system/boot partition with Vista on it, and then the rest for all my files. Or perhaps create a system/boot, data drive, and then another drive for programs. Basically keeping the irreplaceable separate from everything else.

I also have Ubuntu installed on a partition but I have it set up right now where there is the Ubuntu partition, and everything else is free space. Hopefully I will be able to do what I am wanting without formatting the whole drive.

Thanks.

 

Hi.

I always use 1/3 for C: system/boot and 2/3 for D: userdata

Regards

John.

 

Or the basic configuration of two drives 1/2 each

 

Either should be fine, just don't fill up the C partition with anything unless necessary.

 

windows and programs on C:,
files, musics, movies, documents, on D:
1:1 or 1:2 depends on how much data do you have for D:

 

How do I set that up during install? Can I create those partitions during the Vista install process? Format a partition for Vista and programs, and then another for data, both NTFS, and then just choose one for Vista?

 

Yes usually when you do a clean install it will ask you how large you want the OS partition to be. The rest will be "free space" until you format it to NTFS.

I have 100GB for Vista. I first tried 60GB and found I was getting too full for my liking with games and apps I have so I reformatted to 100GB. Now I have about 50% of C: free all the time. I like to have lots of room to play with as I may have many games installed at once. And CS3 is a hog too.

 

So you keep your programs on the same partition as Vista? I was thinking of having a small partition with just vista, and everything else on a larger partition. Is this not a good idea?

 

I am currently in training for my MCDST and my instructor said partioning the drive for an OS and "Other" would actually slow down the data transer. What's your thoughts?

 

Your instructor has NO CLUE what they are talking about. That is pure BS. I have been involved with microcomputers since 1976 and can tell you there is such NO slow down attibutable to having two partitions. I would be happy to debate the issue with this "instructor" if they would care to join the conversation here. [shakes head in disbelief]

Gary

 

His rationing is the read write head is forced to be more active switching back and forth from each partition. He said using multiple HD's would be beneficial for seperate OS and other files.

 

The main purpose of two partitions is to have the executable stuff separate from the data stuff. That way backup and restore of one does not effect the other. If you put the OS on C: and the programs on D: and the data on D:, you would always have to backup and restore both C: and D: at the same time. Remember even though the programs might be on D: in this configuration, the registry is still on C:. You can't run the programs without the registry. If you had a backup of D: and installed a new app and it was a dog and you restored your backup of D:, your registry would still have all the junk in it about this new program.

It is far better to put the OS and Programs on the same partition. That way you ALWAYS know that the programs and registry are in sync.

You can safely restore the C: partition without affecting the data on the D: partition. And you can safely restore the data partition without affecting the OS or Programs.

I alway move the Documents and Favorites folders to the D: partition. And I also put my Outlook PST file there too, it is data!!! (That last one can be a bit tricky. But there are many pages on the web with how to's for that. Try slipstick.com)

Gary

 

BULL! It is still going to have to move regardless if it is one or two partitions.

Gary

 

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense now.

 

That's what I thought. Thanks-

 

Me too. What he says \/ \/ \/ \/

 

I know how to move the My Documents folder in XP (that was easy), but I'm not seeing how to do it in Vista. Any insight?

As for the partitions, I agree with the consensus... One drive for OS and programs, and another for all personal data. I do, however, put stand-alone apps on the second drive as they are not installed.

 

Yup right here --> http://www.tweakhound.com/vista/tweakguide/page_4.htm

 

Excellent. Thank you.