Hard Disk Partitions

Hello again,

I was wondering if people had suggestions regarding how to set up hard disk partitions to help optimize the hard disk space for speed and convenience.

I figure if I have a specific partiton just for the pagefile and virtual memory - it'll never be fragmented and I can change it at will (maybe max size 4GB). Then if I have a partition for the OS separately - if I ever need to reload windows - my data should be safe on another partition. I was also wondering if I should put all programs that are not directly system related (e.g. office, etc) on a separate partition or should I just keep them with the system partition? I would probably have to reload them with a system redo anyway wouldn't I? I was thinking of a last partition just for My Documents. I'm only using XP and not interested in multiple OS options. I've never really partitioned disks for this reason though so I don't know if I'm making any sense.

So basically I was debating between the following:

1) No partitions - just keep it all the same
2) 3 partitions: system and programs; virtual memory/pagefile; My Documents
3) 4 partitions: system; virtual memory/pagefile; programs (e.g. office); My Documents
4) Any other suggestion that meets my goal of keeping the system fast that you may suggest.

What size partitions would be needed?
Will partitioning the disk slow it down, speed it up, or have no effect besides ease of recovery and defragmenting?

Thank you in advance,
MFI

 

Hi MyforumID,
I just have everything on one partition right now. In the past I've tried and used many different combination. There's no real speed increase or decrease from splitting the drive into many partitions, it's really just for organization and can make backups of just certain file types easier. One thing to consider is that the 1st partition made will be closest to the outer diameter of the disks on the drive; The fastest part of the drive is the outer diameter so put the OS and or pagefile there. Having a seperate partition for video/mp3 files is also good. Personally I've never put programs on a different partition than the OS, the reason is because the registry which hold all the configuration data of most applications is part of the OS. So if you had them on different partitions and say the OS partition crapped out, you would still need to reinstall all your applications for them to work as the OS would not think there were any apps until they were installed. Maybe others will give your their opinions on this as well, but I like everything on one partition on my notebook and since I do regular backups and defrags their is no performance loss from keeping it all on one partition.

Jack

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" (Ben Franklin)
http://pbase.com/joneill

 

I set mind up with three partitions, "XP Pro" on C, "Paging File" on E, and "Programs & Data" on F. The "C" drive is set at 8 GB's, the "E" drive is set at 2 GB's, and the "F" drive is left with 45 GB's. The CD & DVD was left on D.
The C drive has everything connected with the OS. The "F" drive is separated into folders called: Program Files, Photo's, Documents, Downloaded Programs. When I install a program, it wants to default to C:/Program files but all I have to do is change the drive letter from "C" to "F" and continue with the install. After everything is set up, I can use "Drive Image" to make a copy of the C drive and store it on the "F" drive. Every once in a while I just make another image of the "C" drive to keep it updated. Then if my C drive & OS gets corrupted, instead of re-installing everything, I just put back my last image and I am up and running.
This works for me, your mileage may differ.

WinginHunk, www.wills-domain.com
Focus your eyes to where you want to be,
Not to where you are afraid of falling to....