New Hard drive fresh install Vista x64 question

Hey guys,

Really quick, I don't want this to be a lengthy thread, b/c I know the data is probably else where in the forum, just not all in the same thread.

I may purchase a new hard drive and I'm not sure how to restore the little hidden partition and the Media direct (I can follow Flamenco's thread if I need to).

My question is, do I need to create these two partitions? I don't plan on using media direct ever. Does Vista create the backup partition automatically?

Thanks for the help.

 

Well, if you never use the media direct there is no sense in reinstalling it. Partitioning can be done in the Windows installer if you want it. And no, Vista doesn't create a recovery partition, thats up to you.
You can create a recovery partition if you want to. There is software out there for it.

 

Is a recovery partition worth it if I have an external I will backup to?

 

No, it's not worth it. A recovery partiton helps when you don't have a physical OS disc. Also, drivers and software will not be up-to-date, so that's another downside to it.

 

Excellent, that leaves some available partitions for me then

= Happy me!

Thanks guys!

 

Or you can just make your main disk partition bigger.

 

Yeah, stick to less partitions as possible. Even though some might disagree, it saves disk space.

 

Excellent. Looks like I will leave it to two partitions then.

I am currently dual-booting, but I am interested in Running XP through Virtual PC (I only need it to use a few outdated programs & printer drivers at school). Would that require a separate partition? If not, would it be beneficial to have the files on a separate partition?

 

You don't need an extra partition to use XP on a virtual machine. I only have two partitions, one for the Vista and one for the rest of the stuff and I'm happy with how things are right now. If I want to use VMware I just store the virtual machines on D.

 

I'm a heavy user of VMware (which you can get the server version for free), and that can use a separate partition or it can create virtual disk files on your current partition. There is no need for a separate partition and the disk file method is mush more flexible.

I don't know about Virtual PC, but I would guess that it is similar. I would use disk files if it can, and skip the additional partition.

 

I'm down with using VMware...either way, looks like I'll be needing to hop on some forums to figure out how the heck to get all that up and running

 

Sorry for the double-post:
@Fade: How do you have your two partitions divvied up?

 

Well, 16GB for Windows Server 2008, the rest for the other stuff. I only install the programs on C, no games.