I typically have not as of the past several years, but just picked up a WD 160Gb SATA and am thinking SERIOUSLY about it. I typicaly use one drive as my OS/programs drive and another as the Game/ storage drive.
There are arguements on both sides... some say it data will be less fragmented. Others say it causes more head movement. The list goes on so it's rather pointless.
IMO, however, even if you did separate partitions, programs, including games, tend to write registry settings and other crap all over the place. Fragmenting isn't much of an issue as well unless you're constantly shifting large sums of data around. In a month's usage of my comp, Defrag will prolly say my drive is 1% fragmented... certainly not enough to cause an insane frame-rate drop.
I always preffered one big partition. In-case I ever run out of room on one partition, I don't have to split things up or do resizing.
If you only have one drive and no other place for important stuff you dont want to lose then go for it.
If it doesnt really matter if you need to format for a quick fix to whatever problem then go with one big partition.
Personally I have 1 80gb drive for my OS and programs and a 120gb for files, music and downloads in my main machine.
My other computers all use the 120gb for their storage.
I generally set up systems and recomend at least 2 partitions one to put your OS on and programs on and then another partition just for storage be it documents or downloads. I use to recomend. I use to recomend a small one souly for the OS and put everything else on the second partition. But now with just about every program dumping something to the registry or to the vxd files or dll's etc..etc.. that is no longer practical since re-installing the OS almost always means re-installing every other program you have.
However by keeping data seperate you don't loose all the important stuff when needing a re-install.
Personally my prefered recomendation is always 2 hard drives, but the same break down. a 40 giger(or so) for programs and as big as you can get for your data.
I use one partition for OS and programs and the other for page file and data. Whenever I format the OS partition I don't lose any work because it's all on the data part. makes it easy to backup the data part also ...just grab it and throw it to another drive.
But now with just about every program dumping something to the registry or to the vxd files or dll's etc..etc.. that is no longer practical since re-installing the OS almost always means re-installing every other program you have.
I'd have to agree with Kryst probably. I personally would have a hard time puting all my programs on the same partition as my os partition, but if the os goes everything does need to be reinstalled, and everything likes to spread themselves out over the os anyway. Right now I have 2 partions, 1 for os, 1 for apps. This does not include data storage though and they both are on the same hard drive "currently." It probably is neater if you have a separate appropriate size hard drive for each partition.
I would not recommend spliting up partitions for games and for apps, Lin would be correct in that it gets to messy. I think the 3 partitions was referral to os, programs, and data? That basically is what I have now, but data is on a separate hard drive(s).
Yup that's exactly where imaging comes in handy. But an image is only good if it's a clean base image. Generally speaking the best image is basically an OS with all the drivers and patches. More then that and you could just be putting back the same problems you are trying to clean up.
Yup that's exactly where imaging comes in handy. But an image is only good if it's a clean base image. Generally speaking the best image is basically an OS with all the drivers and patches. More then that and you could just be putting back the same problems you are trying to clean up.
I make a 5GB partition for the OS install, and the rest of the drive for anything else. If anything gets screwed up, I just delete the OS partition, remake it, reinstall, and carry on.
i used to partition the crap out of my drives, but then realized how much of a pain it was in the end when i'd want to try out this or that OS. i say do'nt partition it.
i used to partition the crap out of my drives, but then realized how much of a pain it was in the end when i'd want to try out this or that OS. i say do'nt partition it.
Wouldn't it be easier to do that with partitions? I'm currently testing out different OS's and I find that having a seperate testing partition is the best way to do it. Keep the one partition your primary for your current main os. Another partition or drive just for data files then you can have a third partition to do all your testing on. Then all you need is a boot loader and you can boot off either partition and access your data folder from either. Plus when you want to get rid of an os you just blow off a partition and there is no risk of hurting the remaining os.
Has anyone heard of deep freeze? It's a sweet program. You guys were talking about imaging your OS. And what this does is the same thing... cept it goes back to the origional every time you restart. You cant even tell it's there, besides the discrete icon in the tray. It's really easy to modify the image too. Click a button and restart and you can modify. But if you question a program then install it with the program enabled and use it for a while and if you dont like it then restart. All gone.
This program works miracles. Keeps spyware and othe system bogging items away. On my system it is only set to image the partition that has my OS and programs. The other partition is for data. works beutifully.
here is the website for a 60 day evaluation if your interested. https://www.faronics.com/html/choose.asp
Has anyone heard of deep freeze? It's a sweet program. You guys were talking about imaging your OS. And what this does is the same thing... cept it goes back to the origional every time you restart. You cant even tell it's there, besides the discrete icon in the tray. It's really easy to modify the image too. Click a button and restart and you can modify. But if you question a program then install it with the program enabled and use it for a while and if you dont like it then restart. All gone.
This program works miracles. Keeps spyware and othe system bogging items away. On my system it is only set to image the partition that has my OS and programs. The other partition is for data. works beutifully.
here is the website for a 60 day evaluation if your interested. https://www.faronics.com/html/choose.asp
This isn't a commentary on the program itself. It's just sad that windows needs this kind of stuff in the first place because of all the problems in windows.
Depends how well the user knows how to maintain the windows install. I find that my XP systems tend to stay clean for a lot longer than most people, simply because I take the time now and then to look around for things that shouldn't be happening.
If, nothing else, it's a great filing system. Video, audio, information, school, backup and so on. My smallest partition is 25 gig's up to 100 gig for a scratch disk. Any partition gets corrupted, the others stay cool.
There are arguements on both sides... some say it data will be less fragmented. Others say it causes more head movement. The list goes on so it's rather pointless.
IMO, however, even if you did separate partitions, programs, including games, tend to write registry settings and other crap all over the place. Fragmenting isn't much of an issue as well unless you're constantly shifting large sums of data around. In a month's usage of my comp, Defrag will prolly say my drive is 1% fragmented... certainly not enough to cause an insane frame-rate drop.
I always preffered one big partition. In-case I ever run out of room on one partition, I don't have to split things up or do resizing.
one is one not 2.You must be able to save things where Windows is not a part of.Isn't that obvious ?
Or get a burner some cd-rw's or dvd-rw's that will work too.
But i like somewhere to save things that Windows can't touch.That aint C drive.
:drinkup:
Drive 1:
Partition 1: OS
Partition 2: Files and Crap
Partition 3: USB Drive (explain later)
Partition 4: Swap File
Drive 2:
Partition 1: Backup
Okay. So here is what I do. I like keeping the OS and my files seperate. When Windows fails... and it will... I just blow away the OS. I don't have to search for important files I need ot keep. That's all on partition 2.
Partition 3 is small and I use have it because I have a USB Flash Drive. The USB Flash drive is slower than and IDE drive so I use SmartSync Pro. It Syncs up the data between the Partition and the USB drive so I can work on the Partition and then Sync when I'm done. I also always have a backup of my USB Drive if it needs to be formatted.
Partition 4 is a for the swap. The swap file can fragment your hard drive but if you put it on it's own partition, it won't do as much damage. Also, strong recommendation. Set the Swap to a fixed size. I keep mine at about 800 MB.
Drive 2 is just used for backing up data. I use a backup program that will keep incremental backups of Partition 2 and 3. Then, on a bi-monthly basis, I do a complete backup of Partition 1.
Anyways, hope my 2 cents helps and doesn't confuse. It all comes down to how much work you want to put into it.
Drive 1:
Partition 1: OS
Partition 2: Files and Crap
Partition 3: USB Drive (explain later)
Partition 4: Swap File
Drive 2:
Partition 1: Backup
Okay. So here is what I do. I like keeping the OS and my files seperate. When Windows fails... and it will... I just blow away the OS. I don't have to search for important files I need ot keep. That's all on partition 2.
Partition 3 is small and I use have it because I have a USB Flash Drive. The USB Flash drive is slower than and IDE drive so I use SmartSync Pro. It Syncs up the data between the Partition and the USB drive so I can work on the Partition and then Sync when I'm done. I also always have a backup of my USB Drive if it needs to be formatted.
Partition 4 is a for the swap. The swap file can fragment your hard drive but if you put it on it's own partition, it won't do as much damage. Also, strong recommendation. Set the Swap to a fixed size. I keep mine at about 800 MB.
Drive 2 is just used for backing up data. I use a backup program that will keep incremental backups of Partition 2 and 3. Then, on a bi-monthly basis, I do a complete backup of Partition 1.
Anyways, hope my 2 cents helps and doesn't confuse. It all comes down to how much work you want to put into it.
Reminds me of the days of floppys.I had hundreds.This is the way to do it or burning.But you need at least 1 that Windows won't screw up.
It's just data.If you want to run and install there,that doesn't work too well.
Here's my setup
The USB Flash drive is slower than and IDE drive so I use SmartSync Pro. It Syncs up the data between the Partition and the USB drive so I can work on the Partition and then Sync when I'm done. I also always have a backup of my USB Drive if it needs to be formatted.
.
I too use SmartSync Pro and love the program. It's kind of expensive a bit, but if you go to Froogle, PriceGrabber and Deprice, you can find a nice deal. I bought mine at 10% off (http://www.deprice.com/smartsyncpro.htm) and you can probably find a better deal if you try eBay
Comments
LIN
There are arguements on both sides... some say it data will be less fragmented. Others say it causes more head movement. The list goes on so it's rather pointless.
IMO, however, even if you did separate partitions, programs, including games, tend to write registry settings and other crap all over the place. Fragmenting isn't much of an issue as well unless you're constantly shifting large sums of data around. In a month's usage of my comp, Defrag will prolly say my drive is 1% fragmented... certainly not enough to cause an insane frame-rate drop.
I always preffered one big partition. In-case I ever run out of room on one partition, I don't have to split things up or do resizing.
If it doesnt really matter if you need to format for a quick fix to whatever problem then go with one big partition.
Personally I have 1 80gb drive for my OS and programs and a 120gb for files, music and downloads in my main machine.
My other computers all use the 120gb for their storage.
However by keeping data seperate you don't loose all the important stuff when needing a re-install.
Personally my prefered recomendation is always 2 hard drives, but the same break down. a 40 giger(or so) for programs and as big as you can get for your data.
isn't that where imaging would come in handy?
LIN
I would not recommend spliting up partitions for games and for apps, Lin would be correct in that it gets to messy. I think the 3 partitions was referral to os, programs, and data? That basically is what I have now, but data is on a separate hard drive(s).
Yup that's exactly where imaging comes in handy. But an image is only good if it's a clean base image. Generally speaking the best image is basically an OS with all the drivers and patches. More then that and you could just be putting back the same problems you are trying to clean up.
LIN
Wouldn't it be easier to do that with partitions? I'm currently testing out different OS's and I find that having a seperate testing partition is the best way to do it. Keep the one partition your primary for your current main os. Another partition or drive just for data files then you can have a third partition to do all your testing on. Then all you need is a boot loader and you can boot off either partition and access your data folder from either. Plus when you want to get rid of an os you just blow off a partition and there is no risk of hurting the remaining os.
This program works miracles. Keeps spyware and othe system bogging items away. On my system it is only set to image the partition that has my OS and programs. The other partition is for data. works beutifully.
here is the website for a 60 day evaluation if your interested.
https://www.faronics.com/html/choose.asp
This isn't a commentary on the program itself. It's just sad that windows needs this kind of stuff in the first place because of all the problems in windows.
I have 2 now though.
:drinkup:
I will try Deep Freeze, sounds great.
Or get a burner some cd-rw's or dvd-rw's that will work too.
But i like somewhere to save things that Windows can't touch.That aint C drive.
:drinkup:
Drive 1:
Partition 1: OS
Partition 2: Files and Crap
Partition 3: USB Drive (explain later)
Partition 4: Swap File
Drive 2:
Partition 1: Backup
Okay. So here is what I do. I like keeping the OS and my files seperate. When Windows fails... and it will... I just blow away the OS. I don't have to search for important files I need ot keep. That's all on partition 2.
Partition 3 is small and I use have it because I have a USB Flash Drive. The USB Flash drive is slower than and IDE drive so I use SmartSync Pro. It Syncs up the data between the Partition and the USB drive so I can work on the Partition and then Sync when I'm done. I also always have a backup of my USB Drive if it needs to be formatted.
Partition 4 is a for the swap. The swap file can fragment your hard drive but if you put it on it's own partition, it won't do as much damage. Also, strong recommendation. Set the Swap to a fixed size. I keep mine at about 800 MB.
Drive 2 is just used for backing up data. I use a backup program that will keep incremental backups of Partition 2 and 3. Then, on a bi-monthly basis, I do a complete backup of Partition 1.
Anyways, hope my 2 cents helps and doesn't confuse. It all comes down to how much work you want to put into it.
It's just data.If you want to run and install there,that doesn't work too well.
I too use SmartSync Pro and love the program. It's kind of expensive a bit, but if you go to Froogle, PriceGrabber and Deprice, you can find a nice deal. I bought mine at 10% off (http://www.deprice.com/smartsyncpro.htm) and you can probably find a better deal if you try eBay