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Windows Forum / Windows XP / General Topics 2 / May 2008XP partition size
Hi, I am about to replace my current HD with one with more space and this will give me the opportunity to create a partition exclusively for the OS. My question is this - what size partition do I need to create to comforably accommodate XP?  SignatureCheers Peter -- Cheers Peter > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > My question is this - what size partition do I need to create to > comforably accommodate XP? Why? Leave it as one. If the OS craps and you reload, the apps on the other partition have to be reloaded anyway. Other than maybe data, and backups should handle that, is it worth it? >> Hi, >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > the other partition have to be reloaded anyway. > Other than maybe data, and backups should handle that, is it worth it? I concur with Al. Leave it alone and do NOT just put it on its own partition (not a good choice). >>> Hi, >>> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > I concur with Al. Leave it alone and do NOT just put it on its own > partition (not a good choice). Yes, it is a good choice IMO. It makes data backups faster and easier to do and kept separate from system backups. Other than catastrophic problems, you'll normally only need one of the other, not both; and it's a lot faster to search and restore that way too. You might backup the system once a month but data files daily, etc. so it also conserves space. >> Hi, >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > the other partition have to be reloaded anyway. > Other than maybe data, and backups should handle that, is it worth it? Because it makes data backups easy and faster. A separate system drive is always good. Is there a specific reason you want a separate partition for the OS? > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > My question is this - what size partition do I need to create to > comforably accommodate XP? He probably thinks if anything goes wrong with his system, he can just reload his op system to that partition again and be home free (and everything else is protected on a different partition), but what he's missing is that it doesn't work that way! > Is there a specific reason you want a separate partition for the OS? >> Hi, [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >> >> Peter It works that way for me. Windows on C: and most Applications on D: Image backup of C: prior to any Windows Updates (Custom Option) Image backup of D: prior to and after application updates from MS or others. Once D: is defragmented it rarely needs defragging again. C: on the other hand fragments much quicker. Have restored C: many times without the need to restore D: JS > He probably thinks if anything goes wrong with his system, he can just > reload his op system to that partition again and be home free (and [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >>> >>> Peter Since the Program Files (and App Data and Windows) folder is all on C:, and is inextricably linked to all the user program installations, what's the point of trying to "separate" them, when you really can't? After the user programs are installed, they are all tightly linked to the operating system there, so if you're going to restore it, it makes sense to restore the whole ball of wax. About the ONLY thing I can see you really separating out is - the user's data. > It works that way for me. > Windows on C: and most Applications on D: [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] >>>> >>>> Peter Image backups of the C: partition go a heck of lot faster since most but not all of an applications files are on the D: partition. The image backup of C: (with compression enabled) also fits on a single DVD. JS > Since the Program Files (and App Data and Windows) folder is all on C:, > and is inextricably linked to all the user program installations, what's [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] >>>>> >>>>> Peter Well, that's probably true, but when I do a restoration, I want everything back as it was - not a halfway job. :-) But I don't rely on DVDs for the backup, as the external USB drive enclosure works great for that (and is ONLY turned on when I make the backup image). > Image backups of the C: partition go a heck of lot faster since most > but not all of an applications files are on the D: partition. [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] >>>>>> >>>>>> Peter If nothing changed on the D: partition (typical Windows security updates and not Office updates) then the restore of C: is not a halfway result. JS > Well, that's probably true, but when I do a restoration, I want everything > back as it was - not a halfway job. :-) [quoted text clipped - 55 lines] >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Peter But I change a lot of things, and I want to be covered in ALL cases, not just a select "some" (including Office, or whatever). Besides which, it only takes me 20 minutes to backup the ENTIRE C: partition (about 20 GB worth of system, programs, and data). I can *certainly* wait 15-20 minutes to make this COMPLETE system backup, for the complete peace of mind it offers. It covers ALL bases that way (and trust me, that's come in handy, on occasion :-) > If nothing changed on the D: partition > (typical Windows security updates and not Office updates) [quoted text clipped - 65 lines] >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Peter Can't argue as it does cover all bases. But all on C: or split across 2 partitions like I do, I would still do the Office updates as part of a second pass at the Windows Update site. JS (Two drive heads are better than one :-;) > But I change a lot of things, and I want to be covered in ALL cases, not > just a select "some" (including Office, or whatever). [quoted text clipped - 79 lines] >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Peter Just for the record, I have all my audio and video data files on separate partitions (because either the library is quite large, or the file sizes are quite large, there). So it's not that I'm against partitioning - not by a long shot. :-) > Can't argue as it does cover all bases. > [quoted text clipped - 90 lines] >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Peter No problem, that's why they call them Personal Computers, You configure them to your liking, well almost. This particular PC has three drives (added over time) and multiple partitions. JS > Just for the record, I have all my audio and video data files on separate > partitions (because either the library is quite large, or the file sizes [quoted text clipped - 96 lines] >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Peter > Since the Program Files (and App Data and Windows) folder is all on C:, > and is inextricably linked to all the user program installations, what's [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > to restore the whole ball of wax. About the ONLY thing I can see you > really separating out is - the user's data. I strongly advocate the use of a dual-boot system as well as compartmentalization of Windows components. My computer is set up in this way, using two separate hard drives. I am using hard disk 0 to run the following dual-boot system: Windows 98SE is on one the first primary partition of disk 0. Only a few essential Windows 98 non-operating system program files reside on this partition (WinZip, Adobe Reader, CD burning software etc.). The program files for all other Windows 98 programs reside on the primary partition of hard disk 1 (drive D), along with all data files which can be shared between 98 and XP. Windows XP pro is on the second primary partition of disk 0. Only a few essential XP non-operating system program files reside on this partition (WinZip, Adobe Reader, CD burning software etc.). The program files for all other Windows XP programs and Outlook Express mail reside on the extended partition (drive E) on hard disk 0. I have made Ghost images of Windows 98, Windows XP and drive E. The program files for Windows 98 are not that important, because I use it only as a source for a DOS prompt, an Internet research tool when Windows XP is giving me problems and to run a backup word processing program and database should XP become inoperative again. All data files are backed up on other USB hard drives and DVDs. Having access to the Internet on Windows 98 was invaluable when I first tried to get XP working. I was able to do searches based on error messages and solve the problems. It turned out that it was a CMOS issue, but I would never have figured this out on my own. Another time I had to find out how to use the XP Repair Console to find a "missing" Boot.ini file after re-sizing the partitions on drive 0. Having a dual-boot system is a lot like having two separate computers. Arranging my computer in this fashion really saves time when system restoration become necessary. The ability to back up only the partition containing the operating system (and not the data files and program files) keeps the Ghost images small and cuts their creation time by at least 75%. The vast majority of problems with XP are a result of screw ups in the registry and other system files. Therefore, it is not necessary to restore the entire XP group of operating system, program files and data files. With one exception, restoring the operating system to its previous working condition has solved all XP problems. The only time that I needed to restore the XP program files on drive E was when WordPerfect 8 crashed. Restoring the Ghost image of drive E took 25 minutes and was a lot easier than trying to fix WordPerfect. As a result of using this computer setup, I now have XP Ghost images, made with Fast compression, which can be restored in about 45 minutes: Ghost 17 -- Clean, well-functioning Windows XP SP2 system. Ghost 18 -- Contains the addition of Internet Explorer 7. Ghost 19 -- Contains the addition of Service Pack 3. As a result of reading this newsgroup, I now know that I should have installed Service Pack 3 before installing Explorer 7. Fortunately, I have had no problems, but it's true, Explorer 7 cannot be un-installed. I can leave things the way they are, or I can restore Ghost 17, install Service Pack 3 and then install Explorer 7. This entire procedure would take a little over one hour. Anyway, I will probably get chastised for writing a book on the newsgroup, so I will stop rambling now. >Is there a specific reason you want a separate partition for the OS? >> Hi, [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >> My question is this - what size partition do I need to create to >> comforably accommodate XP? You will get heaps of bad advice here but generally that is from people who are not keen on backing up or using Acronis for making Images. I am of course just a youngster at the game as I only stared computing in 1982. I have always partitioned my disks and have not to often got into trouble. Generally I prefer to have 12-15 GB of space for the OS but at the moment I am coping nicely with 10GB. For that reason I have shifted my Paging files to another disk - more of that later. I still have 2 GB left out of the 10GB. Here is how my system is working. For your information, my stats are: Win XP PRO 2, Pentium 4 3 Ghz 2 Gb memory,ADSL 200+200 GB of disc(0),(1), 750GB Raid0 C:10GB, D:and E; 88GB each F: and G: 93 GB each Raid0 H: I: J: 143 GB, K: 269GB. 2 Burners 2xDVD (Pioneer make) 320 GB USB2 external I: is used as Acronis backup storage for the first 200 GB disk For the purpose of recovering space on your C: Drive, you should change the Location of the Paging File. I can take as much as 2 GB on the partition where you should only have the Operating System. To change Paging File Location. As the Administrator, right click My Computer. In System Properties click Advanced. Click Performance Settings. In Performance Options click Advanced/Change Now you can change C:to 500Mb and you must then allow a partition preferably on another disk to carry a Paging file of about 2GB ie 2000MB. In my case I recovered the 2GB on C: drive which made the machine run a lot faster. Børge in sunny Perth, Australia PS can you imagine the mess I should get into if a disk stops working. AS it is now I have backup of all but the RAid which of course keep itself backed up Some of the backup atr in the raid and some in the External 320 GB disk If you install your applications to a second partition then 25GB should be fine for the average user. JS > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > My question is this - what size partition do I need to create to > comforably accommodate XP? i wouldn't replace it. instead add the new drive to your current system as a slave drive. this will keep you from reinstalling windows and everything else. further, since you have added more space to your system, you can move all your personal files to the new drive, thus making room on the other disk. also, the new drive can be used to hold back ups too. if you do utilize the methodology above and add the new drive, right click on my documents and use the option to move the entire section to the new drive (automatically). Signaturedb·´¯`·...¸><)))º> > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > My question is this - what size partition do I need to create to > comforably accommodate XP? >Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >My question is this - what size partition do I need to create to >comforably accommodate XP? OK, thanks for all your replies - a little more research is needed before I go ahead SignatureCheers Peter >>Hi, >> [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >OK, thanks for all your replies - a little more research is needed >before I go ahead Since these guys are whining among themselves.... I just re-loaded my laptop with a 160gig drive and made my Windows partition 40 gigs. I load some of my really big programs on the other partition (D). Part of it still goes to C, but it's no problem. If you ONLY have Windows on the C:\ partition, 12 gigs is more than enough - not recommend by too many people. >> Hi, >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > OK, thanks for all your replies - a little more research is needed > before I go ahead Check Wikipedia.org for some good write ups. > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Peter It depends. On what you want for software. Standard systems are often fine with 10 Gig. I have 17 Gig of system files on this machine and a 40 Gig system partition, but I have a LOT of huge applications. 20 Gig would likely be a good figure IMO if space is a concern. If you start to calculate space, don't forget the hidden things like Restore Points, temp files, page file, log files, etc etc etc. They all need room to grow. In general you want about 2 1/2 to 3 times the amount of space you think you need. HTH |
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