Partition size

I plan to fdisk and format to do a clean install of Win XP Home. I have a
40 gig drive and am wondering what would be a acceptable size for the
primary partition? I plan to use the other partition as data storage and
the primary would hold the OS and programs. I back up all data and save
large files to CD disk. All I would store there are the usual Word and
Excel files plus accounting data, and the occasional bmp or jpg.

Thanks,

Bart

Bart,

Probably a question best asked in a NG supporting XP but since you asked
..... In my case I am using 8GB partitions for all my XP systems but note
that I relocate the following objects to other partitions:
a) pagefile
b) Temp (both user and system) and Temporary Internet Folders
c) Desktop,
d) My Documents
e) Outlook Express message store.

With fairly well endowed systems in terms of software (Office Enterprise
plus extras, WordPerfect, PhotoPaint, Adobe Premiere, Sound Forge, etc.)
and with the SR archive set to 500MB I tend to use around 4GB of my system
partitions.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



"Bart" wrote ...

I plan to fdisk and format to do a clean install of Win XP Home. I have
a
40 gig drive and am wondering what would be a acceptable size for the
primary partition? I plan to use the other partition as data storage
and
the primary would hold the OS and programs. I back up all data and save
large files to CD disk. All I would store there are the usual Word and
Excel files plus accounting data, and the occasional bmp or jpg.

Thanks,

Very little of actual, realistic additional use can be added to Mike's
recommendations.

FWIW, Consider three partitions for the 40 GB HD: 1) OS & programs; 2)
personal data; 3) backup files and images.
Then you can easily and quickly backup the OS/programs and the personal data
to one image, stored on the backup partition.
Ditto for copying personal data files in the native format.
Then copy the backup files, and/or images, to whatever additional media you
desire. It could be a second HD or any removable media or any external
storage.

Consider how long you wish to preserve the files before choosing a media.
Eg., flash memory is not the best choice for your child's first year
photos!
----

Partition planning

http://www.aumha.org/a/parts.htm
http://badour.freewebsites.com/html/partitions.html
http://www.newlogic.co.uk/kbase/fdisk/page1.htm
http://www2.cajun.net/~theriots/blk/...share_part.htm
--
Best of Luck,
Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase"
Associate Expert - Windows XP

--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/nichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Mike M" wrote in message
...
Bart,

Probably a question best asked in a NG supporting XP but since you asked
.... In my case I am using 8GB partitions for all my XP systems but note
that I relocate the following objects to other partitions:
a) pagefile
b) Temp (both user and system) and Temporary Internet Folders
c) Desktop,
d) My Documents
e) Outlook Express message store.

With fairly well endowed systems in terms of software (Office Enterprise
plus extras, WordPerfect, PhotoPaint, Adobe Premiere, Sound Forge, etc.)
and with the SR archive set to 500MB I tend to use around 4GB of my system
partitions.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



"Bart" wrote ...

I plan to fdisk and format to do a clean install of Win XP Home. I have
a
40 gig drive and am wondering what would be a acceptable size for the
primary partition? I plan to use the other partition as data storage
and
the primary would hold the OS and programs. I back up all data and save
large files to CD disk. All I would store there are the usual Word and
Excel files plus accounting data, and the occasional bmp or jpg.

Thanks,

Thanks, Jack and to Mike as well! I would think that managing your HHD's
partitions such as you suggested would be applicable to any OS. I believe I
will go the tri-route and set a discipline that allows me to have secure
backups in the event that the unimaginable happens! Thanks again.

Bart

"Jack E Martinelli" wrote in message
...
Very little of actual, realistic additional use can be added to Mike's
recommendations.

FWIW, Consider three partitions for the 40 GB HD: 1) OS & programs; 2)
personal data; 3) backup files and images.
Then you can easily and quickly backup the OS/programs and the personal
data
to one image, stored on the backup partition.
Ditto for copying personal data files in the native format.
Then copy the backup files, and/or images, to whatever additional media
you
desire. It could be a second HD or any removable media or any external
storage.

Consider how long you wish to preserve the files before choosing a media.
Eg., flash memory is not the best choice for your child's first year
photos!
----

Partition planning

http://www.aumha.org/a/parts.htm
http://badour.freewebsites.com/html/partitions.html
http://www.newlogic.co.uk/kbase/fdisk/page1.htm
http://www2.cajun.net/~theriots/blk/...share_part.htm
--
Best of Luck,
Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase"
Associate Expert - Windows XP

--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/nichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Mike M" wrote in message
...
Bart,

Probably a question best asked in a NG supporting XP but since you asked
.... In my case I am using 8GB partitions for all my XP systems but
note
that I relocate the following objects to other partitions:
a) pagefile
b) Temp (both user and system) and Temporary Internet Folders
c) Desktop,
d) My Documents
e) Outlook Express message store.

With fairly well endowed systems in terms of software (Office Enterprise
plus extras, WordPerfect, PhotoPaint, Adobe Premiere, Sound Forge, etc.)
and with the SR archive set to 500MB I tend to use around 4GB of my
system
partitions.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



"Bart" wrote ...

I plan to fdisk and format to do a clean install of Win XP Home. I
have
a
40 gig drive and am wondering what would be a acceptable size for the
primary partition? I plan to use the other partition as data storage
and
the primary would hold the OS and programs. I back up all data and
save
large files to CD disk. All I would store there are the usual Word
and
Excel files plus accounting data, and the occasional bmp or jpg.

Thanks,

Bart,

Just a small clarification of my earlier post. When I said "In my case I
am using 8GB partitions for all my XP systems" I meant to say 8GB for my
SYSTEM partitions. This particular box for example has four hard disks
totalling around 600GB including two 200GB sata drives each of which
contains a single data partition (used for video and audio work). It is
only my system and scratch partitions that I keep small. The scratch
partition is on a different disk to the system partition and contains my
Temp & TIF folders as well as paging file.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



"Bart" wrote ...

Thanks, Jack and to Mike as well! I would think that managing your
HHD's
partitions such as you suggested would be applicable to any OS. I
believe I
will go the tri-route and set a discipline that allows me to have secure
backups in the event that the unimaginable happens! Thanks again.

Bart wrote: "... set a discipline that allows me to have secure
backups in the event that the unimaginable happens! "

Then consider adding a second, fast hard drive and keeping the "Backup"
partition on it, in the event the primary drive fails, as it certainly will
some day. Copies of the stores can be made to removable media.

You might be interested in a program, Diskeeper, included with the older
Powerquest Partition Magic 8.0.
Diskeeper monitors, in real time, all file changes, keeping stores of older
files for reversion.
In your case, this reversion store would be keep in the "Backup" partition,
preferably on the second drive.
Effect on system performance is minimal.

N.B. This Powerquest program is not to be confused with the
identically-named Executive Software's defragmenter, Diskeeper.
--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/nichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Bart" wrote in message
...
Thanks, Jack and to Mike as well! I would think that managing your HHD's
partitions such as you suggested would be applicable to any OS. I believe
I
will go the tri-route and set a discipline that allows me to have secure
backups in the event that the unimaginable happens! Thanks again.

Bart

"Jack E Martinelli" wrote in message
...
Very little of actual, realistic additional use can be added to Mike's
recommendations.

FWIW, Consider three partitions for the 40 GB HD: 1) OS & programs; 2)
personal data; 3) backup files and images.
Then you can easily and quickly backup the OS/programs and the personal
data
to one image, stored on the backup partition.
Ditto for copying personal data files in the native format.
Then copy the backup files, and/or images, to whatever additional media
you
desire. It could be a second HD or any removable media or any external
storage.

Consider how long you wish to preserve the files before choosing a
media.
Eg., flash memory is not the best choice for your child's first year
photos!
----

Partition planning

http://www.aumha.org/a/parts.htm
http://badour.freewebsites.com/html/partitions.html
http://www.newlogic.co.uk/kbase/fdisk/page1.htm
http://www2.cajun.net/~theriots/blk/...share_part.htm
--
Best of Luck,
Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase"
Associate Expert - Windows XP

--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/nichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Mike M" wrote in message
...
Bart,

Probably a question best asked in a NG supporting XP but since you
asked
.... In my case I am using 8GB partitions for all my XP systems but
note
that I relocate the following objects to other partitions:
a) pagefile
b) Temp (both user and system) and Temporary Internet Folders
c) Desktop,
d) My Documents
e) Outlook Express message store.

With fairly well endowed systems in terms of software (Office
Enterprise
plus extras, WordPerfect, PhotoPaint, Adobe Premiere, Sound Forge,
etc.)
and with the SR archive set to 500MB I tend to use around 4GB of my
system
partitions.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



"Bart" wrote ...

I plan to fdisk and format to do a clean install of Win XP Home. I
have
a
40 gig drive and am wondering what would be a acceptable size for
the
primary partition? I plan to use the other partition as data
storage
and
the primary would hold the OS and programs. I back up all data and
save
large files to CD disk. All I would store there are the usual Word
and
Excel files plus accounting data, and the occasional bmp or jpg.

Thanks,

With respect, Jack - if the second HD is to be used solely for
backup/restore purposes - does it really need to be 'fast'??

IMHO, I'd rather have 'reliable' than 'fast' for this purpose - as I can
schedule backups for downtime, and if the worst happens and I need a
restore, then I ain't too fussy about how long it takes!g



--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Jack E Martinelli" wrote in message
...
Bart wrote: "... set a discipline that allows me to have secure
backups in the event that the unimaginable happens! "

Then consider adding a second, fast hard drive and keeping the "Backup"
partition on it, in the event the primary drive fails, as it certainly
will
some day. Copies of the stores can be made to removable media.

You might be interested in a program, Diskeeper, included with the older
Powerquest Partition Magic 8.0.
Diskeeper monitors, in real time, all file changes, keeping stores of
older
files for reversion.
In your case, this reversion store would be keep in the "Backup"
partition,
preferably on the second drive.
Effect on system performance is minimal.

N.B. This Powerquest program is not to be confused with the
identically-named Executive Software's defragmenter, Diskeeper.
--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/nichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Bart" wrote in message
...
Thanks, Jack and to Mike as well! I would think that managing your HHD's
partitions such as you suggested would be applicable to any OS. I
believe
I
will go the tri-route and set a discipline that allows me to have secure
backups in the event that the unimaginable happens! Thanks again.

Bart

"Jack E Martinelli" wrote in message
...
Very little of actual, realistic additional use can be added to Mike's
recommendations.

FWIW, Consider three partitions for the 40 GB HD: 1) OS & programs; 2)
personal data; 3) backup files and images.
Then you can easily and quickly backup the OS/programs and the personal
data
to one image, stored on the backup partition.
Ditto for copying personal data files in the native format.
Then copy the backup files, and/or images, to whatever additional media
you
desire. It could be a second HD or any removable media or any external
storage.

Consider how long you wish to preserve the files before choosing a
media.
Eg., flash memory is not the best choice for your child's first year
photos!
----

Partition planning

http://www.aumha.org/a/parts.htm
http://badour.freewebsites.com/html/partitions.html
http://www.newlogic.co.uk/kbase/fdisk/page1.htm
http://www2.cajun.net/~theriots/blk/...share_part.htm
--
Best of Luck,
Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase"
Associate Expert - Windows XP

--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/nichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Mike M" wrote in message
...
Bart,

Probably a question best asked in a NG supporting XP but since you
asked
.... In my case I am using 8GB partitions for all my XP systems but
note
that I relocate the following objects to other partitions:
a) pagefile
b) Temp (both user and system) and Temporary Internet Folders
c) Desktop,
d) My Documents
e) Outlook Express message store.

With fairly well endowed systems in terms of software (Office
Enterprise
plus extras, WordPerfect, PhotoPaint, Adobe Premiere, Sound Forge,
etc.)
and with the SR archive set to 500MB I tend to use around 4GB of my
system
partitions.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



"Bart" wrote ...

I plan to fdisk and format to do a clean install of Win XP Home. I
have
a
40 gig drive and am wondering what would be a acceptable size for
the
primary partition? I plan to use the other partition as data
storage
and
the primary would hold the OS and programs. I back up all data and
save
large files to CD disk. All I would store there are the usual Word
and
Excel files plus accounting data, and the occasional bmp or jpg.

Thanks,

You got your card fixed then g
Joan

Noel Paton wrote:
With respect, Jack - if the second HD is to be used solely for
backup/restore purposes - does it really need to be 'fast'??
snip

Hi, Jack,

The application that's included with PM 8 for backups is Datakeeper 5.0.
I've been using for a while for backups. I don't use the real-time
function but have tried it, and it works nicely. Overall, it's a very
easy to use application. It's also bailed me out on a couple of
occasions when I've lost some data files.

Tom

Jack E Martinelli wrote:
Bart wrote: "... set a discipline that allows me to have secure
backups in the event that the unimaginable happens! "

Then consider adding a second, fast hard drive and keeping the "Backup"
partition on it, in the event the primary drive fails, as it certainly will
some day. Copies of the stores can be made to removable media.

You might be interested in a program, Diskeeper, included with the older
Powerquest Partition Magic 8.0.
Diskeeper monitors, in real time, all file changes, keeping stores of older
files for reversion.
In your case, this reversion store would be keep in the "Backup" partition,
preferably on the second drive.
Effect on system performance is minimal.

N.B. This Powerquest program is not to be confused with the
identically-named Executive Software's defragmenter, Diskeeper.

How about a partition for the OS, ME or XP, a partition for applications, a
partition for data and a partition for backup files? Like maybe a
10-10-10-10 or a 5-15-10-10? I have the 40 gig and have roughly 31 gig as
free space. Can that scenario work?

Bart

"Jack E Martinelli" wrote in message
...
Very little of actual, realistic additional use can be added to Mike's
recommendations.

FWIW, Consider three partitions for the 40 GB HD: 1) OS & programs; 2)
personal data; 3) backup files and images.
Then you can easily and quickly backup the OS/programs and the personal
data
to one image, stored on the backup partition.
Ditto for copying personal data files in the native format.
Then copy the backup files, and/or images, to whatever additional media
you
desire. It could be a second HD or any removable media or any external
storage.

Consider how long you wish to preserve the files before choosing a media.
Eg., flash memory is not the best choice for your child's first year
photos!
----

Partition planning

http://www.aumha.org/a/parts.htm
http://badour.freewebsites.com/html/partitions.html
http://www.newlogic.co.uk/kbase/fdisk/page1.htm
http://www2.cajun.net/~theriots/blk/...share_part.htm
--
Best of Luck,
Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase"
Associate Expert - Windows XP

--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/nichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Mike M" wrote in message
...
Bart,

Probably a question best asked in a NG supporting XP but since you asked
.... In my case I am using 8GB partitions for all my XP systems but
note
that I relocate the following objects to other partitions:
a) pagefile
b) Temp (both user and system) and Temporary Internet Folders
c) Desktop,
d) My Documents
e) Outlook Express message store.

With fairly well endowed systems in terms of software (Office Enterprise
plus extras, WordPerfect, PhotoPaint, Adobe Premiere, Sound Forge, etc.)
and with the SR archive set to 500MB I tend to use around 4GB of my
system
partitions.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



"Bart" wrote ...

I plan to fdisk and format to do a clean install of Win XP Home. I
have
a
40 gig drive and am wondering what would be a acceptable size for the
primary partition? I plan to use the other partition as data storage
and
the primary would hold the OS and programs. I back up all data and
save
large files to CD disk. All I would store there are the usual Word
and
Excel files plus accounting data, and the occasional bmp or jpg.

Thanks,