HD Install...use partitions?

[JohnnyTheRed]

Just got a WD800JB. Before I spend the time installing it, I'd like to find out how exactly I should set it up.

Is the general recommendation to make 2 partitions. One only for the page file, and the second for everything else. Or is it three partitions? One for the page file, one for the OS files, and one for everything else?

I'll be installing XP Pro, so I can just set the partitions during setup. Then install the OS onto one of them.

Once that's finished, I'll swap the page file onto one of the other partitions. Then I'll just keep everything else on the biggest partition.

Any recommendations on partition sizes? 10GB for the Page File? 10GB for the OS? And 60GB for the rest?

- Thanks a ton for your time and recommendations.

 

[dustybyrd]

partition it into 5, 30-40, and the rest...

5 is all you need for the swap file...

30-40 for windows and program files...depending on how many you plan on installing (maybe even 20 gigs)

and the rest is for backup programs, downloads, and vital data...

that way if you have to reinstall///reformat the windows drive you don't lose any vital data....

that has saved me 10+ times...

 

[JohnnyTheRed]

partition it into 5, 30-40, and the rest...
that way if you have to reinstall///reformat the windows drive you don't lose any vital data....

But if I'm installing a good amount of programs, I'd have to take the time to re-install those when reinstalling/reformatting, right? Shouldn't I keep the OS files on their own partition?

- Thanks

 

[spoken81]

IMO, I personally wouldn't even use a page file if you have the 512mb of ram in your sig.

As for partioning, on my 80Gb I use one 8Gb for OS, virus, and essentials, 40Gb for programs, and about 30Gb for backup and other stuff.

 

[attack]

I run 4gb for temporery internet files, 4gb for swap, 16 for OS and rest for program files and everything else, I also have a second drive setup to 4gb for a secondary swipe file and rest for back ups. I recomend keeping the OS by itself in it's own partition with no program files on it. That way when you want to reinstall your OS it's so simple it's easy.

 

[JohnnyTheRed]

Lots of different options. I hadn't even thought about keeping Temp Internet Files by themselves :/

I do run this one with 512MB RAM, so I'll take that into consideration, now that you mentioned it. I was thinking of adding another stick anyways.

- Thanks for the info

 

[JohnnyTheRed]

Would I setup the partitions during the XP Pro install? Or should I make one partition and use Partition Magic 8 to configure all the partitions after the OS is installed?

Do programs like partition magic, sisoft sandra, warcraft 3, and such have to be installed on the OS partition? Or do they run fine on their own space?

- Thanks again