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General discussion

Adding memory to a partition

Sep 10, 2010 4:35PM PDT

When I first received my computer from ASUS (U43J), the C: SYSTEM drive had 116 GB, 80 of which were free with the OS installed, while the D: DATA drive had a whooping 380 free, only one of which I have used for my user data (which I have moved over there) and very little of which I believe I will be able to use with this data. My question is whether there is any way to move memory from the D drive to the C drive, or whether I should just reinstall my programs onto the D drive, assuming this is possible.

Discussion is locked

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Two things
Sep 10, 2010 10:59PM PDT

Two things.

1: You're talking about storage, not memory. It's a minor, but important, distinction to make.

2: You want a non-destructive partitioning program. Just be aware that there are no guarantees with these programs. They may work flawlessly 99.9% of the time, but there's always that 0.1% chance you'll end up having to reinstall everything. So, remember the mantra: We only lose what we don't back up.

Partition Magic is one such repartition program, that will get you started in looking for others. Other people may chime in with suggestions as well.

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Memory and hard disk space.
Sep 10, 2010 11:23PM PDT

Like Jimmy says, memory, (RAM), and hard disk space are not the same.

If I understand your post correctly, you have the following;

1] C drive where XP is installed, 116GB of which 80GB is still free.

2] D drive, 380GB of which 379GB is free.

I have to ask, why change this?

Your C drive still has a lot of free space remaining and you are unlikely to use that up in the near future, no matter how many more software applications you install.

Your D drive can be used for storing things like videos, music, photos, all your personal files.

I see no reason to 'upset the balance'.

Mark

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Reasons for change
Sep 11, 2010 1:52PM PDT

I don't really know if the change is even necessary. Assuming I install all future programs on the C drive anyways, I don't think it could take up more than 10 or 20 more gigabytes, and even that seems like a lot. So I was just wondering if the computer would run smoother/faster if it had as much free storage space on that C drive, or whether it doesn't make a difference unless that C drive is totally full. Also its Windows 7, not Windows XP.

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I see what you're getting at.
Sep 11, 2010 7:15PM PDT

It seems logical to suggest that the OS will find it easier and quicker if all programs and data are on the same partition where it is installed.

However, even if that is true, the difference in times will be so vanishingly small, milliseconds, that us users will never notice the difference. I have much of my personal data on a 2nd hard drive and I honestly can not see any difference in read/write times.

I think that, for everyday users like ourselves, storing data on other partitions or drives makes no difference.

One thing though. My personal data is backed up. I have two copies of everything, (that's the original, plus two copies), backed up away from those hard drives. If my OS fails, or if a hard drive packs up, then I haven't lost any of my personal files.

Mark

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Okay
Sep 12, 2010 4:52AM PDT

That sounds good, I'll install all future programs on the C drive and keep my documents, pictures, games, etc. on the D drive, since the difference in speed won't be noticeable. Thank you both for your help.

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nice advice guys
Sep 14, 2010 6:13AM PDT

just to add up, you can back up your personal documents externally to be safer just in case virus attacks your pc.