Increase system efficiency

1: Yes

2: Yes

3: Doesn't matter (from an efficiency standpoint)

4: From an efficiency standpoint, it makes no difference. From a backup standpoint, it might not be a bad idea. Just don't let things linger too long without backing them up to DVD (and reburn the DVDs every 2-3 years, since they tend to go bad after a time, also NEVER use those CD label kits that have an adhesive. It seeps through and causes decay on the data side of the disc)

Thanks for the answers. You answered yes to the question about deleting the Windows OS off the 250 gig drive. How exactly do I do that? I can't go to Uninstall programs, because that would take off the OS install I am currently using. Do I pretty much just get the files I need off that drive and reformat it? Or can I just get the OS off?

And you said from an efficiency standpoint it doesn't matter where I install new programs. But where does it make most sense? I am thinking the 10 gig partition is good, but I am no pro.

Thanks again.

Just wipe out the Windows or maybe WinNT folder on the other drive. That should take care of Windows... Then you can also wipe out Program Files and Documents and Settings once you're sure you've moved all your photos and what not somewhere else temporarily.

As for the program installation... I'd say the 10GB partition. That's what we tend to do at work. There's a 10GB partition for the OS and apps, and then everything else goes on the partition made of whatever's left. We only back up the "other" partition as well.

Hi,
I am interested know a bit more about what you think - To summarise what I believe you have said:-
(C)10Gb - systems and programs
(D)70Gb - "other" stuff
(E)250Gb - music

1/ Can you define with examples what constitutes the "other stuff".
2/And where would you put things like the pagefile,
3/Or Docs & settings folder
4/ Other special folder like startup, install path, My doc, ....
5/or more specifically all data files and temp files.?
10Gb doesn't seem much if all of the above is to be store.
Can you also read my posting on the other thread and comment on what I have said.
You comments would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Peter

I am also curious on these things AussiePete mentioned. And like I said, if I need to make a larger partition, I can do it now because my drive is pretty barren. I don't know if I'll understand, but any explaination someone has is good.

1/yes - but dont be in a rush as you may need some data files.
2/Most program unless they are dos programs or standalone program have to be install - some you maybe able to just copy the directories across and they may run and register themselves - however this maybe only a few programs - if I were you I would do everything correctly by starting fresh.
3/ leave the 10Gb just for the system and install all other program on the 70Gb - you should also consider which disk(s) is going to have the swop file (virtual memory) and restore point files. I would have made C drive about 20Gb and have all that on this drive (less to defrag) with non systems programs on the remaining 60Gb. All your music can go on the 250Gb drive
There is a problem though because most program as default want to install in "C:\programs files" - you can change this to default to D:\programs.. but in windows 9X & Me even windows components would still create a directory called "c:\Progra~1" - not sure if windows XP has fixed that idiosyncrasy! In short you will need to specify the install directory every time you install a new program and even then some dont even ask.
Also read this article
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-GB;842626you should have read this article

Peter

In regards to AussiePete's response, is it too late to do any of this? Can I increase the partition or make another 10 gig partition to put all the system files on? Not to sound like a complete fool, but this is all really new to me and I want to make the best system I can. If you suggest reformatting and starting over, now is the best time as I only have WinXp and a few free programs on the 80 gig drive.

And how do I choose where the SWOP file goes? Again, not something I am familiar with.

That article was not found on the Microsoft site, by the way. Any other reading material is eagerly accepted.

Any tips on how to get the most out of this are welcome. I would like to learn how to do this right.

I have asked cursorcowboy a few questions and will see what he says - The basic idea as very briefly outline in that M$ document is to separate fixed from variable files - ie programs on one partition, and data files on the other partition - my big question to Microsoft is how!!! as the windows operating system doesn't allow easy separation - from where I sit all you can do is tinker at the edges - I tried on a system running windows ME to separate most "special folders" such as My Doc, Temp, startup, and IE Temp and so on - in the most part it worked but ended up with some programs still wanting to store in the original locations on C drive even though I deleted ever reference to C drive in the registry.
Anyway see what cursor has to say - he's very knowledgeable with MS windows.
Peter

Excuse me for butting in, especially as I have only ever partitioned a drive once before on an older machine, and even then had a technician holding my trembling hand whilst I did it,

I agree with Aussie Pete that for the C drive, at least 20GB should be used. I know by standards of only a few years ago 20GB is still massive, but it is getting smaller figuratively speaking, and Windows, Windows/System, etc is getting larger.

I wouldn't bother trying to move any of the Windows default folders, eg My Documents, temp, Program Files, etc to any other partition. I would just let Windows install those basic files where it wants to. Also, I would keep the swap file, (or page file, whatever you want to call it), on the C drive. I understand the swap file should be at least the size of your RAM, or double the size, so on machines that have 1GB or even 2GB of RAM now, you need a swap file at least the same.

Any programs that you "know" you are going to keep, and won't change significantly over the years, eg IE, OE, Microsoft Office, or other word processor, database or spreadsheet programs should stay on the C drive, but anything else can go on another partition, or another drive if it is physically a different drive. The speed of access of hard drives nowadays is so great that you would not see any difference in loading these programs. Keep the C drive as free as possible.

Data such as documents, music, pictures, videos, etc, can be stored on the largest partition, but always backed up to CD as soon as possible.

Just my 2 pennyworth,

Mark

I wish I would have used my head and asked this before I went and set everything up. But on the good side, I am only going to lose the free programs (AVG Free, Spybot, Spy Sweeper, Firefox, etc.) if I reformat right now and repartition to 20 gig/ 60 gig, and then reinstall Windows XP.
That being said, should I just go ahead and do so? Better now than later. Doing this is free, and Partition Magic is not, so I'll save the coin and do it my way.

And this will not affect the 250 gig drive, correct? Should I unhook it at first and set up the 80 gig and then plug it in? Just making sure, guys.

Hi DC,

I can't answer your question about disconnecting the 250 GB drive as I'm not a technical person, although I don't see why it should be harmed in anyway if you leave it where it is. Just be sure to take your time and partition the correct drive.

20GB/60GB sounds good. Although Gail on Haris' thread has stated what I didn't myself but perhaps should have. She says she hasn't partitioned her drive at all and has no problems. And in fact, on this new(ish) computer I now have I haven't partitioned either. I have a 220 GB drive, and just use separate folders to contain my [Games], [Music], [Videos], [Utilties, (like AVG, Spybot, etc)], and so on.

Good luck,

Mark

With that is if I am to have to reinstall Windows for whatever reason, it'll wipe everything out, whereas having it and other system files on a separate partition will prevent this from happening, or so I like to believe. Please tell me if I'm wrong. And if no partition is a good idea, then away I go. I just want to do it right this time instead of a year down the road.

What Mark says about having permanent type of programs (like MS office ect...)on the C drive make sense - all other smaller transient programs can go on drive D. One thing I would do directly after installing windows is make a pagefile as large as you will need and possible even fix the size ie set the minimum to say 1.5Gb - this way the pagefile will be at the beginning of the disk and wont get fragmented.
As to making the primary partition (ie 10gb) larger I think XP lets you increase the primary partition without loss of data - however the 70Gb partition will be reformatted.
One thing I must point out - when you reinstall windows your data files are not lost, only systems and program files - files in non system folder are not touch - but you must understand that even though some of your other programs folders wont be touched you still have to install these program again so that they get registered with the system. To be on the safe side I just copy everything from windows, program files, and Doc and settings folders to another folder or simply backup everything.
Peter

Thanks Pete. Actually, thank everyone. I think my concerns have been alleviated. I have nothing on the 70 gig partition, so I may as well just delete the partition and have the complete 80 gigs for the OS, programs, updates, etc. All my ''toys'' will go on the 250 gig drive. Plenty of room for video editing, music, um...adult material, whatever.

Thanks ladies and germs. I think I'll just make it into one drive for programs and apps and a larger, separate one for files.

LOL

Pete's right, and you're welcome DC.

Good luck.

Mark

So then, assuming I didn't lose everyone with the "ladies and germs" joke, to delete said partition, I go to Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management, Storage, Disk Management, and then right-click on the 70 gig portion (NOT system part) and choose Delete Partition. Click Yes because there is no data on it anyways, and voila...back to a whole 80 gigs. Correct? I think this is right, but I want to be 100% before I jump in over my head.

Dave

but, as far as i know, it doesn't work that way...

you would be better off buying Partition Magic $19.99

After posting within and reading the thread ''Now then I find out why my C drive become Low Disk Space.?'', it seems that partitioning the 80 gig drive again isn't even needed. Could I just delete the partition, making the drive whole and use the entire drive for Windows and programs, putting my files for music, video, etc. on the 250 gig drive? It would simplify a lot.

The good news is:-
I have found the M$ article(s) that explain how to extend a partition without data loss -
The the bad news is:-
You cannot extend the current system or boot partitions only data partitions. Therefore you are stuffed - Serves you right for calling us germs!!!!lololol

To read these article goto start/help&support then type in the search box:-
To extend a basic volume

For reference sake these are the full articles
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-gb;325590
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-gb;300415
There are some programs that will do it like partition magic but rather than spending money just copy stuff to your old drive and reformat/install using the XP CD.
Peter

So thinking that the problem was solved, I have gone and downloaded the free utilities I wanted and am setting it all up. I can either keep it with the 10/70 gig partitions, buy Partition Magic for $20, or just reinstall. I'd rather not spend the money, but I'd also rather not reinstall. It is out of the question to just leave it and deal? I have no idea what I should do.

and do as yewankers suggested ie:-
c - 10Gb system and just a few main and frequently used programs like msoffice
d - all other stuff
e - music
It really is a better way in my opinion - means you working in a smaller area of your hard disk most of the time = faster
Simple!
Peter

After all this discussion about options, perhaps the best option is to leave it as it is, and avoid all the hassle.

10GB isn't bad as a system disk with your main programs. It is much more than the HD's we used to have just 2 or 3 years ago, and you still have the 70GB partition and 240GB disk for all your extra stuff.

That's quite a good system really.

I suppose the moral of this is, PC's are so flexible that whatever you choose will normally work.

Mark

before I make a change. I have read to keep it and I have read to change it. What I decided to do was scrap it and reformat into one 80 gig partition and reinstall Windows. The main deciding factor was that I picked up 1000s of trojan horses, viruses, etc. when I first installed that drive and went online without first getting AVG or a firewall set up. There were lingering bugs, so I just cleared it out and started over. Tonight when I get home I'm going to start setting up the folders I'm going to use (Media, Utilities, Downloads, Programs, etc.) and all the sub-directories and then start installing everything.

Something that's strange, and may be fixed when I install all the drivers and programs, is that I have C drive at 80 gigs, D drive at 120 (the one I used to have as the boot drive), and I at 120, but I get some message sayinh I is not active or something like that and I can't access it. It's blank so I can do whatever to it, so how does this get fixed? I used to be able to click it and see the contents (nothing).

Thanks everyone.

is the primary partition of a physical disk which has a mast boot record. Goto help and support and type "active partitions" in the search box to read all about it.
If I were you I would also put windows on the 120Gb disk and set up dual boot system - that way you have a ready made emergency disk. I do similar but I have Win98 on my other hard disk - this gives me extra flexibility in emergency situation with win98 being a DOS based system.
Regards,
Peter

How do I install Windows again on the 250 gig drive? It is already installed on there (it used to be my only drive) but there is a corrupt file (hence the new drive). Do I change boot sequence to boot the 250, and if so, how? If not, please explain how to get XP installed on the other drive.

Thanks.

From all your post. Seems all this started because of a stutter!!!!!anyway, u r doing well and should be please with yourself.
Now, the second hard disk - I've only realised its 250GB with TWO partitions (was wondering why you started talking about 250Gb in the beginning then in the last few post started talking 120Gb) - what I dont think you said that you have 2 partitions on your old drive.
Anyway you need to make up your mind - but let me say this, you were having systems problems that were never really solved, so I would:-
1/copy just your data to your new drive for safe keeping
2/reformat as Bill has said
3/ Install another copy of XP on the old drive using your installation disks it will do everything but you need to make sure that;
a/ it does not reinstalling windows on your new drive,
b/ and that it sets up a dual boot system booting from your new drive first.

Alternatively, you could:
4/Take out the new disk and put the old one in its place - run the installation disk reformat and put a stand alone XP system.
5/Put thing back the way they were and we can then change the boot.ini files so you have a dual boot system as well as two stand alone systems.(hopefully!)
simple!
Peter

You know what, I'm glad you brought that up. I was indeed having stuttering problems (well, not me personally; my computer) and I am thinking I may have figured out why. I went through every step I could, including switching the drive cables, doing the DMA switch, putting the PCI cards in new slots, ran all antivirus and spyware apps, etc. All to no avail. And it started doing it on the new install on the 80 gig. So I started paying close attention and noticed it was happening when my Netgear WG311 wireless card would disconnect or would change the level of the reception. So I uninstalled it and so far (fingers are crossed), the system has been good. I Googled that card and "stutter" and found it to be pretty common. So I don't think it was a hard drive or system issue. I am going to reinstall Windows on the 250 gig and run a dual-boot system. Thanks to all who have helped me out.

TGIF.

another two little projects for you
slip stream sp2 and Barts PE bootCD (its like safe mode on a CD and more.....)

BartPE
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/index.php

slip stream sp2 (only if original XP CD has SP1)
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

Peter

Reading this as you orginal 250gig drive Partitioned.

If so then you have no data to lose.....

Go to Adminstrative Tools in the Control Panel --> Computer Managment --> Disk Managment

Listed will be your drives, Disk 0 should be your 80gig drive set active. Disk 1 your 250gig drive showing two sections one or both listed as Unallocated.

Right click on Unallocated section --> left click New Partition. Follow prompts to create an extended Partition, then logical drive, quick format in NTFS using default cluster sizes.

Bill
.