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General discussion

Partitions

Jun 5, 2004 7:47PM PDT

You guys been talkin' about partitions. When I go into my computer information (Windows XP) it reads:
Local Disk (Non-Partitioned)
Capacity: 111.79 Used: 6.67 Free: 105.11
I know what that means. But these other ones:
Local Disk (Non-Partitioned)
Generic USB Storage-CFC USB Device
Generic USB Storage-MMC USB Device
Generic USB Storage-MCS USB Device
Generic USB Storage-SMC USB Device
What does all that mean? And when you talk about partitions, do you set up a different partition on the same hard drive and then if something goes wrong you just switch partitions? Please don't get too technical. Joe six-pack.

Discussion is locked

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Re:Partitions
Jun 6, 2004 3:44AM PDT

Looks like you have a "Media Reader" installed.

Media Reader? in other words, a memory card reader. That's where you might have a slot somewhere to insert a type of card that typically would be found in most digital cameras.

The media reader might either be mounted on the front panel of your computer, or plugged into one of your USB ports.

Even if you don't have a digital camera, it is still very handly to have a Media reader, since those cards can then be used for convenient storage and transfering of files to other people. Using these memory cards is exactly like using those "USB Flash Drives" that are becoming popular. They have gobs more space than a floppy, and a memory card is LOTS FASTER!

The USB Flash Drives need a USB port, which is becoming standard on today's computers. And not only do you probably have that as well, but you have the ability to use just about any camera-memory card also, for the same storage purpose.

Pretty cool, right?

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Re:Re:Partitions
Jun 7, 2004 5:01AM PDT

Ya, that is purty cool Chuck. Heck I got 4 of those slots in the front of my new computer. Do you mean that I can transfer data on the same card (128 MB) that I have in my digital camera?

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Re: Media Reader slots
Jun 7, 2004 4:22PM PDT

I would expect so. But the real proof of that would be for you to actually try it.

In my own case, I have not only been able transfer data (such as Word documents, and even programs) on my XD memory card, but without affecting the picture files I still had on the XD memory. I was still able to put the XD back into the camera and still use it, without affecting the files I now had there.

My camera puts its pictures in a special folder on the card, and the files I put in my transferring tests I just had at the "root" (top-level) directory of the card. I could have placed the file into a folder of my own making, as well.

With your multiple slots, you will probably find that you can also have multiple memory cards, using the different memory card slots, all at the same time. So you will be able to transfer files from one type of card to another at the same time.

So, how can you transfer files from one type of memory card to another cards of the same type? Just copy from one card into a temporary folder on your PC, then remove one card and put in the other. Then copy the files from that temporary folder out to the 2nd card.

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And, jtx, you're now free from the tyranny of the floppy drive!
Jun 8, 2004 11:16PM PDT

Put your bootdisk on a memory card, for example...

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NT -- Are you saying to ''boot with it''?
Jun 9, 2004 12:44AM PDT

.

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Are you saying to ''boot with it''?
Jun 9, 2004 3:41AM PDT

It is possible IF! the BIOS provides for you to select a device like your external memory card. Many of the newer BIOS' allow you to do that.

Of course, you will need to set the list of bootable devices so that the memory card comes before some other device that might have a bootable file on it.

I have heard that some people use Zip drives and memory cards to boot up either emergency OS'es or alternate OS'es. But I have never tried it.

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''I agree if possible'' -- what percentage??
Jun 10, 2004 1:29AM PDT

.

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Re:''I agree if possible'' -- what percentage??
Jun 10, 2004 4:04AM PDT

The operative is the "IF"

I would think that IF the BIOS allows you to assign an external boot device, like the external memory, then the percentage is 100%.

I would think that IF the BIOS does not allow you to assign an external boot device, like the external memory, then the percentage is 0%.

I am not in the BIOS creation business, nor do I have a wide enough personal experience, to assign any approximation of percentage of total BIOS' now, or being created now, that either permit, or not, the assignment of external boot devices.

It is only a perception that I have after seeing many new (very low percentage in the grand scheme) BIOS setups that now provide for external boot devices.

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Re:Partitions
Jun 6, 2004 4:24AM PDT

Jtx,

In addition to ChuckT's good information, it sounds like you've got the basics about partitions. The discussion was about creating multiple partitions on the same hard drive (this creates separate drive letters for each partition on the single drive) which should allow the restoration of a corrupted partition easily without losing the stored data on the other partitions. Also mentioned was the installation of multiple drives on a single computer which show up as different drive letters but aren't really "partitions" on a single drive.

Assuming a single hard drive is used, there are multiple variations of this theme such as multiple operating systems on different partitions (such as dual boot)...or only one operating system installed on the drive but separate partitions for different purposes (one for storing pictures, one contains the operating system files, one contains installed programs), and on and on.

As discussed earlier, and put in simple terms here, multiple partitions on a single drive may be beneficial for some users where damage/corruption of files occurs and the drive is not damaged. Restoration of a single partition may be easier than restoring the entire computer. Then again, if the entire drive dies, which I've had happen a number of times, then the multiple partitions may make it harder to restore.

It's a personal preference, as we discussed earlier, and only you can decide which is best for your situation.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Re:Re:Partitions
Jun 7, 2004 6:55AM PDT

Thanks Grif for explaining it to me in terms I can understand.