partition new HD or not?

[Ellen2]

I just got a new XP PC with a 320gb HD. In the past I've had separate partitions for the OS, data, & programs. I found that it made it backups & restores faster since I could be more selective with each. I'm now trying to decide whether to create partitions again. What do you think are the pros & cons of partitions with large HDs? Also, are there any partition programs you'd recommend? TIA.

[[GSV]Myocardial]

If you've only got the one drive I'd definately partition at least an OS/App section and a data section. Just makes backing up and reinstalling much easier.

[Ciber]

A small partition at the beginning of the drive for the pagefile on it's own is a good idea as well.

[5cupa]

A small partition at the beginning of the drive for the pagefile on it's own is a good idea as well.

why so?

[Ciber]

To make sure the pagefile is on the fastest part of the drive.

[matty-hodgson]

To make sure the pagefile is on the fastest part of the drive.

just get 4GB of RAM and get rid of the pagefile?
that's what i've done.

[Ciber]

just get 4GB of RAM and get rid of the pagefile?
that's what i've done.

I don't think that is the best thing to do!

[matty-hodgson]

I don't think that is the best thing to do!

why?

[Will404]

why?

I have 4gb, and a 8gig page file

2 gig memory and 2gig page used atm

[DataMatrix]

Using a pagefile and RAM is essential. Things which are regularly accessed stay into RAM while others idle in pagefile rarely accessed.

For example, Explorer will stay in RAM while background processes such as Task Scheduler will sit in pagefile.

[Zoom7000]

I find partitioning makes backing up a lot more useful. "Soft" backup at least. Of course, if the drive went bust, you'd lose everything, but for simple stuff like OS reinstalls and creating recovery images it is very useful. Essential for the latter!

[Ellen2]

I don't think that is the best thing to do!

Ciber,

I'm using XP & have 3 gb of RAM. Do you think the pagefile will even be accessed much, considering the amount of RAM & that it's an XP system?

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts about this.

[Ciber]

Yes, the pagefile will be constantly in use.

[solar975]

I wouldn't bother partitioning the drive.

If you create a separate (top level) directory structure for all your data - it will be easy to separate / backup. You could even buy a separate internal or USB2 drive and put your data on that.

One issue with partitioning drives is that you always underestimate how bloaty software will become - so you could easily reach the size limit on you O/S / programs drive.

[!TIMMY!]

One issue with partitioning drives is that you always underestimate how bloaty software will become - so you could easily reach the size limit on you O/S / programs drive.

Then you can use Partition Magic to resize the Partitions in Windows.

[Ciber]

Best thing is to have separate drives! The pagefile on a separate drive is definitely an improvement I've found.