Dilemma!

[Stringent]

OK I got my new 160GB SATA hard drive sitting here in its nice packing. I currently have in my SB75G2 shuttle a 250W PSU, Plextor DVD, Geforce 6800GT and an 80GB SATA Hard drive.

The 80GB is partitioned into approx:
1 x 20GB (C)
1 x 40GB (D - Games)
1 x 20GB (E - Stuff, ie pics, music etc)

So do I swap them over and ghost the 80GB onto the 160GB making partitions relative, do I hook up the 160 and just format it and dump all new stuff on there and leave the 80GB ... Which would be the best way to utilize the space and drives?

I'm in an indecisive mood of late. Now what shall I have, Lamb chops or sirloin steak and chips for dinner ...

[Dougal]

I'd say format it and just dump across.

Partitions are basicly big folders, no improvements other then reference and security. And you loose a bit of space anyway.

[iranu]

I have to disagree. Partitioning the C drive purely for the OS is very useful. If it gets corrupted and you have to reinstall then you don't lose other data. I always keep data separate from the operating system. I also put the page file on a seperate physical drive. Partioning should reduce fragmentation of your C drive too. I like to keep things neat and tidy.

I run

320gig Raid 0 with C - OS, D - Apps, E - Storage, G - Games
with 80 gig backup drive I

[bobo007]

Well a couple things come to mind here.
I'd guess that the new drive is a bit faster, so it would be the best for your OS (C
Also you could just copy the C: partition to the new drive and then hide it on 80 and you have a back up.
So I'd leave the 80GB in, add the 160GB.

[genarg]

The best thing to do is to make ur SO use the fastest hd u have. (more rpm or cache). Wxp runs fine with 10 gbs. If u are going to install huge apps on it like photshop, 3dmax, maybe u should create another 20 - 30 gbs partition to host apps. Make another one for games, or even make 1 partition of 3 - 4 gbs for each game.

I will recomend this:

C:\ Have SO and needed Apps.
D:\ Have big apps.
E:\ Have games.
F:\ Downloads
Z:\ Backups

[alberto]

i think

OS 20gb
Audio/video 100gb
Backup 40Gb ( little is better..when space end...is time to write cd/dvd or delete old stuff )

bye

[magicrichard]

I think, if you are organised to split up your harddrive into this many partitions, you are organised enough to just have everything in folders. Maybe with just one partition to place stuff you will want to keep if you ever have to reformat.

[Taz]

Another use for partitioning (Windows XP) is to move the 'My Documents' folder onto the D: drive. This is extremely useful as all of your documents, videos, downloads, pictures etc., will automatically be stored on your D: (or other) drive.

If you're unsure how to do this then here are the simple steps:

1) In Windows Explorer, right-click on the 'My Documents' folder and select 'Properties'.
2) In the 'Target' text box enter the drive you want the 'My Documents' folder moved to (eg. D:\).

That's it. If you already have stuff in 'My Documents' then it will get transferred to D:\. This avoids having to backup the My Documents folder every time you want to re-install the OS. Just remember to set the property again after an OS re-install.

[Spud1]

partitioning in this way is pointless...all it does is waste space. you have next to no protection against corruption - 9 times out of 10 the whole drive will become corrupted not just one partition.

Folders are there for a reason, why not just use them? Have a windows folder (obviously) an MP3 folder, a Data folder, an apps folder etc etc.

Why people feel the need to waste hundreds of megabytes and time partitioning is beyond me.. especially when you run the risk of losing everything when you re-partition anyway