Help needed on xp install (partitions)--QUICK Qs!!

[wannabgeek]

Hi just finishing my 1st build and ive took advice to install windows on seperate partition 200gb drive = 12gb windows C; 180gb progs F: (have a 2nd HD for backups Docs etc) So can you please explain if windows goes on the small partion C: Do i put the progs to F: when i install them? And do i format the F: drive with NFTS? Thank you and any other advice will be Gladly accepted

[Workaholic]

Hi just finishing my 1st build and ive took advice to install windows on seperate partition 200gb drive = 12gb windows C; 180gb progs F: (have a 2nd HD for backups Docs etc) So can you please explain if windows goes on the small partion C: Do i put the progs to F: when i install them? And do i format the F: drive with NFTS? Thank you and any other advice will be Gladly accepted

Windows will go on the C drive, and with your programs make sure you go through the custom setup option when installing as most software defaults to c.

Your F drive can be formatted with either FAT32 or NTFS, NTFS support files over 4GB in size but cannot be viewed in earlier windows. (e.g. windows 98 etc!)


Hope that helps

[wannabgeek]

Thanks very much for that! C: drive also has folders such as; Docs & Settings,Progs. which are obviously still empty, do i just move them manually to the F: or leave them alone (empty)? Last Qs. I formated (NFTS) F: via my computer (rght click/format) Does this matter? Or should i have done it via booting the XP disc or via Disc managment? Many thanks again

[gman1981]

That is fine to format your F drive from My Computer. With the My Documents folder you may want to move the location of it to F: by right clicking on it and going to properties. There is a Move option on the Properties window. Good Luck

[wannabgeek]

Thanks Gman!
edit: Still confused a bit! Do i now move the docs & settings and the programs folder from C: partition to the F: partition, or should i leave them be and just redirect the new progs to F: and if so will it make a 'programs' folder by itself or do i need to make a new 'programs' folder to put them in? Sorry for the confusion!

[ash_rm]

Thanks Gman!
edit: Still confused a bit! Do i now move the docs & settings and the programs folder from C: partition to the F: partition, or should i leave them be and just redirect the new progs to F: and if so will it make a 'programs' folder by itself or do i need to make a new 'programs' folder to put them in? Sorry for the confusion!

No you won't be able to move them easily. I think this method may work from this link - http://sean-janus.optionpc.com/move-dirs.html

The easiest as you say is to manually create a "program files" folder on you F drive and choose custom install every time you install something.

You can also manually set your "My Documents" folder to be on the root of your F drive by right clicking on the My Documents Icon in the Start Menu.

[s_kinton]

Is there any reason why you decided to create a tiny partition just for windows? What are the performance benefits?

I cant imagine theres any thing more than a negligable benefit myself, which compared to the hassle doesnt make it a worthwhile exercise imo

[Splash]

12Gb is NOT a tiny partition! Especially when you take into account that all his profiles and programs are to be installed to the larger partition I see no problem with 12Gb at all. Granted, it's a very small partition in comparison to the total size available on the drive but why would he need any more?

[ash_rm]

Is there any reason why you decided to create a tiny partition just for windows? What are the performance benefits?

I cant imagine theres any thing more than a negligable benefit myself, which compared to the hassle doesnt make it a worthwhile exercise imo

I've only got a 10GB partition for windows which always remains at about 8GB free since it just has Windows on it. I've got Documents & Settings and Program files on my bigger partition. Swap file is on a different HDD.

The only things that are going to increase on the windows drive is when you install drivers and other new system files from updates etc. At most about another 500mb.

[wannabgeek]

Is there any reason why you decided to create a tiny partition just for windows? What are the performance benefits?

I cant imagine theres any thing more than a negligable benefit myself, which compared to the hassle doesnt make it a worthwhile exercise imo

Hi Guys thanks again for the Input!
Re: Ash: Yes thanks for the link but iove chose to do i manually by making a new 'progs' folder. Ive also rediected the 'my docs' via the Root! Cheers
Re Kinton: I have done it for Ease when it comes to reinstallining windows again,so i will not need to reinstall all my programs! I have never used this route before but decided to give it a go!

[Splash]

Hi Guys thanks again for the Input!
Re Kinton: I have done it for Ease when it comes to reinstallining windows again,so i will not need to reinstall all my programs! I have never used this route before but decided to give it a go!

Just as a pointer you probably will have to reinstall your apps - registry entries etc would be missing otherwise. It's a good idea to seperate your data from your OS though.

[mistrip]

I've also done a similar thing and tend to keep my programs and windows on a 20Gb partition and games & data on the rest. And it is much easier to do clean reinstalls this way.