What hard drive partition, and how to set it up.

[blockers]

Hi.

I have just set up a server with some old kit xp1800, shuttle mk20 (onboard gfx,lan,sound), 256mb SD-RAM.

I have got a 20gb hard drive with windows 2003 installed on it. I thought this was better than having everything (windows+storage) on the same hard drive, incase windows decides to break.

I have now just put in a 160gb seagate which will be used for back up files and storing video and photo's.

The back up files are very important as they are for my dad's business, so i guess put them on a new partition? and then all the media things on the other half of the hard drive. The file to be backed up are just under 40gb. So i thought that a partition of 50gb for them would be ok? (does that sound ok?)

And then have the rest of the hard drive 110gb for media.

Also what is the best way to create this partition? if i do it through windows will it be a dodgy, so should i just stick to doing it through DOS?

Thanks
Will.

[Devilman]

I always use Partition Magic (both PowerQuest and Norton do one iirc), which can shuffle the existing data around so you dont lose anything, while it makes the new partition for ya.

Of course, if you have no existing data on the drive, there are probly easier and simplier ways of partitioning the drive off, I just cant think of them lol.

[arthurleung]

Put in both hdds into your shuttle (if thermally possible), create a RAID1 (Mirroring) volume using the 20G and 160G using windows disk management. Then create another partition on the 160G (remaining 140G to a single partition or may be 70+70).

Put all your important data on the 20G RAID1 and backup to DVD once a month or so. Or if you are lazy just copy the backups to the 160G HDDs.

In case you deleted the wrong thing on the 20G RAID, you can restore backup from the 2nd partition of 160G. In case either the 20G or 160G hdd failed, the newest files on the 20GB RAIDed partition are safe even though the backup is lost. Very unlikely you will have both the newest files and backup broken.

Will look like this:

• 20GB
  
  • 20GB RAID1 | Windows / Important files
• 160GB
  
  • 20GB RAID1 | Windows / Important files
  • 70GB Basic | Backup
  • 70GB Basic | Other Files

[prehensile]

Free Nelson Mandela! oops wrong thread

[blockers]

THanks for the replies guys. I just did it in windows, it seemed less hassle. i have a 20gb windows install, 50gb back up, and 100gb for any other stuff.


ty
Will.