Advice needed partitioning 60GB laptop with ADD

Hi although I have been using PCs for approx 20 years .. I have never been involved with partitioning drives ..I am hoping someone here can help me out..or maybe point me to instructions online...

I have recently bought a used Dell D600 laptop with the following spec

Processor Speed: 1.8 GHz
Processor Type: Intel Pentium M 1.8
Hard Drive Capacity: 60 GB
Memory (RAM): 1 GB
Primary Drive: DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo
Loaded with Winxp Pro SP2


The laptop currently has a C: drive and D: drive is a DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo I am wanting to create partitions to make the ongoing maintenance of the drives easier and faster ..

It has been suggested I partition the drives and take a drive image of the OS prior to installing other items is the wise thing to do so in the event of a "disaster" I can load that image and get going quickly..

I THINK am looking to do something like this .. BUT having read info for and against partitioning and am completely open to your suggestions ...

1. Create Seperate partition for OS

2. Create Seperate partition for Applications I load

3. Create Seperate partition Data Files - including my documents etc

4. Create Seperate partition for Photos , Multimedia etc) if this is wise

5. Ensure I have sufficient hard-drive space for , Windows 'virtual memory' needs

6. Firewall and AV - should these be on seperate partitions ?

As you can no doubt tell this is all new to me ... I do have Acronis True Image 10 for backups and am considering/about to buy Acronis Disk Director suite for managing the disks .. assuming I am not dissuaded from doing so.. by yourselves

I have read about using WinXps disk management utility to create partitions but had been advised using Disk Director was more "user friendly" and flexible ..

I would also appreciate advise in approx Sizes of the partitions ... I appreciate I can alter the sizes further down the line but DO wish to ensure they are within sensible guidleines to start off with ..

I hope all this makes sense and look forward to your replies

Many Thanks for your help
tamba1

 

tamba1,

You will get 100 different opinions. If it was my laptop I'd delete the Dell Recovery partition but leave the Dell Diagnostic partition. I'd resize the C: drive to 20 GB and then create an extended partition in the remaining space with a single logical volume. Move your My Documents folder etc to this data partition.

http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=49222

Install your programs to the C: drive. Too many partitions is a pain. I've done that.

For backup..

http://www.goodells.net/multiboot/notes.htm#13

 

here is my set up on two ThinkPads:

I have a C drive with OS & Programs... once I get it set up and config’d... I take an image of it with True Image Home 10 and I save this image in three places... on my network drive, my external drive, and in the secure partition that Acronis True Image Home 10 created for me. Also before creating my final Image of the C drive, I like to perform an off line disk defrag which defrags the system files. I mean when I image it... it literally is perfect and humming at its best. Note that I do not image my C drive until after I have loaded and config'd my programs because loading all of these are a long and tedious process... not to mention setting the different user prefs for each. I do not do frequent C drive images because I do not want to take the risk of actually imaging malware or spyware or a virus. Hence, one perfect copy.

The second partition I have is the E drive where only my data sits. I actually re-point the My Documents folder to the entire E: Drive. If you do not do this, then any file that sits in your My Documents folder actually resides within the Windows system files and will be lost on a re-imaging.

Advantages of my setup:
If I ever get a virus or HDD failure... I can re-image the existing C Drive or a new HDD in a matter of minutes. And my data is unaffected.


You don't really need a separate partition for diff file types... just use folders on your second data partition... this works equally as effective.

As for your firewall and AV… they must reside on the same partition as your OS which in this case is the C drive. They cannot reside away from the partition that contains the OS. Infact this holds true for most all programs.

As far as having enough space available on Drive C for the paging file that Virtual Memory may need, just allocate at least 4 Gig more than you will need for your OS and you'll be fine. I have a 60Gig drive on this laptop set up like this:

C Drive: 18 gb.... 14 used
E Drive: 31 gb.... 11 used
secure partition: 7 gb.. 6.5 used



The way I understand it... a good reason to partition is because your drive doesn't have to search the entire disk to operate the system files which could get fragmented to anywhere on the drive... by keeping a relatively small partition for your OS... the available space for sys files to get fragmented on is reduced tremendously thus improving the seek time for these files and the where on your drive’s reading arm.

Despite all the diff arguments for or against partitioning, for me the biggest advantage is the ability to rapidly and quickly re-image my C Drive without affecting all of my data should I encounter a severe virus, trojan, or HDD failure.

Good luck. I think you have made a good decision to partition... if you have ever reinstalled Windows then you know that it could take upwards of 14 hours to install all of the updates, your programs, and then config it to the way you want it.

 

Thanks guys for your advice


Two other concerns I have re partitioning my HD are:-

1. I have read about people partitioning their drives and losing the "hidden" partitions that the manufacturer put on the PC/lapto for Recovery purposes .. HOW do I avoid that from happening and what do I do with the hidden partition ..

2. Should I use Acronis Disk Director or Partition Magic?

Many Thanks
tamba1

 

tamba1,

I delete the recovery partition because I have my own images. But if you want to keep it on your Dell....


http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/index.htm

 

Partition Magic 8 will destroy your partition records. I know because it did mine. If you read about PM 8 on the NET and also at PC Mag, you will find that PM8 is very unstable when handling multiple commands.

This is why I purchased Acronis.

Trust me... PM will corrupt your drive and make your well intended efforts a disaster.

 

The first thing I do when I get a new computer is delete the factory "hidden" partition and then create a perfect image of my C drive to the "hidden" Acronis Secure Zone.

Dude... 86 that factory trash and create your own image. You'll be better off. But only delete the partition AFTER you have backed up and Image of your newly configured C Drive.

 

Milesy thanks so much for your help ..

I was going to go for Acronis - but then read sooo many posting of peeps having problems that I "chickened out"

Do you have any extra tips on using ATI 10 or Disk Director, I have ATI and need to buy Acronis DD

I ought to add I am very ill and have been for a few years now which has made me much less "confident" to fiddle with my PCS.. That being said I dont want any nighmares of losing everything or have a severe virus, Trojan etc ( Touche wood to date never have had ) either which is why I want to get everything ship shape.. I guess I am more paranoid now and read as much as possible before attempting things ..

This forum is excellent but equally sommetimes being too informed can be a bad ting too LOL .. ie when I read various posting on peoples problems partitioning drives etc I thought eeek not sure I want to go there ..

BUT the main reason for wanting to get this sorted is exactly what you quoted in your 1st post " Despite all the diff arguments for or against partitioning, for me the biggest advantage is the ability to rapidly and quickly re-image my C Drive without affecting all of my data should I encounter a severe virus, trojan, or HDD failure."

So once again MANY thanks for your advice its greatly appreciated

tamba1