[yipee2]

Hi,

I need to reformat the 60Gb drive on my laptop and I would like to partition my hard drive to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. I wanted to put XP Home in one partition and my docs on another.

Couple of questions:

1. Would 10Gb for the 1st / XP partition and the remainder for the second partition seem reasonable?

2. I will put the MyDocuments folder on the 2nd partition - do I try and install all programs on the 2nd partition, right? The 'Documents and Settings' folder sits on the 2nd partition also, right? I think I want to keep Windows away from everything, to keep it 'pure'.

3. Will any programs try to deposit temporary files application data in the 1st partition - and do I then shift this data over to the 2nd partition?

OK, that's more than 2 questions ;(


Thanks for any help

[johnebadbak]

i would recommend 20gig for "C" the balance for the second partition.
you can use the xp install disk to repartition clear the existing partition then create a new partition C drive of 20gig. leave the balance to partition when windows is up and running.(windows disk manager) in "computer management." When you have the second partition you can right click on "My documents" and click properties change the path for my documents to the new partition shouldbe "D" so D:\ click "move" after the partition is created its necessary to format the partition so you can use it.
A third party partition tool is "partition magic" should you want to partition and format the drive before you do the install. Acronis disk manager is another excellent hard disk tool. get hold of a tool called "emptemp" use google to find it excellent one to remove all temp files daily.
john.

[johnebadbak]

windows will always install programs to "program files" Even if you don't all files needed to operate the program will install on "C" so install on "C" store all data you create and want to keep on the second partition.
after the install of xp home defrag the drive this will tidy up fragmented files.
john.

[redoak]

When many programs/utilities are installed, Registry entries are made. You really can't get around this, and it makes putting them on a second partition of no real value.

I have followed the advice of a Moderator to include program and utilities on "C" and put data files on a second partition.

My 80 GB drive is partitioned with 30 GB for "C," and it is only one-third full, with some 50 programs/utilities installed. "XP" wants "breathing room," so you want to allow some 12 GB for it alone. That gives me 18 GB for programs/utilities.

Partition Magic does not enjoy the place it once had. Go to this link for other suggestions:
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6138_102...210974&start=0

{redoak}