by: Marc Bennett May 4, 2006 10:43 AM PDT
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How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive?
by Marc Bennett 
- 5/4/06 10:43 AM
How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? What are your reasons for having these partitions?
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
More than five (why so many?)
What are you talking about?
How Many Partitions - Four
by nscave - 5/5/06 3:47 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
I use multiple partitions on all my drives to separate data and to make backups easier. For example one partition is the operating system with little else on there except for the email progam, firewall and other things that are essential.
The next partition has all my programs on it and nothing more. Another partition I use as a working partition. It has videos, pictures and this is where I would put iso files if I were preparing a burn. The final partition on that drive is where I download files to, or put files that friends send to me.
This way my operating system is relatively safe so long as I take the usual precautions. Unless I install something new there is little need to backup that partition and the one with the programs very often. Keeping downloads separate allows me to check for less than ideal files, virus, trojans, etc.
Even in cases where drives have failed, and they do, I have been able to recover data from most partitions without losing much. I have four drives on my main machine, also with multi partitions. The others for example contain my web site material.
Depending on what your purposes are, I highly recommend at least several partitions on a large drive.
(`._.nsv._.)
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4 Partitions, 3 Volumes currently in use
by gcgoodwin - 5/5/06 4:14 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
I currently have the following set-up on my laptop's only internal drive...
Internal HD
C: 12 GB - Operating System (Win XP Pro)
E: 3 GB - Paging File
F: 35 GB - Data
: 6 GB - Unallocated
The below are not partitions of the internal HD, but are included for detail.
Internal DVD Burner
D:
External HD
G: 300 GB - Misc Data, Older PC Drive Images, Archived ISOs
H: 35 GB - IOMega REV Drive - Uses 35 GB removable disks
I - Z: Temporary "Virtual Drives" for archived ISOs
C:
I tried setting the C: volume to 6 GB when I first started setting up different partitions... it worked fine, but I wanted to keep the OS and regular program files on the same partition and some of my larger regular programs take 3 to 5 GB to install. I settled for 12 GB which will compress to 4 GB (to take an image of volume C) using the Rev Drive and IOMega's imaging software.
E:
I used the default paging file size of 150% RAM; I have 2 GB of RAM so I set the paging file to 3 GB (I'll never need that much for the paging file, but I have the extra space so I figured I'd use it).
F:
A little over 40 GB was left after the above changes so I set 35 GB for data storage. The "Data" volume contains "My Documents" which includes the standard Pics, Audio and Video along with misc docs/files and the setup files/ISOs needed to reinstall or use all current programs. If it's something important, a copy goes to an external drive, a REV Disk and/or a DVD archive.
Unallocated:
I kept 5.85 GB free so I can set up a customized restoration partition... I started putting something together but never found the time to sit down and figure out the details to make this work. I have my Windows Installation slip-streamed so I don't spend an hour downloading hotfixes when I need to reinstall the OS, but I'll probably end up using something like Acronis True Image 8.0 to create the customized restoration partition.
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Four, Why? To separate the Porn of course!
by cybermonkey - 5/5/06 4:57 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
I have 4 partitions. One Primary (OS), Music (itunes), Multimedia (videos), and a shared partition which I hope to make internet accessible. My guests can only see the OS and Shared partitions. I like to keep my porn private.
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Partitions
by hrmays - 5/5/06 5:00 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
2 same reason as AMAR. Im lazy. Not his phrase lol.
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SIx currently
by Zouch - 5/5/06 5:37 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
Primary 1 my personal "production" system
Primary 2 my personal test system, for testing patches, new software, etc.
Primary 3 "Vanilla" system for use with clients (I'm an independent consultant)
Logical 1 my private data
Logical 2 my public data shared with clients
logical 3 private client data
It's a laptop, so there is only one drive. On my desktop, these are split across two physical drives, one for me, one for clients.
Z.
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5 partitions and good reason
by ReSpaces - 5/5/06 6:14 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
part.1 has xpsp2 and software directly related to hardware. This keeps the partition under 3gbites that is backed up to a bootable DVD.
part.2 has programs like Office suite, photoshop, Money, TurboTax; all of these add a minimal amount to your OS part. and personal data backed up as needed.
part.3 has antivirus/spyware, instant messaging, email, fileshareing etc.
part.4 music,music videos in various formats
part.5 pictures, movies, home videos
you will notice a big advantage to partitions when you defrag assome of the movie and music files are large are difficult tomove around when defraging.
Also, when restoring your oS from your bootable DVD, your personal info is still in place for the programs on the other partitions and will only need updating from the last backup.
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Three
by Bob-san - 5/5/06 6:33 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
I have a total of three partitons on my hard drive. I have a total of 2 hard drives (80gb and 8gb). The 80gb has 1 partition for WinXP, and the 8gb has 2 partitions for Ubuntu Linux (Swap and Storage). So three.
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Partitions
by morninglory - 5/5/06 7:47 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
Duh, what's a partition?
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partitions
by mohammad anany - 5/5/06 8:01 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
i had only two partitions c and d drive .but some days back i used partition magic and now i have 4 partitions in the drive.
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2 partitions:- 1st for OS+APPs 2nd for data - can format C
by VAPCMD - 5/5/06 8:22 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
if necessary without risking loss of data.
Also have 2nd HDD with images of C: and D: for quick image backups and restores, as necessary.
VAPCMD
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4 HDD Partitions
by couchboy24 - 5/6/06 1:09 AM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
Presently I have 4 partitions, 1 for OS, 1 for Program Files, 1 for Documents (Data), and 1 for Multimedia. I prefer it this way for effective housekeeping on my HDD.
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Two Partitions are good
by r21339 - 5/6/06 2:14 AM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
I always use two partitions for Windows machines and three only for a specical situtation.
With two partitions, you can backup your "Documents and Settings" to the second partition. If Windows gets really corrupted, you can replace it without danager to your documents and settings. Also with two partitions, you can install a second Windows installation and have a dual boot menu. This is a good idea if your kids continue to get a lot of spyware. You can keep your side clean.
I use three partitions only when considering Linux on one of the partitions.
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Partitions on Hard Drive
by simongary - 5/6/06 2:17 AM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
I have two, the second and larger Partition I keep for 'My Documents' and any other data that will not be effected if my 'C' Partition has a problem. I also have an external HD as further backup.
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Harddrive partitions
by ENANSEE - 5/6/06 4:41 AM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
Just wanted to say this came forum came at a good time I found out my hard drive was partioned by accident because my computer had slowed to a crawl I did a disc defrag and it showed this one small partition full. All the answers were very helpful. As I just purchased a new computer and my old one was 10 years old I have a lot of catching up to do.
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Number of Partitions
by erabino - 5/6/06 7:01 AM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
I currently use 3 partitions and have for years. 1- The System. 2- Data files for programs that allow you to store data in its own location. 3- The rest of the drive for everything left over. Also have a second identical ATA drive that the first one is backed up to weekly.
James
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Four (4)
by Anonymous - 5/6/06 8:12 AM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
C:\ Windows system & programs
D:\ Archives & Games
E:\ Movies
F:\ Music
This is on a 160GB hard drive. Each partition is 40GB.
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Two partition minimum is best
by Salva - 5/6/06 8:47 AM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
I have two partitons in the first hard disc. This is a good way to keep safe from virus my important files.
One partition ("C") is for Windows XP and programs only. I never use THE FOLDER "MY DOCUMENTS" as destiny of my files, because this folder is in partition "C", and partition "C" is very vulnerable to virus attack. In fact, name for partition "C" is precisely "Programs".
I used second partition "D" for all my documents. I create folders called: "Photos", "Music", etc. Name for partition "D" is "Personal Files".
I have never seen that virus attack second partition "D", and I hope this never occur.
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Partitions
by Paddy O'Brien - 5/6/06 10:33 AM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
I have only one partition; I wanted to put on a separate partition with Partition Magic to run Linux and I lost the OS and all my files. Had I not panicked, I gather that I only had to re-write the partition table (only!) or use FastTrack EasyRecovery. Importantly, Linux partitions itself. However, now I have a life (more importantly a dissertation to do) and no time for Linux.
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ONE
by ddanell - 5/6/06 11:14 AM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
Windows seems to "think" that it knows best for me. So, by default it takes liberty in creating the ridiculous "My Documents" etal on every partion going. I tend to like knowing exacting where my files are going, without a lot of extra thought. I do not like my files getting scattered between desktop, temp, my special directories, and multiple "my document" directories when I am working on complicated projects. It takes extra time and thought to strip of all the extra, unwanted, "My document" garbage when using multiple partions to easily retain some sense of order. And besides, when a hard drive crashes, chances are all the partions will go. Reliable backup strategy is another subject. Multiple partions also waste letters if you have a lot of components plugged into your board. I like the KISS method: Keep It Simple, Stupid.
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Hard drive partitions
by lowemw - 5/6/06 3:24 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
I have four (4) partitions on my primary hard drive. The first has the operating system and most programs. The second holds a copy of the first partition and is used, if need be, to keep my computer running. (In case C drive is corrupt I can format C drive and then copy D to C and everything is fine again.)
The third is for data and videos and I keep all my MP3 files on the fourth.
Mike
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Three
by hgfabian - 5/6/06 5:30 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
My main machine has 3 partitions, Operating system, documents, and page file.
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partitions
by wbatwin - 5/6/06 10:02 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
Two partitions.
One for System and Application software.
The other is store data only.
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Options
by Honey2u - 5/6/06 10:21 PM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
I have 2 options,I did not put it on, just one day it was there. I went into No 1, then into No. 2 then stayed with Options 2, As far as I can understand it is the same as partitions, why is it like this? I would sure like to know.. Honey2u
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Just one
by Olariu - 5/7/06 3:02 AM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
I want my memory-hogging, graphics-intensive 3D games to have as much free space as they want, all in one block.
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2 partition
by NanuNanu14 - 5/7/06 5:05 AM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
because the primary is for my daily activities and the secondary for my back-up file and some important drivers
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Three
by parkpointer - 5/7/06 6:38 AM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
My 1998 pc runs with WIN98SE and I started with a 9gb Maxtor HDD. Although the system has been upgraded several times, when I last did the hd, partitioning was the only way the system could recognize the 160gb drive.
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use 2
by suthernseal - 5/7/06 8:17 AM
In Reply to: How many partitions do you have on your primary hard drive? by Marc Bennett
Because is most necesary repartition in 10% of disk to primary partition, in all case this increase speed in 20% of file access, and extend the life of HD.-
Kisses to nice ladies, reply me at all
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