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Partition Hard Disk

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by aussiejohn, 2005/02/28.

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  1. 2005/02/28
    aussiejohn

    aussiejohn Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I have never used a computer with a partitioned hard drive before.
    I have just purchased a laptop for my daughter and it has a Drive (C) and a Drive (E) hard disk.The only difference is that E is marked data and is empty.
    What is the purpose of these, should I be installing programs on the empty (E) Data disk or just wait until the other one is full and then use (E)?
     
    aussiejohn,
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  2. 2005/02/28
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    Where is D: ?

    The purpose of partitions it to keep programs, data etc. away from the main OS drive so they are not ( usually anyway ) lost if the C: drive does get wiped out.

    It also makes a good place to store backups.

    BillyBob
     
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  4. 2005/02/28
    bluzkat

    bluzkat Inactive

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    I agree with BB... keeping the programs you install separate from the operating system is IMO just good organization. With today's very large hard drives, I use several partitions just because they're easier to manage. There are a lot of people that also believe that putting everything on 1 large partition is perfectly alright. So it looks like the debate is on. :D Basically it is what ever you prefer and what works best for you.

    BB - I'm going to guess the 'unmentioned' D drive is a recovery partition or possibly even an optical drive.

    B :cool:
     
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  5. 2005/03/03
    aussiejohn

    aussiejohn Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I am very sorry to confuse you guys, the two partitions are Acer(C) and AcerData(D) and E is the CD drive
     
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  6. 2005/03/03
    aussiejohn

    aussiejohn Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    This brings me to another question, having already installed several programs on Acer(C) and AcerData(D) is blank, can I transfer them over, or will I have to uninstall all the programs and re install?
     
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  7. 2005/03/03
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    In 99% of the cases, there are registry entries pointing to the installed location and moving the program folders would not suffice. I would be surprized if all folders and files could be found since they may be scattered all over the place, e.g. in the Windows directory and the Documents and Settings directory. You will have to uninstall and reinstall on D:.

    Since a program doesn't get a "clean" installation on D: with nothing anywhere else, I install my programs on the system partition ( C: ). No matter what I do, the installer will make registry entries on C: and also put folders and files there.

    I do recommend moving user data to D: to keep it separated from the system and programs. If You click the link to the Ghost Guide in my sig, there are directions on how to move the stuff and get Windows to default to the new location.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  8. 2005/03/03
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I bought a Sony Vaio for a Club I belong to recently and was delighted to see that the HD was partitioned with Windows on C: drive - the D: drive was empty. This is where you can store your data away from the OS. In theory - and in practice on the Vaio, the restore disk (I had make a restore after a Member fouled up the laptop) can be used to restore the OS and supplied software without losing the data on D: drive.

    There may well be a (small) hidden partition, too, but you will not see that in Explorer, rather right click on My Computer icon > Manage > Disk Management where it will be shown.
     
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  9. 2005/03/03
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    How I have handled this. But I have not done to for quite some time. But have done it in both 98SE and XP Pro.

    I use PowerDesk ( excelent windows Explorer replacement ). Setup two Windows side by side. Select a folder on say D:. Drag-N-Drop it to say E:

    Then I use Norton Windoctor to find and change the items in the Registry.

    So far I have only had one problem. But is was 100% my fault. I drag-n-droped A SUB Folder not the main one. I don't think I need to even mention the :( aggrevation that caused. :(

    However I will say this. " It MAY NOT work on all machines " Especially maybe an OEM. " I have never had an OEM.

    BillyBob
     
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  10. 2005/03/03
    jongru

    jongru Inactive

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    :p Hi Aussiejohn,

    If you bought your computer from a retail outlet and did not install the operating system from your own windows cd, then be careful, many of the computers are set up with a separate partition (D:, E:) to hold the restore computer to factory default condition. My Compaq used c:, E: in it's original factory condition. E: was the "drive" used to hold all the zipped system and driver files for both the operating system, hardware and software. If this is the case and you start writing and saving files to that strange "Drive" you are courting a disaster in the event you duplicate a named key file in the resoration partition "Drive "....Always
     
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  11. 2005/03/12
    aussiejohn

    aussiejohn Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    OK Jongru, simplify for me, Yes it was a shop purchased Acer Laptop and I did not set it up.Are you saying I should keep using Acer(C) Drive which has everyhting on it, and leave AcerData(D) empty as it is now ??????
     
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  12. 2005/03/12
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    And that is a FACT that I agree with.

    I just found that out the HARD way on an older Compaq PC.

    And no Restore/Recovery CD was available.

    That is also the one that I found 8 Viurses and 4 trojans on. So I reformated. Not a good idea.

    BillyBob
     
    Last edited: 2005/03/12
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  13. 2005/03/13
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    A couple of questions for you ....

    What are the sizes of the partitions on the drive? Right click My Computer icon > Manage > Disk Management and how many partitions are shown?

    In Windows Explorer > Tools > Folder Options > View > Check 'Show hidden files' and folders and uncheck 'Hide Protected Operating System files'. What is shown in the D drive apart from (probably) Recycler and System Volume Information? When you have that info reset the two items above.

    Post back with this info - without having the laptop to hand I would be very certain that the empty partition is for data use and there is no danger of overwriting any restore files.
     
    PeteC,
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  14. 2005/03/14
    aussiejohn

    aussiejohn Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Pete C, OK Question 1, Acer (C) 17.56Gb, AcerData (D) 17.73Gb, PQ Service 1.95Gb.
    Question 2, Apart from Recycler and System Volume Information, Nothing.
     
    aussiejohn,
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  15. 2005/03/14
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Quite clear to me - D is an empty partition for storage of user's data (as the volume label implies). See my post #7 for the benefits of this strategy.

    You can store stuff on C - there is ample space, but in the event of the need to use the Restore disk this partition would be wiped clean with the loss of all data thereon. That partition would be restored to the 'as delivered' state.
     
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  16. 2005/03/14
    aussiejohn

    aussiejohn Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    OK, so the general cocensus is now that I can store programs on both or either partitions, but the ones on (C) will be lost during a format? :)
     
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  17. 2005/03/14
    Mron

    Mron Inactive

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    Some other good uses for the spare partition would be music files, downloaded software installs, temporary internet files, temp files, backed up emails/address book, favorites, documents, movies, iso files etc etc. Keeping all these files off the OS partition can help performance as well as keep the OS partition clean

    Since you sound new to this here's a friendly tip - Keep it organized. Make some new folders named to reflect what's going to be in them.

    . As far as installing programs to the spare, go for it. If and when C: needs a format, you still have the files with your programs along with any settings, ini files, or logs etc. After a format/re-install of Windows on C: and previous to installing any of your old programs, rename the folder the programs are all installed in, and create a new programs folder to install all your old apps. Once they are all installed, you can copy paste the files from the old to the new into thier respected folders, overwriting ALL This puts your programs back with all your familiar settings, created files, etc.
     
    Mron,
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  18. 2005/03/15
    aussiejohn

    aussiejohn Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Hello Mron, thanks for the tip. although I am not new to computers, I have been around them for years, I am new to Windows XP and I have never used a partition before.
     
    aussiejohn,
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