reformatting hard drive

The harddisk can be partitioned during setup of WinXP. Since there is already an operating system, you will be asked if a repair or a fresh install is to be carried out. Choose fresh install. Follow the prompts to delete the current partition and to create a new C:. When setup is complete, create the other partition(s) from within XP Disk Management.

3 GB is way too small for WinXP. A normal installation on a computer with 1 GB RAM will be 2½-3 GB. Then programs will be added. For best performance, the system partition should not be utilized to more than 75%. There is no reason to separate the OS from the programs. All/most programs make entries in the registry and install stuff on C: anyway. In my opinion, it would only be an unnecessay complication.

I recommend 10-15 GB if no heavy applications are to be installed. On systems belonging to users who do photo and video editing, I recommend 20-30 GB. The actual size is for you to decide but I wouldn't recommend anything below 10 GB.

Have a look at Moving Windows XP default folders Rev1 for information on how to move the most common user files from C: to D:.

I also recommend a second hard disk for backups of the system partition using Norton Ghost or any other imaging software and of the data partition. Split it into two partitions to keep the images separated.

Christer

 

How large is the hard disk? The larger it is the more sense it makes.

1) The operating system tends to spread files over a larger volume than needed. It positions the pagefile somewhere "in the middle ". On a 250 GB hard disk that is 100-150 GB "down the road ". If you limit the system partition, the OS doesn't get spread out and user files do not get in the way. The computer gets a bit faster.

2) If you separate the OS and program files from user data, it is much easier to reinstall if needed. You won't have to worry (as much) about saving your mail, documents and pictures. They are already on their own partition. If the computer does not boot and can not be fixed, it is likely that you can connect it as slave in another computer (or your own after replacing the hard disk and reinstalling) and copy the user data from D:.

3) You can take it one step further. Get a second hard disk for backups and partition it into two. Get imaging software (like Norton Ghost which I use) to backup the system partition and a backup program (like Karens Replicator which I use) to backup the data.

Christer