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formatting my pc

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by maxmangion, 2007/01/28.

  1. 2007/01/28
    maxmangion

    maxmangion Inactive Thread Starter

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    I have a 120GB which is currently partitions:

    20GB OS + Progs
    40GB Multimedia Files
    10GB Personal Files
    40GB Backup of Multimedia Files
    10GB Backup of Personal Files

    My first question is ... does it make sense to have a backup partition on the same physical drive? If not, should I simply delete the last two partitions with partition magic (the software i used to create them in the first place)?

    Also, if i am about to format the first partition to setup a clean install of win xp, are there any actions which i should take regarding the other partitions, or shall i simply do the format as if i had only one partition?

    Thank you in advance for any feedback.
     
    maxmangion,
    #1
  2. 2007/01/28
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    I can't think of anything that makes more sense than having a separate HD for your backups. I wouldn't operate without it.

    I won't comment on how you might want to rearrange your present drive, that's subjective and entirely up to you. Just get the backup drive and the rest is not that important. I have to admit that I prefer a single gutted main drive. It simplifies operations, backups, path statements, and some other issues. I don't expect all will agree with that any more than I expect them to talk me into doing otherwise.

    Get the backup drive and some good imaging software. You'll not regret it.
     
    surferdude2,
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  4. 2007/01/29
    maxmangion

    maxmangion Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi,

    Thanks for your reply. Yes actually i already have data backup drive too, however, i have never used an imaging software, i simply copy/paste the data files.

    The reason why i have never used an imaging software is that if my main drive get infected, I'm afraid that my backup drive will also get infected as well ... am i right or am i missing something?

    Thanks very much
     
    maxmangion,
    #3
  5. 2007/01/29
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    I simply HAVE TO ... :p ... disagree with the 'dude. Using imaging software on an unpartitioned (meaning only a single partition) hard disk will result in large images and long execution times. I have two partitions, separating the system and programs from user data. That minimizes the image size of the system partition and the execution time. I use a different application to backup user data. It is simpler and quicker to retrieve a user file from the backup by a copy/paste than retrieving it from an image.

    I do all creating and restoring using Ghost 2003 booted from the Ghost Boot Disks. I create a new image on a monthly basis. Restoring it has no effect on my user data on the other partition. It happens that I restore an image several times on a single day (testing software, getting rid of it and so on). It takes five minutes on my twelve GB system partition (five GB used) but if user data was to be restored on a single partition it would take much much longer and I would have to reimage prior to installing the software to not lose the most recent user data.

    Sit back and wait. Soon you will read that programs should be on a separate partition. In my opinion, that makes no sense since it would necessitate keeping two images synchronized and in my example above, it would mean restoring two images and not one.

    Christer

    Edited: Using imaging software would mean a second partition on the backup hard disk. Images should always be on their own dedicated partition.
     
    Christer,
    #4
  6. 2007/01/29
    maxmangion

    maxmangion Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thx for your reply.

    Basically, I have 2x120GB drives one internal and another used as an external disk. i am thinking of set them up as follows:

    Internal Drive:

    20GB for Operating System and Programs
    100GB for Data Files

    External Drive:

    20GB to create an image of the operating system and programs
    100GB to backup up the data files.

    Now when it is time to format my main 20GB partition drive which i have the OS and software, what is the normal procedure to restore the image file which i created on the backup disk.

    i am planning to buy and use Norton Ghost

    Thanks you for any advice.
     
    maxmangion,
    #5
  7. 2007/01/29
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    You may want to consider getting Acronis True Image. It can create incremental images so that daily imaging takes under five minutes. It also has a scheduling function so that you need not be involved in the process.

    I currently have it scheduled to make automatic daily incremental images at first boot each day. I have the last 90 days stored on my secondary drive. They take up only 13.4 gigs of drive space. That's more protection than most people need but since it's so easy, why not.

    HTH
     
    surferdude2,
    #6

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