What affect does compressing the hard drive where XP resides have on perfor

I have split my system hard drive into 2 partitions 26 & 48 gig. The 26 gig contains XP PRO, XP office PRO and several other programs. The 48 gig contains all other programs and any new installs.

I am running low on space on my 26 Gig hard drive (21% free) where XP PRO resides and was wondering what affect, if any, compressing the drive would have on performance?

Can I compress the 26G and not the 48G? Or do I have to compress both.

At what point does it make sense to compress any hard drive?

I have the same question about my VISTA system and have posted the question on that forum.

 

I don't think it is a good idea at all! This came from an era when 10G Hd sold for 300.

Especially the system drive.

Opens possibility of data loss if compression function is interupted etc.

Likely will gain very little space.

Does have some performance impact but based on speed of your HD and processor may not be noticable.

Options!

Move PageFile to second partition.

Do deep disk cleanup of temps and registry the compress/optimize registry.

Do good cleanup of Add/Remove programs of any unused programs, especially look at old versions of Java keep only the newest version!

Grow some more space from the larger partition.

Mike

 

Compressing a HD

I agree with Mike's suggestions wholeheartedly. Remember, when you compress a file to save space, you have to "un-compress" it to use it. Depending on the machines speed, it could slow things down.

Clean out all the junk files you can. If you aren't sure which ones, check out CCleaner at http://www.ccleaner.com/ ,and ATF-Cleaner at http://www.atribune.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 . I personally don't let ATF clear my Prefetch files, as your machine has to learn all over again your usage patterns, and it *may* make the machine a little slower until the Prefetch file gets to know your habits. Just a heads up on that.

They do an outstanding job of cleaning out the junk files, but *do not* use the Registry Cleaners included in the package--they are far too dangerous. Most *all* "Registry Cleaners ", are just snake-oil. I can't even keep count of the users of Reg cleaners whose machines ceased to function afterword. Windows XP takes very good care of the Registry all by itself--much better than the 9x. days.

Good luck, and post back with your results.

 

Good post but the CCleaner is the mildest safest Registry cleaner I know of!

Mike

 

Have all the tools for managing my drvies

Curt & Mike, Thanks for the replies.

I failed to mention VISTA is on my laptop which makes it more difficult to change out the drive. Will probably end up doing that before to long.

I use FIX-IT Utilities and System Mechanic for maintaining my systems.

I do run XP systems with the system drive compressed and haven't notice any major performance difference. However, I was hoping someone could quantify the actual difference if any.

I appreciate the responses,

Thanks again,

 

You are certainly welcome Kermitp. I know nothing about Vista, so I won't comment.

As for compressing your files, on a newer and fast machine you *might not* see much different in performance.

On this old rig, I wouldn't dare use compression.

Good luck,

 

My post fully applies to Vista as well!

No one suggested changing out the drive. I did say to move some free space from the second drive to the C: drive.

See Disk management!

Mike