Formatting Scenario

Someone told me to do the following: Please tell me what you think. Is it feasible, make sense, or ??? I have been reading billy bob comments about partitions. With the exception of losing about 2 1/2 -3 gb for Win98SE. Partition the following: 40 gb HDD
C:\ 2.5-3gb DO NOT FORMAT
D:\ 2.5-3gb FORMAT and Activate so it becomes the C: Drive for the O/S
E:\ 2.5gb format for Programs
F:\ balance format for Files.
This way if the D drive crashes with the O/S. It can be deleted and make the original C:\ Drive Active, Format it, and then reinstall the O/S

Please tell me what you think. Do this make any sense??

Thank you

Donabano

 

I would install the OS to C, and Ghost it to D, then set up multi-boot, so you can get to either install.
Sort of like a manual RAID array

 

That sounds fine , but, I need to know how to do all this. Can you give me a step 1..Step 2. I know how to set up a partition using Windows start up disc. Would I format all the drives? if so, how would I copy a disc image with ghost and then place it in D: drive.
Would I need a program like partition Magic? How would I set up a multi boot situation? In CMOS?? or where?

Good idea! I just need some direction.

Thanks

Donabano

 

First, boot to a Win98 startup disk, and run fdisk.
Make your partitions to whatever size you want.
Make the first one active.
Format all drives.
Install Windows.
Go get a free boot loader www.xosl.org works, there are others.
Install it.
Now you can set it up to boot from any partition.
Open Explorer, and drag and drop everything from C to D, except the recycle bin, and the Windows folder.
Change to D
Make a folder called: Windows
Drag and drop everything from C:\Windows to D:\Windows, except "win386.swp "
Open a DOS box, and type: sys d:
You now have two identical installs of Windows, and using xosl, you can boot to either one.
You don't need Ghost, although you could use it to copy C to D if you're more familiar with how to do that, and you already have it.
Use C for your main OS, and every once in awhile, if it's all running perfectly, just repeat the procedure above to "clone" it to D.
If C ever quits working to the point that it's unrecoverable, you can simply boot to D, and clone it back to C, without losing much of anything, then reinstall xosl to dual boot again.
If you have Ghost, use it, it's easier, but you don't really need it.
Others may have a better dual boot loader in mind. I know there are others, I just can't remember the names right now.

 

I am thinking about all u have said. makes a great deal of sense.If the c drive has an error, and won't be recognized, and you have to try to reformat the damaged drive and you can't. You can boot from D:\, making it the new C:\ drive. ??? If I make a clone of the D, will it allow me to fix the C:\ drive and get it back to where it was?? Or am I taklking through my hat.

Thanks

Donabano

 

Heh, that's a round about way of saying if one drive screws up, you can boot to the other and clone.
The answer is yes, doesn't matter which one is C or D. When it's the boot drive, it will be C.
To keep it simple, the first partition is called C, the second partition is D.
Although this will be reversed when you boot to D.
The idea is sound.
Use C. If it messes up beyond repair, boot to the other, format the bad, and clone good to bad.
I use Ghost, and clone my working C to another partition.
If it screws up, I just boot to the Ghost diskette, and clone it back.

 

I am a great believer in the KISS method of doing things.
I am sure I will have questions as I go along on this thing. I am also sure I don't totally understand what you said, but I will try to follow your instructions to the letter, hopefully. Thank you very much for your time and effort.

Regards

Donabano

 

I'll try and explain it simply.
To avoid drive letter confusion, I'll use Partition 1, Partition 2, and Partition 3.
1.) Run Fdisk, make 3 partitions, about 3 gig each for Part 1 and Part 2, the remainder for Part 3.
2.) Format all 3 partitions.
3.) Install Windows to Part 1.
4.) Install all your software, and change any settings, do everything you need to get it exactly the way you want it.
MAKE SURE you install everything, all software, to Part 3, not the default c:\program files\whatevername!!!
5.) Install XOSL.
6.) Use Ghost, or my method to clone Part 1 to Part 2.
You now have a dual-boot system, that will be identical.
7.) Use Part 1 as your main Windows.
8.) As long as Part 1 remains stable, and working, periodically Ghost/clone it to Part 2, to keep up to date with software you've installed (to Part 3), any Windows updates, etc.
9.)If Part 1 goes beyond repair in ANY way, boot to Part 2.
All your programs and settings will be identical to Part 1.
10.) Format Part 1 (Note: If you give the partitions different names, it's much easier to keep it all straight. If you use Ghost, then just relabel the partition immediately after).
11.) Ghost/clone Part 2 to Part 1.
12.) Restart, boot to Part 1, and all is well

 

Thank you again. A really big help.

Donabano