Win 7/HDD setup- separate partition for data?

As it is so easy to do, with no risks.

If you transfer from a dirty PC to clean PC that is a risk.
But transfer from a clean PC to clean PC that is no risk.

I always use the External hard drive method.

Coldengrey,
How are you doing? How can we help you? Did we provide enough confusion? Looking forward to hearing from you.

karlsnooks said:

if, before running the Win 7 install, you partition you drive as needed for you, as example 60 GB for system and apps, and ALL OF THE REST for your data, than the Win 7 install is not going to create that useless 100 MB partition. The "recovery" there is nothing more than the System Repair Disc has on it.

I do recommend for all cases, after installing Win7, to make a System Repair Disc. There are disasters which can result in you not being able to boot from your hard disk. That System Repair Disc will save your bacon (and allow you to repair your system).

[FONT=&quot]DISC - CREATE A SYSTEM REPAIR DISC[/FONT]​

START | type System Repair | Enter key | Create Disc button

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Might be stupid question, I've always just had windows installed on OEM machines..
-How would I partition the hdd Before windows install (to avoid useless 100mb partition)?

karlsnooks said:

The "recovery" there is nothing more than the System Repair Disc has on it.

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-What is this referring to? Is the 100mb partition for recovery?

the 100MB partition is where the boot files are. Normally the recovery partition is to reinstall the OS since they don't usually provide OS disks. If you have another installation disk of the same type you don't need the recovery partition. If you format the partition first, windows will not create the 100MB partition. It will put the boot files on the OS partition.

Might be stupid question, I've always just had windows installed on OEM machines..
-How would I partition the hdd Before windows install (to avoid useless 100mb partition)?

Click to expand...

The 100MB partition is not useless. It can be very handy in some cases - e.g. double boots. But if you want to get rid of it in an OEM installation, you have to deactivate the 100MB partition and activate the C partition (best with the bootable CD of Partition Wizard). The you repair the bootmgr on C.

I personally think it is not worth the hassle, but to everybody his own.

If you're adamant you want to dispense with the 100MB partition, there is a workaround if you carry out a clean install of Windows.

When you create your Windows partition you'll be reminded that it may be necessary to create another partition for the boot files.

Let Windows do that then delete the partition you created leaving you with the 100MB active partition that holds the boot information, then extend the boot partition to the size you want.

If he is doing a clean install, wouldn't it be simpler to just format the partition he puts windows on, that way the 100MB partition will be on the C partition.

essenbe said:

If he is doing a clean install, wouldn't it be simpler to just format the partition he puts windows on, that way the 100MB partition will be on the C partition.

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Well, unless I'm missing something, every time I've carried out a clean install, Windows has always gone ahead and created the 100MB boot partition and the operating system partition.

Using the method I mentioned gives me four decent-sized primary partitions as wasting a perfectly good partition for the sake of a few boot files seemed rather counter-productive.

If you format the partition first, windows won't create the 100MB. At least it never has for me.Read this tut. It shows both ways.

essenbe said:

If you format the partition first, windows won't create the 100MB. At least it never has for me.Read this tut. It shows both ways.

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That's where the confusion arises, the tutorial shows correctly how it's done using diskpart, so you're absolutely right.

What I should have said and didn't, was that I was using the clean install method whereby you're booting from your Windows DVD, and not using diskpart.

Sorry for the confusion, I think I'll take my sleeping pills and lay down in a darkened room.

I don't want to wear out my welcome w bunch of stupid questions (previously covered) but-
Think my fundamental knowledge of partitions and boot/hdd functions are likely lacking cause I'm confused...

1) Can you guys explain the pros/cons of the system reserved partition and more about its functions. I'm not sure I should write it off as unnecessary? I do have Windows Install disc.

The tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html
says:
"The reason for suggesting to create the System Reserved at 200MB instead of the new default of 100MB is an attempt to curb some of the issues we're now seeing with the partition being too small when dual/multi booting and it also being needed for use with the Windows 7 Backup and Restore and BitLocker programs."

2)I'm doing this clean install on fresh 500gb hdd - which happens to be a dell inspiron 1520. I've gathered all of the dell specific drivers, ect that research has revealed are not handled well with windows 7 included drivers...
Should I burn those drivers to a data disc or will they be okay to install from my usb portable hdd?

3) I want to make sure to create real stable backups following the install...
At what stages should I create back ups? After all drivers installed, windows 7 updates, Norton security suite and update/definitions, malware bytes, ect (basic core necessities)? Or before I install anything non windows 7?

3.1) This type of back up should be 'image' w win 7 built-in back up? Which partitions, just the c: drive or d: with relocated user data, ect? Or do I just 'image/clone' entire hard drive?
I know this is awful basic stuff I should know...

Opinions are like mouths. Everyone has one.

I do not use the System Reserved Paritions. Is is 100% useless! MS soon realized that the functions that they had intended for there weren't needed there, but the system reserved partition still remains.

After you have installed win 7, then we will look at the imaging routes.

System reserved partition or not. The imaging advice will remain constant.

The 100 MB partition is the active partition and contains the boot files (enables system to boot)

If you use windows backup every backup will contain the 100MB partition.
Every system image will overwrite the last image. To avoid that happening either rename the image, place it in a folder or move it to a different location. To restore the image, you will have to rename it back to the origional name.

I would save 1 image of a clean install after all windows updates are through and drivers installed. I would save an image after you install basic programs. That gives you an option to reinstall.

I would recommend using 2 imaging programs. Even the best programs will fail on occasion. There are some great free programs.
Here is a tutorial on imaging stratigies
Another on imaging with Macrium free
If you have a Seagate or Western Digital hard drive they offer free scaled down versions of Acronis.
Paragon has a free imaging program.

coldengrey,

You get Win 7 installed as you desire.

I will show you how to use the only imaging software that I now use, namely,

Windows Backup and Restore.

A marvelous, easy-to-use, 100% reliable imaging program.

coldengrey, you have to understand the karlsnooks is a real windows7 imaging expert and fan. He does very well with this facility. Most people, however, like me, had nothing but trouble with Windows7 imaging. Besides, windows7 imaging has hardly any functions that you can specify.

Should you decide to use it, make sure you use a second imaging program (e.g. free Macrium or free Paragon) to make sure you can really recover your system in times of need. I am not saying that windows7 imaging may not work for you, but you are taking your chances.

thanks guys. Got my 4 gb RAM from new egg today. Now gotta wait for my new wd5000bekt and then I'll be able to start this install!

I asked on a different thread, but maybe you guys could clear up for me..
I have a Jtag xbox 360 and it can only read FAT and HFS+
So I have 750gb wd passport I formatted HFS+ (w MacDrive 8)

Is an HFS+ portable HDD going to be problematic to use as a back up device?

I have a second Segate GoFlex Network External HDD, is a network device also problematic if ever need to restore back up? Of course this one I can buy a USB cable and connect directly to laptop...

WHS, I think I alreadysuggested that and linked hi to some of your tuts.

As far as the Xbox goes I can't help as I dont have one. But a mac can read NTFS it just can't write to it. That's why your Seagate Go Flex are formatted NTFS and can be used by both PC and Mac.

Why don't you partition the passport (maybe half and half) and format the partition that you want to use for imaging in NTFS. That would at least work.

whs said:

Why don't you partition the passport (maybe half and half) and format the partition that you want to use for imaging in NTFS. That would at least work.

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you know i never even thought of that- duh!

coldengrey said:

whs said:

Why don't you partition the passport (maybe half and half) and format the partition that you want to use for imaging in NTFS. That would at least work.

Click to expand...

you know i never even thought of that- duh!

Click to expand...

Good, let us know whether that works for you.