Partitions, two questions in one

I have two questions rolled nice, neat, and tidy all in one. First is short, and simple. I purchased a external drive (USB) for system storage, and for backup as well. Should I crate a partition to keep the backup files completely separate from my generic saved documents such as pictures, files, programs, word documents etc etc, or will separate folders suffice ? Separate folders would be dedicated folders, and the backup folder would never be used for anything other than backup.

Next question on partition, when I custom installed Windows 7 pro on my Dell XPS 420 it removed my Dell's notorious add on, commercialization, and control in general ( I guess you know how I feel about computer manufactures) of the d drive as being the recovery drive storage area. It also removed the dell control center, all that junk dell junk... and I don't want any of it back. Now I read over this on some general questions, and it seems it's safe to delete the partition being drive d. If I delete it what should I do then ? I don't really see a need for the storage being I have a external drive now , it's 15 gig size, so I guess I could use it to store music or pictures in. Would it be wise or can it be done to just add this back in my c drive that's my main drive, make it one big drive like it supposed to be ?

Clint

1. It does not really matter in this case. Seperate partitions or seperate folders serve the same purpose. It would be different with an internal drive where you may want to image partitions on seperate schedules and/or to different drives.
2. I assume the D partition was a leftover from Vista or XP. Unless you want to keep the option of reinstalling the old system, you can delete that partition. I would make it a data partition. See here on the why and how.

Thanks to richc46, and whs for fast answers. I don't use anywhere near my hard drive capacity either, so it's a non issue to have that "wasted" space, and I can use it for some kind of specialized easy access storage. I was looking in that direction on the recover d drive question, just needed a confirmation. I was not sure on the backup external drive, again thanks for the help... no way do I plan on going back to Vista.

I agree the Dell XPS 420 is an outstanding computer, I do however abhor Dell or any other manufacture having the dell updates, dell this, dell that. I will say that this computer had far less junk on it when purchased than many others I have seen. I cleaned most of it out before installing windows 7, however the windows 7 is perfect just like it is. I have had mostly custom computers in the past, some half built by me, others built by computer shop. On the Dell XPS 420 I didn't have time to build, or have one built, so I had to purchase this, and I have not had a single problem out of it.

My install also went without a hitch, it was far easier than any other windows install I have ever done. I have used Windows 98, Windows 2000, ME, XP, Vista, and now Windows 7 !! I also used some windows back when I was 18 or so, that would be 16 years ago !! I used to have access to all kinds of software from work, however MS started tightening the ropes on software, and I would hate to go to jail because of some crazy software violation !! Wow I made myself sound like a criminal, however I was not pirating software, years ago it was much easier to get business software from where I worked, now most places of business rent computers (as does mine) to avoid all the problems.

clint said:

My install also went without a hitch, it was far easier than any other windows install I have ever done. I have used Windows 98, Windows 2000, ME, XP, Vista, and now Windows 7 !! I also used some windows back when I was 18 or so, that would be 16 years ago !! I used to have access to all kinds of software from work, however MS started tightening the ropes on software, and I would hate to go to jail because of some crazy software violation !! Wow I made myself sound like a criminal, however I was not pirating software, years ago it was much easier to get business software from where I worked, now most places of business rent computers (as does mine) to avoid all the problems.

Now would be a good time to go through the two guides in my sig and then create a clean image of 7 in case something breaks.