Formatting and reformatting of HDDs, partitioning and initializing ...


  1. MSwhip
    Posts : 101
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       New #1

    Formatting and reformatting of HDDs, partitioning and initializing ...


    What types of disks and partitions are best and why?

    When formatting, partitioning and initializing new HDD or reformatting and partitioning existing ones. What is the recommended type for the disks and their partitions; I have seen the terms: 1. "logical drive", 2. " Primary partition", 3. "Simple Volume", 4. "New Volume" and the conspicuous "unallocated" partionns in HDD.
    What is the use of each of 1 to 4 and how do I deal with the unallocated space?
    Which is the preferred type for disks that will be located inside the Desktop PC and also in an external enclosure linked to the PC with either USB or eSata interfaces.

    I would appreciate informed answers in layman terms, and if possible in simple 1. 2 3 steps as to how to proceed with the tasks.

    Thank you kindly
    Last edited by MSwhip; 30 Oct 2011 at 16:51. Reason: extension
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  3. seavixen32
    Posts : 7,730
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
       New #2

    Take a look here: Primary, Extended and Logical Partitions

    A primary partition on a basic drive is used to accommodate things like the master boot record and operating system or systems in a dual-boot scenario.

    A hard drive can have up to four primary partitions with logical partitions created within the fourth primary partition if more partitions are needed and are used for storing data.

    Simple volumes are created on dynamic rather than basic disks and are used in RAID configurations: The Difference Between Basic and Dynamic Hard Disks - PC Hardware - Find Free Computer Help Tips Online

    Unallocated space is space on a hard drive that has not been partitioned. You can either create a new partition on it or extend an existing partition to take up the unallocated space.

    If you are considering partitioning your hard drive, please see this tutorial: Partition the Hard Drive in a Windows 7 Install
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  4. MSwhip
    Posts : 101
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    for seavixen


    Thank you for your fast reply, im in the middle of reformatting a partition zeros amd ones written with Mini Partition Wizard so it was very timely. Very comprehensive again (you have already answered to me before).

    Thank you kindly.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  6. seavixen32
    Posts : 7,730
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
       New #4

    You're very welcome, MSwhip.

    We're just pleased to be able to help. :)
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

 

  Related Discussions
I have a small media server. It's a bunch of drives in a full size tower PC, each formatted individually (i.e. no RAID - NTFS). Right now it's 6 drives, either 4TB or 3TB. I have a bunch of smaller (1.5TB and 2TB) drives that I'm not using and would like to use to have a backup of the files...
Last night, I tried to transfer a video file as I've done dozens of times. It didn't work. I tried a second time and realized it was because the file was more than 4GB which FAT32 USB drives will not accept. I successfully formatted the new USB drive to NTFS. My question is can I convert it...
NEED HELP!!! I have a Dell Inspiron that came with Vista. I somehow managed to get it to boot up, even connect to my network, but it was so stinkin slow that it wouldn't even completely load Control Panel so I could start uninstalling programs. I tried to boot in safe mode, but then got the...
Been googling around for info and haven't been able to pinpoint exactly what makes a enterprise drive more reliable than consumer drives. I understand consumer demand for bigger drives at lower cost so manufacturers have to cut corners somewhere along the line. What/Where exactly are they...
WD my passport not initializing
in Hardware & Devices

Hey guys, I know there's about a thousand of these threads around, but none of the solutions seem to be working. The drive doesn't show up in my computer, but when I go to the disk manager tool, it's there, recognized as WD my passport, 500gb and says it needs to be initialized. I...
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

 © Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 18:20.
Find Us