My planned partitions for 1TB Drive

[BarrieNoodles]

Here is a list of the partitions I was planning to put on my 2nd drive, a 1TB Seagate. Am I micro managing the partitions and should stay with Directories? What do you think?

Drive: K - Windows 7 OS 100GB
L - Page Files 15GB
M - Temp Files
Temp Internet Files
Downloads 100GB
N - Programs 200GB
O - Documents & Data 200GB
P - Utility Programs 100GB - I'm a Utility junky, like to try out new Utils so I
was thinking of keeping them together
R - Pics - Videos - Music 285GB - the balance

 

[pparks1]

I would go with directories. What is the desire to create so many partitions?

 

[BarrieNoodles]

To keep the OS on it's own partition and cut down on defrag. time.

The other option I was looking at is
K - for Win 7 OS
L - Page Files
M - Temp Files
N - All other files

 

[pparks1]

Keeping the OS on it's own partition makes sense. Windows 7 pretty much defrags in the background. I rarely, if ever defrag a drive.

 

[stormy13]

To keep the OS on it's own partition and cut down on defrag. time.

The other option I was looking at is
K - for Win 7 OS
L - Page Files
M - Temp Files
N - All other files

A partition for the pagefile on the same drive is a waste of time as it won't help with performance, and if anything will hamper it.. If something has to be written to the pagefile and it happens at the same time as something else is being read from another partition, it will slow everything down. The only way that can provide any benefit when moving the pagefile is if it is to another hard drive, and then only if the other drive is the same speed or faster (and then you want it set as the first partition on the drive.

 

[karlsnooks]

I second Stormy and PParks.

Putting the page file in a separate partition on the same drive will actually slow your system down. If you want to put it a DRIVE which does not contain your system files, then you can get a slight benefit.

Make a 100GB partition for your system. Everything else can be lumped together into one partition. With the handling of directories/folders and libraries by Win 7, then all of your partitioning is an unneeded complication to you and your computer. Forget the XP ways.

 

[Lemur]

Agreed. Unless you wanted to dual boot, it's decent to keep the os on one partition and programs/data on the other.

 

[karlsnooks]

Actually, he is much better of always installing programs to the OS partition and with 100 GB he will have plenty of room for programs and system. I've never been able to use more than about 20 GB. Right now with everything except for my iso files which I keep in a separate partition then I'm only using 23.2 GB. That 23.2 includes \documents, \music, \video, \picture libraries plus another library of .docx files

 

[Wishmaster]

I too Agree.

Win 7, PageFile and all applications/Software together.

2nd Partiiton for all other DATA (Pictures,Music, Videos etc)



--Ideally, a second HD would be nice for Backup/Imaging Purposes.

But, if this is your only one, you may consider 1 other partition at the very end of the drive, For System Images.

Granted, being on the same drive you will not be protected from a HD failure, but it will have OS images in case other trouble arises. And its better than none at all.

By keeping DATA on the 2nd partition, it would be easier to back up.

Something Like [C-OS] [D-DATA] [E-Backups]


But, if at all possible, just the 2 partitions and backups on a separate Drive or External Drive.

 

[eldinv]

I agree with most for the most part, OS you should on its own partition and a DATA partition on the primary drive.

paging file should be left alone!

Create a DATA partition for things like My Documents, My Videos, My Pictures, etc....
Data Partition - Windows 7 Forums

Something Like [C-OS] [D-DATA] [E-Backups]

That's exactly what I had up until I get a secondary drive. Although my OS partition is huge and will probably NEWER come close to being full, I just made it easier for myself. LOL

Then I created two more partitions [E-Backups] [F-DVD ONLY] in case that something goes wrong with the first drive all my backups and as well as my DVD-Ready files are on the secondary drive.

Good Luck with your move to Windows 7, it will be FUN!

Once you set everything up, I would create a system image backup using Macrium Reflect Free Edition. Once all drivers, windows updates applications are installed create another system image back.
Imaging with free Macrium - Windows 7 Forums

This will save you from having to re-install Windows if something goes wrong.

Take Care,
Eldin

 

[karlsnooks]

Windows 7 comes with an excellent Backup and Restore program which I use almost daily due to the testing I do.

Here's the link to the tutorial :
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

 

[BarrieNoodles]

After careful consideration and flipping a coin I will follow your advise and go with 2 partitions on the second HD. One for the OS and one for the other files. I don't need a BU partition because I will have a 1TB eSATA external HD to take care of back ups.
Thank you for your input. This is a great forum!

 

[karlsnooks]

wise decision.
Glad that we could be of assistance.

 

[eldinv]

Good work! The most important lesson whatever decision is to backup/imaging. It will save you from the pain of re-installation when things go south.

Happy Imaging!
Eldin

 

[syed097]

one partition for the OS then one partition for other stuff using directories would be best.

 

[noyb]

After careful consideration and flipping a coin I will follow your advise and go with 2 partitions on the second HD. One for the OS and one for the other files.

The next coin flip .. Have you decided how big to make the OS partition ???

 

[BarrieNoodles]

My OS partition will be 100GB. I have lot of space with a 1TB HD a 500MG HD (it has Vista on it) and 1TB eSATA External Back Up plus 500MB USB External drive.

 

[Maxxwire]

BarrieNoodles- That sounds like a sweet setup probably because I have very nearly the same setup only with 60GB for the OS on the 1TB drive and a 2TB eSATA Raid 0 drive for backups as well as data and 100's of GB of WMP recorded video plus a 500GB 'Run'nGun' USB drive for data posted to and downloaded from the internet plus an additional pair of inert 1TB redundant data backup drives one Firewire 400 and the other USB both of which make me appreciate the speed of the eSATA Raid 0 drive all the more!

~Maxx~
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