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

[MSwhip]

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

 

[seavixen32]

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: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52291-partition-hard-drive-windows-7-install.html

 

[MSwhip]

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.

 

[seavixen32]

You're very welcome, MSwhip.

We're just pleased to be able to help.