Is it safer to put my data in c: drive?

[justi]

Now:
c:win7 rtm
d:blank(reserved for xp)
e:data

so can I rearrange it like this?
c:data
d:xp
e:win7

1.I experienced a partition table corruption once,and it nearly killed me.So what I want to know is could it reduce the possibility of the partition table error if I put the data in 1st partition(rather than an OS),or if it's corrupt can I still access and read the data in 1st partition?I can reinstall OS but I can't reinstall data,you know.

2.Is the 100m hidden volume of win7 useful?I don't need to encrypt my files,so can I delete it?I heard that if you format it first then do the installation win7 won't create the volume.
And I wanna make a dual boot,if I discard that hidden volume will the dual boot fails or what?xp is more stable and I guess I won't change it,and that's the reason I put it in 2nd partition.win7 is new,so I decide to drop it to the last partition because I may format and re-install it in the future.

I plan to do the re-installation and data transfer lately,so if it's pointless and no need to do that,please tell me soon.

Lots of questions,thank you for reading.

 

[sup3rsprt]

you'll be better off to backup the MBR, the first sector of the hard disk because that is where partition table is stored.

the 100MB partition serves two purposes.

1) it allows you to encrypt the system drive with bitlocker
2) it stores the boot files

If you delete the 100MB partition, chances are your computer will no longer boot into Windows. What you would need to do is move the boot files to some other partition before you deleted it. I've tested that method several times by using the bcdboot command, then make that new partition "active".

You are probably going to stir up a mess on sevenforums by stating that Windows XP is more stable than 7. I'm not going to disagree though, because I still use XP as primary OS myself.

 

[justi]

Thank you for replying.

So,it means:

BIOS -> MBR -> 100M partition -> Win 7 ?

Please recommend a software to backup MBR.


So put the data in first drive is a good idea or not?

 

[sup3rsprt]

BIOS -> MBR -> 100M partition -> Win 7 ?

Yes that's right.

So put the data in first drive is a good idea or not?

Maybe it would be a little faster to recover using partition tools, but whether or not that would be more reliable I don't really know.

 

[justi]

Thank you.
I need to know if it's more reliable.I ever suffered a data loss,it's really a disaster.

 

[Dinesh]

Macrium Reflect Backup and Hard Disk Image software for Windows XP, Vista, Server 2003/2008 works great with Windows 7 x64.

 

[ucf4004]

I had such problem till I bought an external HDD, copied all my stuff to it and safely did a clean install windows. its safer and more effective than lose risk on important data!

 

[sup3rsprt]

Good points. Make backups!

If it is not the partition table that fails it is hard drive failure or data corruption, etc..

 

[justi]

Macrium Reflect Backup and Hard Disk Image software for Windows XP, Vista, Server 2003/2008 works great with Windows 7 x64.

Thank you,I'll take a look.

 

[Barman58]

I would not worry too much about the 100MB partition - This is a good idea for anyone who is multi-booting as it locates the boot files away from any one operating system partition. Which means that you can delete or lose one OS /Partition and still boot to the other for recovery.

On to the subject of protecting against data loss

If you have data that is irreplaceable the only way that you can truly protect this is by the use of a backup external to the system, preferable to an off site location.

Some protection levels are as follows

Each option is cumulative and includes the protection provided by the previous options

• A backup to another partition on the same disk will protect against user error
• A backup to another drive on the same machine will protect against drive failure
• A backup to another drive or media external to the computer will protect against a virus attack
• A backup to another drive or media external to the computer and stored at another location will protect fire or theft of the system.

Of course this protection is only as good as the last time it's performed

 

[justi]

I had such problem till I bought an external HDD, copied all my stuff to it and safely did a clean install windows. its safer and more effective than lose risk on important data!

Good points. Make backups!

If it is not the partition table that fails it is hard drive failure or data corruption, etc..

I also burn stuff to dvd-r,it's the lesson I've learned from last time.But copy them back to hdd is also a hard work.An external hdd is a good choice,maybe I'll also buy one in the future.It's much easier than burn discs.

 

[Dave76]

Now:
c:win7 rtm
d:blank(reserved for xp)
e:data

so can I rearrange it like this?
c:data
d:xp
e:win7

1.I experienced a partition table corruption once,and it nearly killed me.So what I want to know is could it reduce the possibility of the partition table error if I put the data in 1st partition(rather than an OS),or if it's corrupt can I still access and read the data in 1st partition?I can reinstall OS but I can't reinstall data,you know.

2.Is the 100m hidden volume of win7 useful?I don't need to encrypt my files,so can I delete it?I heard that if you format it first then do the installation win7 won't create the volume.
And I wanna make a dual boot,if I discard that hidden volume will the dual boot fails or what?xp is more stable and I guess I won't change it,and that's the reason I put it in 2nd partition.win7 is new,so I decide to drop it to the last partition because I may format and re-install it in the future.

I plan to do the re-installation and data transfer lately,so if it's pointless and no need to do that,please tell me soon.

Lots of questions,thank you for reading.

Just leave the partition order as it is now, it's a good setup. Your system will work better.
Your problem is not the partition order it's that you need to backup all your partitions in case you have something like this happen again.

So put the data in first drive is a good idea or not?

It's not going to help you.

Thank you.
I need to know if it's more reliable.I ever suffered a data loss,it's really a disaster.

Better to use a backup image program as mentioned, like Macrium Reflect.

I had such problem till I bought an external HDD, copied all my stuff to it and safely did a clean install windows. its safer and more effective than lose risk on important data!

Good decision, external HD is a good choice for back ups, large capacity and will keep your information and OS safe if your internal HD has a problem.
Justi, you should try to get an external HD for backup storage.

Good points. Make backups!

If it is not the partition table that fails it is hard drive failure or data corruption, etc..

I also burn stuff to dvd-r,it's the lesson I've learned from last time.But copy them back to hdd is also a hard work.An external hdd is a good choice,maybe I'll also buy one in the future.It's much easier than burn discs.

With a Backup and restore program you can re-store your entire HD (depending on it's size) in 30 min to 1 hour max.
Get a good sized external HD if you can, it will save you a lot of work and grief.

I think your going to have some problems if you are going to try to install XP after you already have Win7 installed. The 'Older' (XP) OS should be installed first.

 

[justi]

Thank you for your serious reply,dave 76.

I wanted to install xp first but the cd-rom is not with me right now.

 

[sup3rsprt]

I think your going to have some problems if you are going to try to install XP after you already have Win7 installed. The 'Older' (XP) OS should be installed first.

Another good point.

See http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

 

[justi]

I think your going to have some problems if you are going to try to install XP after you already have Win7 installed. The 'Older' (XP) OS should be installed first.

Another good point.

See http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

I've read that first.Easybcd,right?

 

[sup3rsprt]

Yes if you install Windows XP after 7 you need to repair the boot sector with something like EasyBCD or the command-line tools on the DVD. If you were to install XP first you (usually) won't have that problem.

 

[SofTones]

7 needs to install to the "C" partition I think... wants to be the MASTER of it's own destiny.......

 

[sup3rsprt]

Drive letter doesn't really have anything to do with it. Some people have Windows 7 on D: drive for example. Although it's a bit annoying when that happens. I always like to have Windows on C:

 

[justi]

Drive letter doesn't really have anything to do with it. Some people have Windows 7 on D: drive for example. Although it's a bit annoying when that happens. I always like to have Windows on C:

But actually no matter what drive letter it has,it's always in the first physical partition,right?

 

[sup3rsprt]

No, you can install Windows on first, second, third, fourth, fifth partition, etc.