Why Two Partitions?

[bigmck]

Some on here have their OS and Programs in one partition and the Docs in another. They then backup those two partitions to a separate HD with two partitions. I can't understand the reason for separate partitions. If you used only one partition and made a system image to another HD you could restore just as easily couldn't you?

 

[gregrocker]

It's better to put your User folders on another HD if you have one, along with a stored image of just the OS/Programs partition.

This way if your OS becomes irreparable or needs reinstall, you can reimage the leaner OS/Programs partition in 15 minutes and your data is waiting and current in its data partition vault on a separate HD not tied to the OS partition, and which won't fail along with the OS HD.

The answer to your question why not just save an image of OS/Programs/User files is because User files change daily or even hourly so an image is not a practical way to back them up so they can be restored to current.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html

 

[pbcopter]

For me it is a matter of convenience. My system drive that I create a backup image of regularly is only about 40GB while my data drives contain hundreds of gigibytes of photos, music, documents, etc. If I must restore from my image to get the system up and running again it is only 40GB not 2TB.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I store nothing at all on the OS partition, it makes a clean install very worry-free and I create an image of the 'new clean' install with just the basics added so it's even easier to recover after I mess something up.

 

[mjf]

I store nothing at all on the OS partition, it makes a clean install very worry-free and I create an image of the 'new clean' install with just the basics added so it's even easier to recover after I mess something up.

What about programs that live in ProgramFiles and ProgramFiles(x86).

 

[Grimmjow]

I store nothing at all on the OS partition, it makes a clean install very worry-free and I create an image of the 'new clean' install with just the basics added so it's even easier to recover after I mess something up.

What about programs that live in ProgramFiles and ProgramFiles(x86).

I've made three words bold for you

 

[bigmck]

I store nothing at all on the OS partition, it makes a clean install very worry-free and I create an image of the 'new clean' install with just the basics added so it's even easier to recover after I mess something up.

Tell me how you have your drives set up. Do you have the OS on the C:, programs on D:, and Docs on E: and then image those three on another HD?

 

[mjf]

I store nothing at all on the OS partition, it makes a clean install very worry-free and I create an image of the 'new clean' install with just the basics added so it's even easier to recover after I mess something up.

What about programs that live in ProgramFiles and ProgramFiles(x86).

I've made three words bold for you

Yes I can see the bold letters - what's your point???
My question was directed to the person who made the comment.

 

[pparks1]

If you used only one partition and made a system image to another HD you could restore just as easily couldn't you?

That is how I am setup. I've got an 80GB SSD for my system. Then, I have a 1TB storage drive on the box.

However, in situations where I don't have 2 physical drives...I always setup with a partition. This way I can reload or reimage the OS on C...without losing any of the data on D. And I don't have to take the time to make a backup of that date to an external drive.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Anything can be installed wherever you like and have the room for it, it doesn't have to be installed to the "Program Files ..." forders.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words ...

​

 

[gregrocker]

Windows Live Mesh sync program is so perfected now that it may be the best way to back up immediately your User files externally, to another HD, to other computers on your network or...

It will also allow you to sync to Sky Drive so that you have a file server in the sky which keeps your files sync'ed wherever you happen to be - even on computers spread around the world. Fantastic stuff - and FREE!

 

[mjf]

Anything can be installed wherever you like and have the room for it, it doesn't have to be installed to the "Program Files ..." forders.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words ...

View attachment 108984
View attachment 108985
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Now this is what I'm after elaboration on.
To cut down on the words I'll give a scenario.
I have Office and Photoshop installed in the "Programs" Partition/Disk.
(1) Can I update the OS, restore the OS from a earlier image independently of the "Programs" partition?
(2) Can I update the "Programs" partition independently of the OS partition?

I would have thought from a functionality and authentication/security perspective the two ("OS" and "Programs" partitions) are too closely linked.

 

[gregrocker]

This is why it is best to always keep Programs on the OS partition. A program writes keys to the registry that integrate it into the OS, so it should not have its files apart from the OS where an image might not restore the Program Files along with the OS.

If you've already done this, then be sure to always include the Programs partition with the image made of the OS partition.

 

[bigmck]

This is why it is best to always keep Programs on the OS partition. A program writes keys to the registry that integrate it into the OS, so it should not have its files apart from the OS where an image might not restore the Program Files along with the OS.

If you've already done this, then be sure to always include the Programs partition with the image made of the OS partition.

I appreciate everyone's help on this. I presently have my OS, Programs and Docs on my C: drive. Could someone point me to a Tutorial so I can put my docs on a separate partition. Thanks,

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello!



Have a look at this one for a start.

User Folders - Change Default Location

 

[bigmck]

Hello!



Have a look at this one for a start.

User Folders - Change Default Location

Thank you sir. Now let's see if I can do this without messing it up.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

My pleasure sir, you can do it, just take your time and read through before you start.