Windows 7 Ultimatex64 Partition Design Question

[KevinZen]

Hi guys, this seems like a great forum! I'm hoping that you can give me hand setting up a good partition design for my machine. First of all here are my system specs:

Asus Zenbook: UX32A-DH31-CA
i3-3217U
4GB DDR3 SDRAM
24GB SSD
500GB HD 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive

The machine shipped with Windows 8 and I decided to downgrade. Last night I reinstalled Windows 7 Ultimatex64 after following the instructions on the Windows 8 forum: Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7

This was successful, but I would to configure the machine differently and would like to get some advice if what I have in mind is a good idea.

Currently the machine has Windows 7 loaded on to the SSD, C:. The System Reserved partition is on the HD (designated as Z: ), and the remainder of the HD is NTFS formatted and partitioned as D:

What I am thinking of doing is this:
I would like to do is partition my SSD into 2 partitions, 1 for the OS and 1 for the System Reserve. It's my understanding that this will speed up boot times? The only subsequent programs I would install on the SSD is Windows Office 2010.

For the HD I would like to create 2 partitions:
1 for programs and 1 for data.

Does this seem like a good idea? What step am I missing after I clear my drives to get the System Reserve files to install on to the SSD? - It automatically created the partition on my HD last night. Does installing Office 2010 on the SSD make sense, or should I just keep all of my programs on the D: as space on my SSD is so tight for this install?

Lastly, how do I change my default temp directory in Windows from C: to D:?

Thanks for your help,
Kevin

 

[gregrocker]

That 24gb SSD is for a page file cache to speed up the HD. However we have had cases here where we helped users install WIn7 onto it.Nevertheless it is seriously limited since Programs benefit most from SSD speed and how many can you fit on the head of a pin?

If you want to try then I'd get rid of the System Reserved partition so boot relies only on the SSD speed. Post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk mgmt drive map with listings, using Snipping Tool in Start menu.

Then I'd install your most important programs to C and the rest along with the data to D. Copy User folders to D then rightclick each to link to related Library - Include a Folder leaving the emptied C folder so you can see anything that lands in it and drag to D.

 

[KevinZen]

Thanks for the advice. I've got it set up now after a bit of a fiasco - select disk 2, clear. So much for the usb boot . I'm heading off traveling tomorrow and was rushing things.

Anyways, I've got it sorted and have changed environment variables for temp directories and regedits for program install defaults set to the D:.

I'm going to leave the System Reserved partition alone for now as time is not on my side, but everything seems tickity boo for now. I'll revisit this bit again in a couple of weeks.

Thanks again!

 

[gregrocker]

It is not correct to have the System Reserved partition on another HD, and counterproductive to having an SSD to have its boot files on the slower HD. This is why I asked for a screenshot of your Disk Mgmt so I can give you the simple steps to move it. If it didn't think it needed moving, I wouldn't have asked.

Why would you ask for our help if you intend to ignore it? We deal with countless thousands of these. If you're out of time then come back to the thread when you return.