What is a good partitioning scheme?

[schmity]

Newbie Here.

What would be a good partitioning scheme for a Windows XP machine (no dual boot linux, etc). I have a 140 gig HD. I do lots of photography and I was thinking of devoting a partition to pictures.

Here is my rough idea?

5 gigs for windows and programs
50 gigs for users
80 gigs for pictures

Thanks

[freakitchen]

I prefer to have a simple operating system / data split. You'll want more than 5GB for Windows and Programs, windows itself with service pack 2 pushes 4GBs i believe.

With a 140 GB drive, I'd have 30GB for Windows and Programs, and the remaining 110GB for your data.

FK

[not important]

I use about 20G for OS and 20G for files and whatever is left on Storage.

[schmity]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen I prefer to have a simple operating system / data split. You'll want more than 5GB for Windows and Programs, windows itself with service pack 2 pushes 4GBs i believe. With a 140 GB drive, I'd have 30GB for Windows and Programs, and the remaining 110GB for your data. FK

Is it possible to fix windows so that folders like "My Documents, My Pictures, etc" are not on the OS partition?

And, Ive already set my OS partition at 5GB and installed XP. The remaining 135GB is not formatted. Can I enlarge the OS partition without removing XP?

Also, I am assuming that when you say operating system you are including programs such as Office, Photoshop, etc.

[freakitchen]

To move the 'my documents' folder, right click on it, and then change the target to your secondary partition (obviously you'll have to have formatted the second partition before doing this!)

You can resize the operating system partition, but you'll need a third party program - such as Norton Partition Magic or Acronis Disc Director.

You might be able to get away without doing this if you're careful about how you manage that 5 GB. You'll need to move your documents, and install programs on another partition, and it would probably be a good idea to move your swap space to another partition. Have a look at this article for some info on this one.

http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm

FK

[schmity]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen You might be able to get away without doing this if you're careful about how you manage that 5 GB. You'll need to move your documents, and install programs on another partition, and it would probably be a good idea to move your swap space to another partition. Have a look at this article for some info on this one. http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm FK

Is there an advantage to installing programs on a different partition? Looks like if you had to wipe out windows you would have to refresh all of the programs.

[glc]

I feel there is no advantage to installing programs on a separate partition. It can be a management headache.

[schmity]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen You might be able to get away without doing this if you're careful about how you manage that 5 GB. You'll need to move your documents, and install programs on another partition, and it would probably be a good idea to move your swap space to another partition. Have a look at this article for some info on this one. http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm FK

One more question. Is there an advantage to having a swap or page file partition?

[freakitchen]

I've read that there is a minimal speed gain to be had by doing this, however, it takes quite a bit of setting up, and the only reason I suggested it was so you could fit XP on that 5GB partition with room to spare. I personally haven't gone to the trouble of doing it.

FK