Partitioning the *rasta way*

rastagard · 03-20-2003, 03:12 PM

I have been in love with partitions ever since I got my first copy of Partition Magic 6 several years ago. I have since partitioned many new Hard Drives (they're getting so cheap these days) and feel that a well partitioned system is a happy system.

If you have ever had to reformat and reinstall your OS unexpectedly, you can appreciate the value of having your data segregated from your OS and program files. I can reformat my C:/ drive and not lose any data from my other partitions.

Essentially I have my computer broken down into partitions depending on the type of data. I have a partition for My Documents (all my "saved" files go in here as well as pics, etc.) Music ( I lost all my music once, had some backed up, but lost much of my Napster stuff) Downloads and a partition for SetUps. (this is where all of my program setup files go as well as new versions and updates ) My data is well organised and I know exactly (almost) right where to look for anything I need.

I really don't know of or used any other software other than Partition Magic but XP has a stripped down partition utility bundled with it. (at least XP Pro does) Partition Magic is a very user friendly yet powerful program. I can set up the partitions to suit my needs and enlarge or reduce them as the need arises. I do so on a regular basis.

Although I am by no means an expert, I will be happy to try and answer any questions regarding partitioning anybody might have as I think this is a very overlooked area.

I could never go back to flying by the seat of my pants with the contents of my entire computer bunched up and "unprotected" on a single partition.

**NUTNDUN** · 03-20-2003, 04:01 PM

Tha is definately a good tip rasta, may be one for the tips and tricks section

**jrwap** · 03-23-2003, 12:07 PM

It is my personal belief that having multiple partitions is not a good idea. If your drive fails, everthing is gone no matter how many partitions you have created. Having lots of partitions increases the odds of having a partition go bad and losing all data on that partition.

A better solution would be to have a second drive which you do backups to on a regular basis for important information. Anther good methiod is RAID 1 or 1+0. That way you have a mirror of your dirve being updated everysingle nanosecond!!!

I also believe that multiple partitions under the NTFS system will actually slow down the drives performance.... correct me if Im wrong here!!!

-JRW

rastagard · 03-23-2003, 12:58 PM

True if the HardDrive fails all data is lost regardless of the partitioning of that HDD.

But my point is, to have all the contents of your computer on a single partition makes you susceptable to: drive failure, partition failure and OS failure.

I think it can be well argued that partitioning can affect performance. But so can mirroring. I have had OS failures and I recently had a hard drive failure, my partition system saved all my data. I only had to restore my OS drive from a cloned copy I keep it backed up to. A very happy conclusion to a potentially disasterous occurence. So yes it is also adventageous to have seperate HDDs if possible. (I have 3-80 gig HDDs) AND keep yer sh!t backed tha ef up!!!!

Many backup proggys will only back up partitions. This can lead to a major chunk of data to try to back up at one time. My partitions allow me to back up my data in more managable pieces. A single DVD+RW will be sufficient to back up any of my partitions (except the C: drive which I clone to a backup HDD)whereas a single partition would be much more cumbersome to back up.

This is simply one strategy that I have employed to protect my data, which for me is my business and to a lesser degree my lifes possesions.

RipperRoo · 03-23-2003, 05:45 PM

Quote:

to have all the contents of your computer on a single partition makes you susceptable to: drive failure, partition failure and OS failure.

anyone runnig windows who keeps all their data on one drive is a MUG
apart from windows crashing and loosing all your data , you also have the odd selfinstalling or unwanted bit of software (such as gator) .
The easyest way to get rid of it is often a clean intall (I liked that program , time to look for a spy/addware free version),
and anyone fond of 30 day trials knows the easyest way to get your programs back is again a fresh install .

considering that it doesnt take long to deploy an image its a great way to keep your system running at top speed , and a good way of saving money registering all those 30 day trials

*TIP* Install all your programs and games ect , do a
DEFRAG Then take the image

~*LdY*LaFFs*~ · 03-31-2003, 08:05 PM

Ok, how magical is this Partition Magic??
HELP, please?

I'm thinking...

3 Partitions :
1) Keeping the HP recovery : D drive/existing partition (OEM installed/no CD; not backed up
2) New Partition for saved files/folders/programs..moving from C drive
3) XP clean install/operating sys to : C drive

Not gonna start this till I get it all together in my head. 'Cause if I go down, how will I get back here for ya'll to rescue??

rastagard · 03-31-2003, 08:32 PM

Partition Magic is a very simple, very powerful program.

It is not foolproof though.

I suggest that although PM is capable of doing all those operations at once, you walk through them one at a time and make sure you create a Restore Point.

I would start with creating the new partition. That is fairly cut and dry.You will have to manually move the folders and files from your other drive. PM will only move entire partitions.

If your recovery partition is already D:, then you probably can leave it that way.

This may be all you will need to do. An optional step might be reassigning drive letters. This is mainly for ease of use, I like having my HDD Partitions in sequence and my Removable Disk drives last. You can always do this at any time since PM has an utility called Drive Mapper which will go through the contents of your computer and correct all the references to any renamed drive.

You should read through the help section of PM as it is extremely well written, easy to use and will help you to understand all the processes involved.

:smilewink

go-baby-go · 04-01-2003, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ldylaffs
Ok, how magical is this Partition Magic??

I'm pretty much a novice computer user (I devote most of my time to my art programs). My PC started to act goofy when I filled my 20 gig HD, with about 10 gigs of jpg's & mp3's (slowdown & freezes).
Partition Magic is 'wicked simple’; it walks you through what you want 'it' to do. Then it goes into DOS and does it by it's self.
I put a 6 gig partition on my drive (it's full most of the time), and my computer runs 'faster & smoother' than it ever did without it! It boots way faster than it did before, as well

If you have important stuff on your HD you should back it up on disc anyway, although my system has never crashed with Partition Magic on it... (it freakin' did before, without it ..lots) In case you were wondering, I have 700 Pentium III processor. So I guess I'm wit Rasta

Hope this helps

~*LdY*LaFFs*~ · 04-01-2003, 11:56 AM

soooo much to backup... eek...ok ok...my bad ;;;blush;;;

120 GBs HD / 1/2 full....lots to move to that new partition, huh? oh boy...

03-20-2003, 03:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
rastagard Humble Idiot Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 2,271	Partitioning the rasta way I have been in love with partitions ever since I got my first copy of Partition Magic 6 several years ago. I have since partitioned many new Hard Drives (they're getting so cheap these days) and feel that a well partitioned system is a happy system. If you have ever had to reformat and reinstall your OS unexpectedly, you can appreciate the value of having your data segregated from your OS and program files. I can reformat my C:/ drive and not lose any data from my other partitions. Essentially I have my computer broken down into partitions depending on the type of data. I have a partition for My Documents (all my "saved" files go in here as well as pics, etc.) Music ( I lost all my music once, had some backed up, but lost much of my Napster stuff) Downloads and a partition for SetUps. (this is where all of my program setup files go as well as new versions and updates ) My data is well organised and I know exactly (almost) right where to look for anything I need. I really don't know of or used any other software other than Partition Magic but XP has a stripped down partition utility bundled with it. (at least XP Pro does) Partition Magic is a very user friendly yet powerful program. I can set up the partitions to suit my needs and enlarge or reduce them as the need arises. I do so on a regular basis. Although I am by no means an expert, I will be happy to try and answer any questions regarding partitioning anybody might have as I think this is a very overlooked area. I could never go back to flying by the seat of my pants with the contents of my entire computer bunched up and "unprotected" on a single partition.

03-20-2003, 04:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
NUTNDUN Registered Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: PA Posts: 1,465	Tha is definately a good tip rasta, may be one for the tips and tricks section __________________

03-31-2003, 08:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
~LdYLaFFs*~ MIA Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: HeRe N TheRe Posts: 2,002	Ok, how magical is this Partition Magic?? HELP, please? I'm thinking... 3 Partitions : 1) Keeping the HP recovery : D drive/existing partition (OEM installed/no CD; not backed up 2) New Partition for saved files/folders/programs..moving from C drive 3) XP clean install/operating sys to : C drive Not gonna start this till I get it all together in my head. 'Cause if I go down, how will I get back here for ya'll to rescue?? __________________ When I've been asked why I like computers.. My answer has been, "Because it's potential is infinite." I must be wearing down 'cause now I seem to be counting the infinite headaches!

04-01-2003, 11:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
~LdYLaFFs*~ MIA Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: HeRe N TheRe Posts: 2,002	soooo much to backup... eek...ok ok...my bad ;;;blush;;; 120 GBs HD / 1/2 full....lots to move to that new partition, huh? oh boy... __________________ When I've been asked why I like computers.. My answer has been, "Because it's potential is infinite." I must be wearing down 'cause now I seem to be counting the infinite headaches!

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03-23-2003, 12:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
jrwap Admin Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Gorham Me Posts: 242	It is my personal belief that having multiple partitions is not a good idea. If your drive fails, everthing is gone no matter how many partitions you have created. Having lots of partitions increases the odds of having a partition go bad and losing all data on that partition. A better solution would be to have a second drive which you do backups to on a regular basis for important information. Anther good methiod is RAID 1 or 1+0. That way you have a mirror of your dirve being updated everysingle nanosecond!!! I also believe that multiple partitions under the NTFS system will actually slow down the drives performance.... correct me if Im wrong here!!! -JRW

03-23-2003, 12:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
rastagard Humble Idiot Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 2,271	True if the HardDrive fails all data is lost regardless of the partitioning of that HDD. But my point is, to have all the contents of your computer on a single partition makes you susceptable to: drive failure, partition failure and OS failure. I think it can be well argued that partitioning can affect performance. But so can mirroring. I have had OS failures and I recently had a hard drive failure, my partition system saved all my data. I only had to restore my OS drive from a cloned copy I keep it backed up to. A very happy conclusion to a potentially disasterous occurence. So yes it is also adventageous to have seperate HDDs if possible. (I have 3-80 gig HDDs) AND keep yer sh!t backed tha ef up!!!! Many backup proggys will only back up partitions. This can lead to a major chunk of data to try to back up at one time. My partitions allow me to back up my data in more managable pieces. A single DVD+RW will be sufficient to back up any of my partitions (except the C: drive which I clone to a backup HDD)whereas a single partition would be much more cumbersome to back up. This is simply one strategy that I have employed to protect my data, which for me is my business and to a lesser degree my lifes possesions.

03-31-2003, 08:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
rastagard Humble Idiot Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 2,271	Partition Magic is a very simple, very powerful program. It is not foolproof though. I suggest that although PM is capable of doing all those operations at once, you walk through them one at a time and make sure you create a Restore Point. I would start with creating the new partition. That is fairly cut and dry.You will have to manually move the folders and files from your other drive. PM will only move entire partitions. If your recovery partition is already D:, then you probably can leave it that way. This may be all you will need to do. An optional step might be reassigning drive letters. This is mainly for ease of use, I like having my HDD Partitions in sequence and my Removable Disk drives last. You can always do this at any time since PM has an utility called Drive Mapper which will go through the contents of your computer and correct all the references to any renamed drive. You should read through the help section of PM as it is extremely well written, easy to use and will help you to understand all the processes involved. :smilewink