I've built and rebuilt several computers, but usually my build is a simple, one-hard-disk storage unit, with no partitions and no disk management. My new computer will be a multi-hard-disk rig, built with "a need for speed." So it was important to learn about high-tier computer science. Luckily, we have a wealth of information available right here in the MKN Forum. Before continuing, however, please heed my warning: MKN is not responsible for any damage or loss of data on your computer if you attempt use this advice on your own computer build. Each computer is different with regard to component/software/version combinations. Therefore, there is no magic bullet to ensure a trouble-free computer build. For me, that's a part of the draw - the Unknown aspect, that "Frankenstein moment" when you hit the power button and you wait for the logon screen.

Kenyada: I'm going to partition my Boot drive, a 150GB Raptor.
I'm getting the mechanics, little-by-little. What I need now is the reasoning behind it.

C: Drive will be partitioned for the OS. Then I add a primary partition, D: for the Applications (Programs). Then I create an Extended partition from the unallocated space, and then a Logical partition inside that for my data.

Question: With a 150GB Raptor, how big should I make each of the partitions? and why?

 

Glenn: Since TOP is the originator of the discussion on partitioning, I'll await this response , in the meantime, what are you going to do with the 2nd 150GB Raptor? PLUS you have the other big capacity HD's are you going to incorporate them into your new Monster Machine ? lol

Kenyada: Well, I have three 150GB Raptors. One for the boot drive, and the other two will be joined in a RAID 0 for data. The external will be for the backups. I've started learning more about partitioning. It's great. And I used to think TOP was crazy when he talked about all that high echelon computer building. Now? Well, I still think he's crazy, but at least now I know there's a method to his madness

Top Jazz: Partitioning 101

Partitioning a hard drive isn’t really all that complicated once you know the basics of it. There are three basic types of partitions and they are:

The Primary Partition – You can have as many as 4 of these, depending on your drive and partition size requirements (24 to a system). It’s a stand-alone partition and ‘primary’ basically means there are no other related partitions associated with it. By and large, partition types for a given drive are optional. However Operating systems should always go on a primary partition. Programs and files don’t care.

The Extended Partition – This partition is more-or-less a holding space for other partitions. Use this if you want more than 4 more additional partitions on a drive.

The Logical Drive (Partition) – These are the Partitions that you create within Extended Partitions.

Ok, let’s take a couple of scenarios.

Scenario #1 – This really is the easiest way. You just put in your new Windows CD (DVD for Vista) for a new install, and after it does its checks and agreement routine, it prompts you to tell it where you want to put Windows. On the same screen, it also gives you the option to create or delete partitions. If all your drives are new, then they’ll all (3 in your case Richard) show up as unallocated space. In this case you don’t have to worry about whether you’re creating Primary, Extended, etc; you just follow the directions on the list for creating a drive and type in the size for that drive. You’ll then be returned to the list where your selected space is now “Allocated”. The rest is still “Unallocated, where you can continue to create more drives the same way you did the first time, until you run out of unallocated space on that drive. Do the same for each drive in your system. Just to note: You will have a small unallocated space for each physical hard drive at the end of partitioning. Don’t worry about it and don’t try to do anything with it. This is where your drive information is kept (partitions, formatting, etc). It will usually be equal to the size of the cache on your drive (4, 8 or 16MB) – hint, hint. You won’t see this space in Windows, as it doesn’t show unallocated space. When you’re done creating all your partitions, you can then designate the drive where you want Windows to be installed.

Scenario #2 – You have Windows up and running and you want to partition a new drive. There’s the Fdisk command at the command prompt but that’s a little more involved. There’s an easier way. You open the Control Panel - Administrative Tools – Computer Management – Storage – Disk Management. This is the only way to see unallocated disk space in Windows. All your drives and their partitions will come up in all their glory. You’ll also see drives with unallocated space. So then:

1. Just right-click a space and if it’s unallocated, the drop-down menu will have an option for a new partition. (If it is allocated, you’ll have to delete it before resuming further and making any changes. Deleting a partition simply reregisters it as unallocated space. And since Widows doesn’t show unallocated space in My Computer, then for all intents and purposes, it’s deleted.)

2. Select “New Partition” and the new Partition wizard comes up. Select Next.

3. Select Primary or Extended. Always primary for your operating system. Select Next.

4. Type in how much space you want to allocate for this partition. Select Next.

5. Choose a drive letter or let it ride on the default letter given. Select Next.

6. Choose a file system (NTFS is default – no le’ touch!). Select allocation unit size (Advanced option I’ll only touch on if asked – no le’ touch!). By all means, give your new volume a name. Very important with multiple partitions. And essential if you’re really planning to get your files, programs and/or Operating Systems organized. Select Next.

7. The wizard informs you that it has all the necessary information it needs to create your partition. Select Finish. Windows begins to format your new partition. At the end of formatting, your new partition will be ready for use.

Ok lets back up for a sec. In scenario #2, the instructions run true if you’re doing a primary partition, but there’s a little something you should know about choosing the extended option.

1. After creating your extended partition, remember you aren’t going to actually use this partition per say.

2. You’ll only go through steps 1 – 4 before finishing, after which you will then right-click your new extended partition and select to create logical drives within it.

3. Each logical drive will be formatted after being created just like the primary and will then be ready for use.

4. Continue to create logical drives until all the space in the extended is used up.

Ok guys let’s talk shop. Glenn can you imagine three Raptors? For me that would be three operating systems. I would put one OS on each of the first partitions of each Raptor (50GB primary partitions). The rest of the drives I’d set up as extendeds with 2 50GB logical in each – one logical for programs for the residing OS and the other to float until I decided on a use for them. That would leave 3 50GB partitions open. There's not enough room for a movie backup partition. I currently have three on my system. I did have 4 but then one got repartitioned for Vista. I have 2 80GB partitions for newer and frequent use movies (kid’s backups) and a 130GB drive for archive storage. That’s just an example of course and you guys have already seen my other post with alternate designations.

In all, I have about 850GB on my system and about 16 partitions. I have 4 operating systems, each with its own drive and office drive for all the programs that run on it. My wife's has about 370GB on hers and 3 operating systems. I allocated 30GB for XP32 and she still has 20GB left as free space on that partition. All her programs are on her office drive which take up about 5GB.

Richard, ultimately 50 GB should be way more than enough for any OS and maybe a couple of programs. With this new scheme, when you get to that point where a program wants to know where you want it to be installed or you have the option to make a change, you’ll be changing the c:\Programs Files to d:\Programs Files. As for how much space on the rest of your partitions, you’ll have to look at how much space you’re currently taking up with what you plan to use various partitions for. Highlight all your music folders, then right-click to properties and see how much space it takes up. You can just double that amount and allocate that much space as a music drive for example.

Let me know how that goes.

Kenyada: WOW!! Excellent, TOP. I've printed it out and inserted at the front of a Partitioning reference I've been collecting. You have really helped a lot in the understanding of the thinking behind the procedure.

Question: With all of your partitions and Drive letters, what do you delegate for your optical drives? It's been suggested that "X" and "Y" be reserved for two DVD/CD Drives. Would that present a problem?

TOP JAZZ:

Kenyada:  I'm not sure I'm gonna jump onto the Vista bandwagon before SP2. My first experience with XP64 was a fresh install on a new build, and I will do the same for my current build. Perhaps by next Fall I'll take a chance on Vista. OR... I'll wait until you say it's safe