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#1
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partitioning HDD into several disks ??
Hi there,
I built a gaming PC. Someone told me that I should partition the 160 GB hard drive into several disks. They said I should install operational system (OS) into the first disk, and install the games in to the second disk. In doing this way, I would be able to format the first disk and reinstall the OS, while keeping all the game programs on the second disk. I would not need to reinstall them. Is this correct ? I decided to partition the hard drive into two disks. I installed the OS into the first disk, and also installed all the games into the first disk. If I want to re-format the first disk (e.g. so that I could reinstall the OS), I could always move the game files onto the second disk, and after the OS reinstalling, move the files back. Is this correct ? Maybe there is a better way to partition the hard drive and install the programs ? Thanks. |
#2
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partitioning HDD into several disks ??
"Beladi Nasralla" wrote in message oups.com... Hi there, I built a gaming PC. Someone told me that I should partition the 160 GB hard drive into several disks. They said I should install operational system (OS) into the first disk, and install the games in to the second disk. In doing this way, I would be able to format the first disk and reinstall the OS, while keeping all the game programs on the second disk. I would not need to reinstall them. Is this correct ? No. When you format and reinstall the OS you lose the registry entries for the games and would still have to reinstall them. Many games store all your settings and saved games so when you reinstall them you will still have those, but that is iffy too. I decided to partition the hard drive into two disks. I installed the OS into the first disk, and also installed all the games into the first disk. If I want to re-format the first disk (e.g. so that I could reinstall the OS), I could always move the game files onto the second disk, and after the OS reinstalling, move the files back. Is this correct ? Same as above......... Maybe there is a better way to partition the hard drive and install the programs ? Thanks. Partitioning is useful as an organizing tool just to keep things orderly IMO. If you have music or video that you want to keep, you can keep those without losing them with a format and reinstall. Just remember that it is NOT a backup if it is on the same physical drive. Drive failure takes out all partitions. Critical files should be backed up in at least two other places to be safe. I back up to my home file server and to CD/DVD. Ed |
#3
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partitioning HDD into several disks ??
Beladi Nasralla wrote:
Hi there, Lo there, I built a gaming PC. Someone told me that I should partition the 160 GB hard drive into several disks. They said I should install operational system (OS) into the first disk, and install the games in to the second disk. In doing this way, I would be able to format the first disk and reinstall the OS, while keeping all the game programs on the second disk. I would not need to reinstall them. Is this correct ? Not exactly. Nowadays some games keep lots of information in your Windows area. There are other potential problems too. I decided to partition the hard drive into two disks. I installed the OS into the first disk, and also installed all the games into the first disk. If I want to re-format the first disk (e.g. so that I could reinstall the OS), I could always move the game files onto the second disk, and after the OS reinstalling, move the files back. Is this correct ? The only thing I use an Outland partitioned for is for keeping data, my personal files, the stuff that is copied to removable media for safekeeping. Maybe there is a better way to partition the hard drive and install the programs ? Thanks. I'm a gamer using a 37 GB 10,000 rpm Raptor. If you can handle using only 80 GB, the best way is to make a copy of the whole thing, or even make two copies. Reinstalling Windows nowadays is a hassle. Having a hidden backup copy of Windows is a marvelous tool. It's not beginner stuff, but if you can learn it, it makes a world of difference when installing Windows, and for troubleshooting software and hardware. Skillfully using Partition Manager or PartitionMagic, you can make a complete copy of your Windows partition (including Windows and programs/games). And usually you can shrink those copies after you get stuffed the way you want it, to make more room for your visible/working partition. Good luck and have fun. |
#4
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partitioning HDD into several disks ??
On Jul 15, 10:08 am, John Doe wrote:
Beladi Nasralla wrote: Hi there, Lo there, I built a gaming PC. Someone told me that I should partition the 160 GB hard drive into several disks. They said I should install operational system (OS) into the first disk, and install the games in to the second disk. In doing this way, I would be able to format the first disk and reinstall the OS, while keeping all the game programs on the second disk. I would not need to reinstall them. Is this correct ? Not exactly. Nowadays some games keep lots of information in your Windows area. There are other potential problems too. I decided to partition the hard drive into two disks. I installed the OS into the first disk, and also installed all the games into the first disk. If I want to re-format the first disk (e.g. so that I could reinstall the OS), I could always move the game files onto the second disk, and after the OS reinstalling, move the files back. Is this correct ? The only thing I use an Outland partitioned for is for keeping data, my personal files, the stuff that is copied to removable media for safekeeping. Maybe there is a better way to partition the hard drive and install the programs ? Thanks. I'm a gamer using a 37 GB 10,000 rpm Raptor. If you can handle using only 80 GB, the best way is to make a copy of the whole thing, or even make two copies. Reinstalling Windows nowadays is a hassle. Having a hidden backup copy of Windows is a marvelous tool. It's not beginner stuff, but if you can learn it, it makes a world of difference when installing Windows, and for troubleshooting software and hardware. Skillfully using Partition Manager or PartitionMagic, you can make a complete copy of your Windows partition (including Windows and programs/games). And usually you can shrink those copies after you get stuffed the way you want it, to make more room for your visible/working partition. Good luck and have fun. Very good advice indeed. However, I would suggest using Acronis True Image software. I'm not inferring that PartitionMagic or Manager is bad software, it's just that I happen to really love Acronis and haven't used the aforementioned. Unlike what the previous advice suggests, it is relatively easy to use even for an advanced beginner. I have used this program about 10 times to back-up and restore both XP and Vista. Everytime I used this product, it ran seemlessly. Concerning where to put your games, I think that is more a personal preference. It only makes sense to me that they are thrown in the first partition with your OS. If anything goes haywire, then just re- install your back-up image instead of the hassle of a full OS re- install. Of course, you would have to keep up-to-date images of your partition to keep all your game settings, but a weekly image recording is a small price to pay considering the alternative. Literally takes minutes. I would suggest having a separate drive for back-ups that isn't running everytime you boot-up. I keep mine in a protective box, in its anti-static bag, sealed zip-lock and tucked away in my dresser drawer of my relatively constantly air conditioned room (live in the tropics). Furthermore, I would strongly discourage you from using Norton Ghost, at least the 10.0 version. I have a raided system as well, and tried to restore my Norton image back-up with no success at all. It was a long time ago, but I think it was a RAID issue. Believe me, I had the latest drivers, so that wasn't the problem. Good-luck and let us know how it goes, Michael J. Lederer |
#5
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partitioning HDD into several disks ??
On Jul 15, 7:07 pm, wrote:
On Jul 15, 10:08 am, John Doe wrote: Beladi Nasralla wrote: Hi there, Lo there, I built a gaming PC. Someone told me that I should partition the 160 GB hard drive into several disks. They said I should install operational system (OS) into the first disk, and install the games in to the second disk. In doing this way, I would be able to format the first disk and reinstall the OS, while keeping all the game programs on the second disk. I would not need to reinstall them. Is this correct ? Not exactly. Nowadays some games keep lots of information in your Windows area. There are other potential problems too. I decided to partition the hard drive into two disks. I installed the OS into the first disk, and also installed all the games into the first disk. If I want to re-format the first disk (e.g. so that I could reinstall the OS), I could always move the game files onto the second disk, and after the OS reinstalling, move the files back. Is this correct ? The only thing I use an Outland partitioned for is for keeping data, my personal files, the stuff that is copied to removable media for safekeeping. Maybe there is a better way to partition the hard drive and install the programs ? Thanks. I'm a gamer using a 37 GB 10,000 rpm Raptor. If you can handle using only 80 GB, the best way is to make a copy of the whole thing, or even make two copies. Reinstalling Windows nowadays is a hassle. Having a hidden backup copy of Windows is a marvelous tool. It's not beginner stuff, but if you can learn it, it makes a world of difference when installing Windows, and for troubleshooting software and hardware. Skillfully using Partition Manager or PartitionMagic, you can make a complete copy of your Windows partition (including Windows and programs/games). And usually you can shrink those copies after you get stuffed the way you want it, to make more room for your visible/working partition. Good luck and have fun. Very good advice indeed. However, I would suggest using Acronis True Image software. I'm not inferring that PartitionMagic or Manager is bad software, it's just that I happen to really love Acronis and haven't used the aforementioned. Unlike what the previous advice suggests, it is relatively easy to use even for an advanced beginner. I have used this program about 10 times to back-up and restore both XP and Vista. Everytime I used this product, it ran seemlessly. Concerning where to put your games, I think that is more a personal preference. It only makes sense to me that they are thrown in the first partition with your OS. If anything goes haywire, then just re- install your back-up image instead of the hassle of a full OS re- install. Of course, you would have to keep up-to-date images of your partition to keep all your game settings, but a weekly image recording is a small price to pay considering the alternative. Literally takes minutes. I would suggest having a separate drive for back-ups that isn't running everytime you boot-up. I keep mine in a protective box, in its anti-static bag, sealed zip-lock and tucked away in my dresser drawer of my relatively constantly air conditioned room (live in the tropics). Furthermore, I would strongly discourage you from using Norton Ghost, at least the 10.0 version. I have a raided system as well, and tried to restore my Norton image back-up with no success at all. It was a long time ago, but I think it was a RAID issue. Believe me, I had the latest drivers, so that wasn't the problem. Good-luck and let us know how it goes, Michael J. Lederer Sorry DK, I hadn't noticed that you mentioned Acronis in your post. Acronis True Image rocks!!! |
#6
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partitioning HDD into several disks ??
Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions. I have one more question. If I
go to the Device Manager, then I see that the hard drive (Seagate ST3160815AS) and the DVD/CD-RW (Samsung) drive have the generic Windows drivers installed. Should I install the drivers specific for those drives from the manufacturer ? I made a search on the Internet, and I could not find any relevant drivers for downloading. I became doubting that they exist (or people just do not need them), hence is my question. Thanks. |
#7
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partitioning HDD into several disks ??
"Beladi Nasralla" wrote in message ups.com... Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions. I have one more question. If I go to the Device Manager, then I see that the hard drive (Seagate ST3160815AS) and the DVD/CD-RW (Samsung) drive have the generic Windows drivers installed. Should I install the drivers specific for those drives from the manufacturer ? I made a search on the Internet, and I could not find any relevant drivers for downloading. I became doubting that they exist (or people just do not need them), hence is my question. Thanks. The important drivers to install are those for your chipset. Optical drives and properly formatted HDDs are recognized by Windows from the bios without the need for any special drivers. Ed |
#8
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partitioning HDD into several disks ??
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