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2008-06-10 20:13:08
r2zoo
Knowledge is power, guard it well
+126|6866|Michigan, USA
I plan on getting a 500GB hardrive for my main drive.  Currently Im running an 80GB, partitioned in one large Drive.  I also have several backup drives.  However, I do format frequently, every few months or so.  While not a problem when I only have 80GB of data, on a 500GB, a single partition will mean alot of lost data everytime I reformat.

Alright, simple question is as follows. 
Whats the best way to split it up?  Im thinking of splitting the windows installation on its own, then a programs/data partition.  However Im worried a bit about performence.  Will there be a noticable slowdown without the programs being on the same partiton as windows?  Plan on about 50GB for windows+Drivers/programs requiring to be on the C: drive, and the rest for programs/data.

Normally wouldn't be an issue, but on a large drive, I cant afford to spend 2 days reinstalling 500GB worth of programs and the such after a format.

Thanks for any help.
2008-06-10 20:39:38
**LiLp-DeFiNeD
Banned
+54|6425|Vancouver, BC, Canada
I also have 500GB,

and the way I have it set up,

100(well, 99) GB for windows and all apps

~370 for all my (bought) game ISO's and downloaded TC Shows(as one wise person once put it, I pay for the cable TV, so why can;t I download those same shows, same as a TiVo)

Then(not always, depends) I have about 30GB for a second OS if I'm trying something out.

If/when I reformat(Yesterday night **rolls eyes**) I just drag anything important out of My Documents, off my desktop, find all my game saves.

I toss them in a "New Folder" on the "Stuff" drive, reformat, then redistribute everything while I still remember the locations.

So far, I haven't lost anything too crucial,

Only problem is that my Stuff folder is becoming very messy, and I really don't feel like organizing it So yeah, if you do this approach, try your best to keep your stuff folder clean, it really gets you up the ass 3/4s of a year later when you have to organize it all.

Another suggestion(that I don't currently use, but used to) would be to get either Google desktop or some other Indexing computer searcher, it helps when you have ~370GB of stuff to search through.
2008-06-10 20:57:06
Defiance
Member
+438|6941

As far as performance you won't see a difference unless you're stacking drives on one channel. However, if you're investing in a 500GB I imagine it's SATA.

However you want to set it up is up to you. I like the seperate Windows Partition, it's how I run mine. I recommend a Windows Partition, another for games (games only, leave apps on the windows partition. Apps aren't worth the trouble they cause on seperate partitions). From there set up a large amount for Backup and keep it organized easily with as many folders as you feel are worth it. Then I'd set up 100GB or so for "experimentation."
2008-06-10 21:05:02
**LiLp-DeFiNeD
Banned
+54|6425|Vancouver, BC, Canada
I used to put apps and the like on a separate partition as well, but when you think about it,
there really is no point,

After you delete everything windows(reformat) it gets rid of the registry, all system files, etc.

So yeah, you could try to salvage the apps and try to recreate all the links, but I can almost guarantee, it'd take longer than it would to just redownload/install them, PLUS, you get the most up to date version.

Having reformated yesterday, I used to have 3 start menu rows, 24 hours after the reformat, I already have 2 of them filled with essentials, it really doesn't take that long.
2008-06-10 21:22:56
r2zoo
Knowledge is power, guard it well
+126|6866|Michigan, USA

Defiance wrote:

As far as performance you won't see a difference unless you're stacking drives on one channel. However, if you're investing in a 500GB I imagine it's SATA.

However you want to set it up is up to you. I like the seperate Windows Partition, it's how I run mine. I recommend a Windows Partition, another for games (games only, leave apps on the windows partition. Apps aren't worth the trouble they cause on seperate partitions). From there set up a large amount for Backup and keep it organized easily with as many folders as you feel are worth it. Then I'd set up 100GB or so for "experimentation."
Correct it Will be SATA

**LiLp-DeFiNeD wrote:

I used to put apps and the like on a separate partition as well, but when you think about it,
there really is no point,

After you delete everything windows(reformat) it gets rid of the registry, all system files, etc.

So yeah, you could try to salvage the apps and try to recreate all the links, but I can almost guarantee, it'd take longer than it would to just redownload/install them, PLUS, you get the most up to date version.

Having reformated yesterday, I used to have 3 start menu rows, 24 hours after the reformat, I already have 2 of them filled with essentials, it really doesn't take that long.
Right now I got a couple games installed on my backup drives, because there is no space for them on my main.  I havent had any trouble getting them running the proper way after a format, but the regisry thing was something I was thinking would screw it up.  Its not really a matter of storage(my backups have been doing fine) but currently 80% of my 80GB is games with a large amount i cant install due to space restrictions.

Thing is, i dont want to have to reinstall everything constantly, but I dont see a option to do otherwise.  Thanks for the help guys, Karma all around.
2008-06-10 21:32:09
**LiLp-DeFiNeD
Banned
+54|6425|Vancouver, BC, Canada
One other thing I'm also looking into(but haven't had the ovaries) to do yet is to use nLite to define a static my documents folder on my Stuff drive.

It's possible in the config, my only problem with it is the fact that I currently have like 10 different XP discs floating around, all with different nLite configs, different settings etc, and one thing that I should(but don't) do is put a /txt file on each one specifying the modifications.

So if I were to make a disc like this, it would either a) get lost in my stack or b) get "broken" because I decide to change the drive letter of my stuff drive(it HAS to be hardcoded in )

 

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