Partitioning my hard drive?

Question

I was told i could create 3 partitions for my hard drive (250 GB).
the 1st one, just to install programs (about 5GB) ;

the 2nd one, to store all your files and folders (the majority of the space);

and the 3rd one (roughly 1 GB or less), as a 'rough' paper for your cd-roms,dvd-roms,cd/dvd-writer/readers to scribble on while processing stuff..

My question is how can I install computer programs in one partition, and then get it to install all of its other storage-consuming files in my other partition?
For example, when i install Windows XP in the 'Programs' partition, how do i get the My Documents to install into the 'Storage' partition?
Or could it be i have confused myself?

Answer 1

I agree with Lwcomputing's answer for moving the My Documents folder, but you don't need something like 20 gigs or more for your partition that contains \Windows and \Program Files.

I have a 6 gig Windows partition with a page file size set permanently to 1.2 gig.
Every other program for games, my programming stuff, applications, and data go elsewhere. One of my partitions has a folder called, 'Programs' which is used for Windows applications that usually go in the 'Program Files' folder. I'd say no more than 10 gigs should be fine for your Windows partition.
Just remember that every new app or add-on software for your drivers should go in another partition.

I guess you're like me and want to make a few partitions so that its easier & faster for defragmenting the hard drive, right? I have 2 drives and 5 partitions. I have a small partition set aside for temporary files, like the stuff in the My Documents folder...I don't really have to worry about defragging that partition. :)
I also have 1 large partition set aside for large, static files (files that don't change) such as video clips.

New:
Lwcomputing ~
The only reason I've made the extra partitions is for faster defragging. Remember, for proper defragmentation under XP, you have to do an offline and an online defragmentation. I've set my page file size so it remains at a static size (doesn't grow), so it doesn't get fragmented. The Windows partion needs the offline defragmentation, the other partitions don't need it, unless there are system files on them.

Even if you move the My Documents folder and set all your programs to use a partition for temporary files, the Windows partition gets fragmented pretty easily. This is especially due to the number of programs (almost all of them) which write settings to the registry - which is just plain stupid from a defragmentation and programming point of view. As for easier re-installation, well I've never had to bother with re-installing a complete application (not including drivers) or parts of one, such as a .dll file. If the registry settings were corrupted, I just use System Restore.
The biggest weakness in Windows is the stupid registry. Anyway, even if I ever have to re-install a whole program, it's no big deal.

Answer 2

Don't know who told you to partition that way, but I disagree.

Yes, you should partition the hard drive, but 5GB for Windows and programs is WAY too little. I would suggest 20-50 GB. The exact size depends on what you do with the computer.

As for moving the My Documents folder and other data folders, that's relatively easy - just install the TweakUI Power Toy from Microsoft and you can easily adjust the location.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Exactly how many partitions you have is really up to you... Personally, I would consider this a good breakdown for most people with a 250 GB drive:
C: 40 GB (Operating System and programs)
D: 200 GB (Your data and files you would otherwise want backed up)
E: 10 GB (Temp stuff, cd/DVD burning staging area


---------------------------
EDIT - to Balk

Why do you put programs on another drive? That's rather pointless in most cases. Programs need to be reinstalled and can't typically be easily restored. I have never seen a point in putting programs on a different partition unless you're multi-booting - then it can make sense.

EDIT - to Balk (part 2)
While there are aspects of Windows that can get fragmented (such as the registry), in all the systems I've used and built, and otherwise worked on, I've never seen (to the best of my memory) an instance where I had to do an offline defrag. In part, this is why I said how many partitions you use is up to you... For example, to keep the pagefile from fragmenting, you could just create a partition for it (A small 4 GB partition to cover the max size of the pagefile under normal circumstances).

Answer 3

If you haven't done so already, you need to partition your hard drive first. There are some free, but mostly commercial programs to do this (like Partition Magic).

You're going to need more than 5 GB on your first partition. installing word, photoshop, games can easily add 5GB to your hard drive. I'd suggest at least 10, but I'd use 20GB (you've got 250GB buddy!).

You can also put your second and third partition together, especially since some program don't need to use space to create image when writing cds and dvds. You can also delete their temp images once you're done burning.

To set all of this up, you have to change the settings of each program to save your files to D: drive, the 2nd partition. Each program is different, so you have to look at each one specifically. I believe you can drage your My Documents folder to D: and windows with make all the necessary changes for you. I think wikipedia has some guides on this stuff, if not try googling it.

Answer 4

Partition 1 = C: drive. Partition 2 = D: drive. Partition 3 = E: drive
3 partitions, 3 logical hard drives. C: will have the programs such as Windows XP for your OS. Your documents can be placed on the d: drive (when you file something in windows, under my documents, specify d:filename.) All programs such as MS Office suite you can have on the C: drive, but all data files such as documents, spreadsheets, etc can be stored on the D: drive. Your E: drive can be set as a working drive where when you burn CD's and stuff, those temporary files that get created would be placed on the E: drive. We're getting into real specifics here. Pick up a good Window's book that will show you how to set up your tempdisk file.

Answer 5

Any modern abode windows OS will ask the position you want to out it, in reality you should use the XP setting up technique to do the partitioning even as put in, each and every time you e book your demonstrate will provide up on the alternative of which OS as well from, you in basic terms %. and enter As stated above i might want to have theory the router might want to be both yet when not you may consistently purchase a compatible USE on the spot adaptor to get round it the priority i might want to have (except for what the first poster stated about RAM) is hardchronic area, I had an previous 60gb hardchronic with in basic terms XP on and it develop into impressive how briskly I crammed it. you've a lot less room and two times the employing. you need to purchase yet another small low cost hardchronic and piggyback the smaller one off the bigger one to have 2 demanding drives (yet you would possibly want to make positive its the right connection, IDE is the older and SATA is the more recent effortless style upload: oh certain, its a lap accurate, sorry you'll need only a replace hardchronic, 2 wont slot in

Answer 6

u asked two question,in some little cases some of softwares let u too install them in different places ,but i saw it ,in software setups u will ask to where to install software if it never asked of u ,then during installation select custom not typical ,then u will see the place that u can change ur installation drive by browsing or just cleanning c letter by ur storage letter ,
for my document ,so easy just right click on it then go propertise ,then u will see move button ok then move it every place u like
good luck

Answer 7

I think it couldn't be like that..coz most of the computer programs were set their saving file in the same place with the programs itself...maybe some little programs can be set up like that, but most I know couldn't

Answer 8

my bro used partition magic (the program). i did the rest. you can transfer your "my docs" to the new hard drive. it's fairly simple... i mean, i did it!