What's a disk partition, and how can i create them?

Question

And does it matter which type of HDD i have?

What is the point of having a partition?

Answer 1

Hard drive partitions are generally created for two reasons.

1) To install multiple operating systems on the same hard drive (like windows and linux for dual booting systems)

2) To break a large hard drive into smaller pieces. An example would be partitioning a large hard drive so that you have Windows installed on one partition and all your personal files and programs on the other partition. This way, if Windows were to stop working (as it likes to do sometimes,) You could format the partition with windows on it, reinstall windows back onto it and still have all your personal files untouched and unaffected.

Partitioning is like tricking your PC into thinking you have more then just 1 hard drive. The partition would be assigned its own drive letter that you could access (unless you made it a linux partition, these won't show up in Windows)

If you want to partition a drive you can try these programs.

Gparted:
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/download.php
this one is free and works like a linux live cd. You simply download the ISO and burn it with a program like Nero, change your boot order to load off the cd before the hard drive (if you havent done so already) and boot it. You'll then have access to an easy to use partition program. I've used it many times with great success.

Partition Magic
symantec.com
I haven't used this one but I've heard it is good.

Oh and no it doesn't matter what kind of hard drive you have.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

You generally create partition when installing an operating system. They are areas of disk used to separate data. You can also use partition managers, try a google search for partition manager.

Answer 3

try nortons partition magic is great,i split my hard drive up an i dont lose anything in case i have to format,i stick all my stuff on the partition all my music an things virus usally hide on the C drive