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Thread ID: 65960 2006-02-06 04:27:00 Partitioning a Hard Drive During a Clean Install symiggy (7597) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
427612 2006-02-06 04:27:00 I wish to reformat the hard drive in my old computer followed by a clean install of Windows XP Home SP2
The drive is 24 GB in size.
I was wondering if anyone could advise me as to the pros and cons of creating a partition in the drive during the Format and Clean install and if I do create a separate partition, what would be an appropriate size to chose?
Many thanks. :help:
symiggy (7597)
427613 2006-02-06 04:31:00 Well, since its XP I would say about 10-15 GB.

It depends on how much u install on it later. Since, XP takes 1.5GB just for the install. (Without SP2).
Speedy Gonzales (78)
427614 2006-02-06 04:31:00 Yes, it would be a good idea. You can put all your personal data on the second partition which means if you have to reinstall again, that data will be safe.

Are you sure your drive is 24 gigs because that is an unusual size. To keep things nice and simple, give WinXP 10 gigs and make the remainder the second partition.
Jen (38)
427615 2006-02-06 05:09:00 I agree with what Jen has said . I managed to get all my programs plus Windows on a 10GB partition but if you can, check out how much space My Programs is taking up now in case you have a lot more installed than I have . If it looks like your Program Files is close to 10GB then allow a bit more for the Windows and programs partition .

Have you seen the forum's Partitioning FAQ ( . pressf1 . co . nz/faq . php?faq=pressf1_faq_windows#faq_pressf1_faq_43" target="_blank">www . pressf1 . co . nz )?
FoxyMX (5)
427616 2006-02-06 21:23:00 What Speedy Gonzales is true, but I must admit I put everything into one partition . I've been stung too many times by the first program partition being to small .

If you make the first program partition really big, then you're wasting disk space .

You can use a product like Symantec Partition Magic, formerly Powerquest, but I consider this a last resort, not to be taken lightly .

I found that 12GB is a better size for a first program partition, if you're actively using the PC .

As a small hard drive for the program partition, and a larger separate physical drive for documents and data has some benefits, including moving the page file to improve performance .
kingdragonfly (309)
427617 2006-02-07 04:00:00 10 gigs? :waughh:
Mines only 4GB, then again my swapfile is on another partition
bob_doe_nz (92)
427618 2006-02-07 07:25:00 10 gigs? :waughh:
Mines only 4GB, then again my swapfile is on another partition
Yes, but like I said that included all my program files as well as Windows. On my newer PC the Windows/program files partition is 20GB to make allowance for more programs to be installed later on.

You have all your programs on a separate partition to Windows don't you?
FoxyMX (5)
427619 2006-02-07 08:01:00 Nope, It's all on my XP partition, apart from games which is on another partition. My programs are backed up to disk.

This is including Java Runtimes, .net Runtimes, ATI drivers, Openoffice 2, Firefox, Quicktime and Real alternatives, and Winfast TV Tuner program.
These are the largets of my programs but I can cram them into c:\
bob_doe_nz (92)
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