Starting Over- Need Partitioning Setup help

[EpoxEd]

Had too much trouble with original setup with One partition, One OS. I want redundancy. My plan is to have separate partitions for Win2K and WinXP which I understand should be Primary partitions. I would like to separate partitions for applications, data, backup, and disk image. My question(s) is this:
(1)Can I place applications in a separate partition from the OS?
(2)If I can, I plan to put applications that are unstable on XP but OK on Win2K in a separate partition. Would it be more sensible to place them in different folders rather than a separate partition (ie "c:\Win2K Programs", "c:\XPprograms" rather than "e:\Program files...", "f:\Program files..." )?
(3)If I put data in a separate partition, will I be able to access it both from either Win2K's partition or XP's? (I intend to use NTFS exclusively)
(4)Does a disk image have to be in a Primary partition? I wouldn't think so... but who knows FOR SURE?

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Senior citizen's toy
AMD1.4/RAID/Win2Kpro

[Ghost_Hacker]

Can I place applications in a separate partition from the OS?

Yes, though the default "program files" folder will always be on the same partition as the OS. That doesn't limit you from creating another folder on a different partition

If I can, I plan to put applications that are unstable on XP but OK on Win2K in a separate partition. Would it be more sensible to place them in different folders rather than a separate partition (ie "c:\Win2K Programs", "c:\XPprograms" rather than "e:\Program files...", "f:\Program files..." )?


That's just a matter of what is easiest for you really. Both ways will work.


If I put data in a separate partition, will I be able to access it both from either Win2K's partition or XP's? (I intend to use NTFS exclusively)


Yes, as long as the data partition is formatted in a file system that both operating systems can use. In this case since your using NTFS that won't be a problem.

Does a disk image have to be in a Primary partition? I wouldn't think so... but who knows FOR SURE?


Not really sure what your asking here. The act of restoring the image will wipe out the partitions on the disk. Other than that the type of partition you can create an image for (NTFS,EXT2, FAT)will depend on the imaging software used. However it doesn't matter if the partition is a primary one or not.

Hope this helps http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by Ghost_Hacker (edited 03-15-2002).]

[saphalline]

Originally posted by EpoxEd:
(4)Does a disk image have to be in a Primary partition? I wouldn't think so... but who knows FOR SURE?


I think you're talking about a primary back-up of your OS image, correct? In this case, no, it's actually better to keep this on a separate partition so your OSes don't have imediate access to them. Not a primary partition, however, just a normal "non-bootable" partition. You can also create a few CD-R back-ups of your disk image, to make sure a surface media error of your hard disk doesn't wreck your disk image.

[EpoxEd]

Hi, and thanks for the info! My research leads me to believe everyone agrees with the info you all provided. You guys are good! In regard to the backup of a disk image... I realize that in most cases, one would use a separate disk to image a copy to. What I really want is an image of the OS partition with all its configuration files. Now that I know what I really want, I have the answer to my question. Thanks again!

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Senior citizen's toy
AMD1.4/RAID/Win2Kpro