Perfect PARTITION size

[mitch88]

Hi, thanks for reading my question,

I want to partition my new drive to get the maximum usable space.
How small can I leave the primary with 98SE in it ?. (>400meg) ?
Will this harm performance?
Are there any other apps I should put in with 98SE?

I want to isolate Windows from all my other data.
The idea is when windows blows up (as it always does)
The I can just reformat the primary partition and
leave all the other data undisturbed.
As a 2nd line of defense, I also have Norton's Ghost
and a 2nd HD that I will use to copy all the non-OS data to.
I have Partitiion magic but I have never used it.
I just am not sure of what needs to be on the same
partition as the OS.
I don't want to slow down the sys by leaving some app
out of the primary partition (or putting a wrong app in).

My sys (if it matters)
1GHz PIII, 512ram, Abit SA6R, 87SE. 60GB hd

Thanks for your time and help

Mitch

 

[paulwood]

I don't recall reading an optimum size for the primary partition, but things to think about are

1. Swap file - where's it going and how big does it need to be, which depends somewhat on physical system memory.
2. Applications - all programs will put a bunch of stuff in the system directory and you don't want to run out of space.
3. Intenet cache - you can limit this specifically, but if it's too small it will be less helpful.
4. Printing - if you print large documents, or many copies, the spool files can get quite large.
5. Email - if you use it a lot, the files will get quite big unless you're good at deleting.

There are probably other considerations too, but as you can see from the above list, the differences in what is needed can be substantially different on different systems. Keeping data and system apart is good practise, I do it myself.

Sorry not to be more specific, hope this helps.

FYI I looked at my Windows subdirectory, and it's nearly 900Mb! Whoa, pruning required I think!

 

[cdogg]

paulwood is right on the money with this one. You must keep in mind that every time you install an application, it will copy system files, like DLL's, to C:\Windows\System - although the app will install a bulk of its info in the specified directory (on your second partition D: for example).

Personally, I would recommend a partition of 2GB at the very least for the system partition. You may want to play it safe and use a 4 or 5 GB partition.

Good idea though using a different partition for your personal data...


~cdogg

 

[raygg]

I do oracle development at home and found that 2gb is just too small - everytime you add another app the programfiles folder gets incremented - not to mention all the temp files and useless internet cookies and history stuff that accumulates after I do internet downloads and surfing. I am about ready to bite the bullet and reformat my whole C: drive so I can expand from a 2 to a 4gb primary. At my company our lan guy is now upgrading harddrives to 20gb and putting 4gb primary partitions on all the NT boxes.

 

[reghakr]

I've also upped my to 3GB for the operating system files. Many applications (other than just Microsoft) also install files to the C:\Program Files\Common Files directory.

reghakr

 

[Guest_imported]

I there, i have read a lot of answers, but i found a little program that you can use for try out software with the choise to put it in de system and register or leave it out.
it's called test run by BB.
I recommend it to everone,because it saving a lot of aggerny when your system is filling itself up and than blows W98SE the wistle.

good luck

 

[raygg]

Could you be more specific about the website and the program name for test run by BB?

 

[MowermanED]

raygg,
No need to format to increase your primary partition. Just get yourself a copy of "Partition Magic" You can create, delete, resize, with any of your partitions with it and still keep all your data and system intact. It's worth every penny!

 

[hotfusion]

I didn't fully read all the above posts so someone may have already mentioned it - With Windows on one partition and apps on another, you cannot simply format C, reinstall and get away with it. All registry entries pointing to those apps will be destroyed, along with many system files (.exe, .dll etc)which would have been placed within windows. I suggest you do as I do, which is to put Windows and all core apps one one partition - Iuse 5Gb - and odd selected ones known to 'expand' in use on another. If a format is required, you must remember to delete all app files off the other partition as well. Certain files I place on a dedicated partition such as temp internet files, scanreg CABs and any temp space needed by other apps. Swap file could also be set up on this partition as min=max=200Mb. This arrangement has all but made defrag uneccessary. My suggestions are what I would try myself. If incorrect, I welcome corrections to my rather limited knowledge. Andy.

 

[raygg]

How did you decide to use 5gb as the size?

 

[hotfusion]

To be honest, it was an arbitrary figure which ensured I wouldn't run out of space, as I was unsure how much I would need. Not a problem as this drive is one of two at 30Gb, although with hindsight I would now bring this down to perhaps 3 or even 2 as all my apps together including a couple of games amount to about 1.2Gb. It is always a good idea though,not to fill the partition completely. Andy. My suggestions are what I would try myself. If incorrect, I welcome corrections to my rather limited knowledge. Andy.

 

[Kspade]

i have win 98 installed on a 540Mb with IE 5.5, i set my swap file to be on D4Gb) as well as my "program files" directory on D: my "Tempoary Internet Files" are on Ealso a 4Gb)IE was installed on the 540 and everything else was installed in my 'new' Program files folder. It works beautifully
system DLL are never very large so you can install MANY programs and still not fill the small HDD. i have been thru more that 6 other HDDs w/o replacing the 540 and i NEVER had to reinstall WIN98 in any of thoes cases. just the programs. in that system i'll never change my C: unless it(goodness forbid) crashes.X-) I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every moment of it.

 

[raygg]

At one time I was excited about setting up a lot of partitions for performance separating the swap file etc. Now I realize - just one partition for system incl swap and temp and downloads - maybe around 3-4gb - and everything else on the other drive or partition. Beyond the first partition any partition smaller than 10gb sooner or later will cause you space problems if you are using the pc heavily for anything that causes you to add large files from time to time - such as if you are a heavy gamer, creator of art or print work, or programming and development. On the the flip side how big should big be? Arbitrarily, divide your drive by some divisor where the resulting smallest partition would be no less than 10gb and no larger than 25-30gb. FOr example with a 20gb drive - 2 10's; a 30gb - then a 20 and a 10, or 2 15s, with a forty, 3 13's, 2 20's, or a 15 and a 25. There comes a point where making the partition too large makes maintenance and backup unreasonably tediously long to finish. Example - drefragging a 30gb drive is very time consuming. Comments?