Size/Specifics of OS Partition

[P220ST]

I have a Seagate Barracuda 320GB 7200.10 16MB cache SATA HDD. I intend to lay down the OS (XP-Pro) into its own partition, hopefully on the peripheral aspect of the platter. This is a virgin instal, slipstreamed XP-Pro/SP2, brand-new HDD.

I've received wild variations in recommended sizes (from a low of 5GB to a high of 60-100GB) for the OS' partition as well as varied ideas re partitioning paging files and other stuff.

Given the size of my SATA HDD, assuming the OS will be busy, and planning for what the future may hold:

1. what's a good ballpark size for XP-Pro's own partition? I have room.
2. is there any need to establish a separate partition for the paging file?
3. have I forgotten to think through anything obvious re partitioning my OS?

For example, am I going to find out in 18 months that it was tragic to ignore putting XP-Pro's xyz files into their own partition? I realize I sound compulsive, and I am, but I've received some rather "unique" suggestions and I know that it's not that complicated.

Sorry, have to ask.

-P220ST

 

[cpjust]

1. My C: drive (OS only) is 30GB and after 2 years it's only half full. You could get away with a much smaller partition if you don't intend to install many programs, or you may need a bigger partition. It all depends on the amount of software you'll be installing. 30GB should be more than enough for most people.

2. No. I'm not aware of any advantages for doing so.

3. Not that I can see. 1 partition for the OS, and 1 or more partitions for data.

 

[linney]

Any future upgrade to Vista requires a certain amount of free space (15GB) for any upgrade to be possible.

System requirements for Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919183/

It can sometimes save a lot of heartache to just install XP on a small IDE drive and keep it away from SATA.

Error Message:Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in you
thread779-972802

RAM, Virtual Memory, PageFile and all that stuff

http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/WindowsGeneralWeb/RAMVirtualMemoryPageFileEtc.htm

 

[P220ST]

linney and cpjust, thank you for your help. Do you folks like your OS partition to be the most peripheral? Physically on the disk, I mean: on the fastest moving sectors?

 

[linney]

Personally speaking, I am not a speed freak, I have very simple setups, and I'm just glad if the machine works, so I can't offer any help on your last question.

 

[cpjust]

I have no idea where my OS partition is on the disk. It's the first partition, so whether that means it's on the outside or closest to the middle, I'm not sure...
BTW, if you partition your disk and later find out that you want a different size, you could always use something like Partition Magic to resize your partitions.

 

[linney]

This covers two ways to Shrink (Resize) partitions, one is a third party utility, the other is using "Diskpart" booted from a Vista DVD.

How to dual-boot Vista with XP - step-by-step guide with screenshots

http://apcmag.com/5023/dual_booting_xp_with_vista