Windows xp pro installation on serial ata - partition strategy/issue

[cleverest]

I have Win XP pro, want to WIPE it from my 120Gb drive (I have everything backed up) and install on my new 200gb serial ata drive....but I don't want to partition the whole 200gb as one drive.....any reccomendations? So far I'm leaning to this.

3 partitions on this drive.....

C: <os> (primary): 15-20GB: Windows OS
D: <data> (Logical): 130GB (programs/temp data storage)
E: <editiing> (logical): 50GB (for video/audio/photo editiing programs and temp storage for those types of files)

TEMPORARY storage means that when something is created/downloaded I want to save I move it to my other 120GB drive for STORAGE (S: drive)

I also have a external 120Gb firware drive as a backup storage....

Ideally this will allow me to GHOST my OS drive to another drive for backup (external firewire or my other 120gb in a small partition to prevent it from getting DEFRAGGED, etc..) The reason? So I can do quick os re-installs...etc..

also as a note, all my drives are NTFS formatted.....

PROBLEM SO FAR:
Windows still wants to recognized my old C: drive (the one I want to wipe and use as my storage drive) after installing FRESH on my serial ata drive on drive letter (E or I or whatever it gives me. I can't change it in drive manager because it says C is a system disk.)

when I shut down and unplug the old C: drive and try to reboot I get a .HAL file missing error or something along those lines....what is the easiest way to get this working??

Does anyone have any tips or ideas or warnings? THANKS!!

- Brett

 

[bcastner]

Unplug the original C drive.
Reinstall.

 

[wolluf]

I'd also suggest using all primary partitions (because of bad experiences 'losing' extended partitions in the past).

 

[bcastner]

I should note you can after installation and everything is fine replug the old drive back in.

 

[ifix1]

one little note:
there is no reason &quot;that i know of&quot;to install programs on &quot;D&quot; drive simply because you will still have to reinstall them if you have to format your os partion..
the programs won't be in the newly installed windows registry. files not a problem though

 

[toonei]

Like bcastner said, unplug the drive, reinstall. After install is done set the other drive to Slave, hook it up and boot. Windows will recognize the drive and assign drive letters.