I need help to format my HDD to install Windows XP Professional

[floccinaucini]

My HDD is 500GB and I am installing Windows XP Professional. I will be using about 400GB for XP while keeping the other 100GB for another operating system. I will be using the XP formatting options during the installation.

(1) What is the acceptable minimum size of disk space of the 'primary partition' for XP (system only)?

(2) I want to keep programmes, data files and documents & settings in three separate places. Should I keep these three items in three separate
 'primary partitions' OR three separate 'logical drives' created inside one 'extended partition'?

(3) Is there a better way than (2) above?

(4) If any partition or logical drive becomes full, would the additional data coming in, overflow to the 'unallocated' space?

I need some advice here because I have no previous experience in disk formatting. I am able to do the partitioning. I have no problem with that. What I am looking for is some advice about doing it properly. The better way of doing it.

Thank you,

[Allan]

My HDD is 500GB and I am installing Windows XP Professional. I will be using about 400GB for XP while keeping the other 100GB for another operating system. I will be using the XP formatting options during the installation.

(1) What is the acceptable minimum size of disk space of the 'primary partition' for XP (system only)?

XP doesn't require a lot of space, but a "safe" size is between 20-30Gb.

(2) I want to keep programmes, data files and documents & settings in three separate places. Should I keep these three items in three separate
 'primary partitions' OR three separate 'logical drives' created inside one 'extended partition'?

logical drives. But you leave Docs & Settings right where it is - DO NOT MOVE THAT FOLDER

(3) Is there a better way than (2) above?

Whatever works for you is the best way. I like a lot of partitions. I keep the OS and key system files on c: and other stuff on d:, e:, f:, etc (just because that's how I like it, that's all)

(4) If any partition or logical drive becomes full, would the additional data coming in, overflow to the 'unallocated' space?

NO

I need some advice here because I have no previous experience in disk formatting. I am able to do the partitioning. I have no problem with that. What I am looking for is some advice about doing it properly. The better way of doing it.

Thank you,

[floccinaucini]

Thank you for the information.

(1) "But you leave Docs & Settings right where it is - DO NOT MOVE THAT FOLDER"
Could you please tell me the reason for this. I was under the impression (wrong?), that it would be easier and quicker to back up or save these personal things if they are kept separate.

(2) "I like a lot of partitions. I keep the OS and key system files on c: and other stuff on d:, e:, f:, etc (just because that's how I like it, that's all)"

Is it possible to tell me your full arrangement so that I can have a better idea, like what goes to which partition.

(3) If any partition reaches full capacity, inadvertently, what will happen?

(4) What would happen to 'unallocated' space. Would it just remain unused and wasted?

Regards,

[Allan]

The Docs & Settings folder contains a number of system folders that, if moved, will cause havoc. Just leave it alone.

I have a lot of systems. The one I'm using now has two hd's. Here is the configuration:

Drive 1:
c: System (Win 7) + some key apps (Kaspersky AV, MalwareBytes, etc)
d: Internet related apps and games
e: Utilities, misc programs, My Documents
f: Temporary Internet Files, Mozilla Cache, test folder (for testing apps)
g: MP3 file backup
h: Windows 8

Drive 2:
i: Media
j: True Image Backups (I also backup to removable hd's)
k: MP3 files
l: Downloaded software  & drivers
m: pagefile

[TheShadow]

From the "Old School"..... K.I.S.S. !!!

Every MS OS including XP was designed to run on one hard drive with one partition.  PC's have been coming out of the factory exactly like that for at least two decades.
When you install XP or any OS to a hard drive it will install itself totally into the 'C' partition and that's where it expects to find everything.  As was said before (thank you Sir) when you start moving things around you will create a total Monster (I think total havoc was the term used).

Just let the installer put everything in C and leave it there.  The minimum size for C would be dependent on how many programs and suites you intend to install.
Generally anything from 30gig to 50gig would be sufficient.  Format the rest of the drive as a Storage partition and use folders to keep things separate, it's not necessary to create a new partition for each type of files. 

I just leave everything pertinent to my OS in drive C, so that when I do my backups of C, I have everything it would take to do a full restore, if my main HD goes up in a big ball of fire and smoke.  Don't laugh.....**it happens! 

Then do follow these two simple rules:
1.  Use a reliable Backup program like Acronis True Image and after you install it on your hard drive, use it to make an emergency restore CD.
From then on, you can even delete it off of the Hard Drive, to save space, and run it totally from the CD.

2.  Make backups often, like once a week, and save the Backup Image Files to some media external to your PC, like an external hard drive or to DVD's that you can put in a safe place.

* The only bad backup is the one that you decided NOT to make.

I'm so into data backup and security, that I...
Force a new System Restore point on every boot-up, with a Script in my Startup folder.
Backup my data files to two external drives, daily, using a DOS batch file and the XCOPY command.
Backup my entire C drive at least once a week, using Ghost 11.5, run from either a CD or Flash Drive.

Going back 33 years, I've set up Backup schemes for Banks, Corp's and Home Computers.
It's just one of the things I do as a Professional IT Specialist.

Remember, "Keep It Simple".

Cheers Mates!
Shadow 

[Geek-9pm]

From the "Old School"..... K.I.S.S. !!!

Every MS OS including XP was designed to run on one hard drive with one partition.  PC's have been coming out of the factory exactly like that for at least two decades.
When you install XP or any OS to a hard drive it will install itself totally into the 'C' partition and that's where it expects to find everything.  As was said before (thank you Sir) when you start moving things around you will create a total Monster (I think total havoc was the term used).

That is misleading. XP can and will install to any partition if you have a reason do that. Often  if thee is not  a C: partition will it create a C: partition. If t another OS has c:, XP installs to a partition with  another letter. And you can even get into a place whee it installs to some other partition and there is no C: partition.  Makes people goofy.
Some programs can run from any drive.
Please do not perpetuate Urban Legends. Yo udon't have to have it on  drive C:
From CH archives...
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001193.htm

..attempting to hack the registry or change other system settings to fix this issue often causes more issues than it fixes.

Also, XP is based on NT, not DOS.

[Computer_Commando]

My Documents, etc. is easily moved to anywhere you like with TweakUI (free from Microsoft).  The My Computer tab on TweakUI has special folders with current location & change location.
http://www.filehippo.com/download_tweakui/

I keep Windows & Program Files on "C".
IE temporary files can be moved with Control Panel--Internet Options
Virtual Memory file can be moved with System Properties--Advanced--Performance--Settings--Advanced

You can change the size of the partitions after Windows installation with EASEUS Partition Master Free Edition.

[Allan]

From the "Old School"..... K.I.S.S. !!!

Every MS OS including XP was designed to run on one hard drive with one partition.  PC's have been coming out of the factory exactly like that for at least two decades.

Absolute nonsense. Aside from anything else, it always made sense to separate data from everything else in the event you need to format the system partition.

[floccinaucini]

Absolute nonsense. Aside from anything else, it always made sense to separate data from everything else in the event you need to format the system partition.

This I would want to do. Could you please tell me how to go about separating the data. Creating partitions and formatting is not a problem to me.

[Allan]

Simply move My Documents to another partition (right-click on the My Documents folder, drag, drop, click on "MOVE" - the system will do the rest) and when you save data from your programs, save them to anywhere you like - except c: drive.

[Geek-9pm]

Yes, Allan is right on.
And yho0u can do nit for each user. Every user can have either a partition or a named folder in a partition.
You could even use removable media, but I wouldn't.

[Allan]

Geek - Please - if you are going to offer help here, proofread your posts. I know you use speech to text, but some of your posts are unreadable.

[floccinaucini]

Simply move My Documents to another partition (right-click on the My Documents folder, drag, drop, click on "MOVE" - the system will do the rest) and when you save data from your programs, save them to anywhere you like - except c: drive.

Thank you very much. I can start installing XP now.

Kind regards,

[Allan]

You're welcome. If you run into problems or have any additional questions, we're here for you.