mag said:
We're about to take delivery of a new (actually a Dell refurb) computer
with a 320 hard drive and XP Pro pre-installed. I've always previously had
a small C drive for the OS and programs and a large secondary drive,
called D, for data, so a single hard drive of this size is making me
nervous! I think it probably should be partitioned but I have no idea how
to go about doing it. Should I get something like Partition Magic? One
friend suggested wiping the hard drive, reinstalling the OS and
partitioning at that point.
Any advice will be appreciated.
Maggie
mag said:
Ken,
I just read your article, thanks, and you've mentioned the reason I said
maybe I "should" partition the drive, which is that we backup the data to
an
external hard drive every day. I thought having a partition just for data
would make the process easier but perhaps it doesn't really matter.
I'm thinking now that if I'm going to wipe the hard drive anyway, maybe
I'll get a smaller hard drive and continue with what I currently do, ie
have the OS and programs on a small C drive and the data on a large D
drive.
Thanks,
Maggie
Maggie:
Let me give you another point-of-view to consider...
You are certainly correct in your objective to "backup the data to an
external hard drive every day". Not only is this a worthwhile objective, it
really should be your *primary*, if not exclusive objective. And when we use
the term "data" in this context, consider that this "data" includes
*everything* on your day-to-day working HDD, i.e, your XP operating system
(OS), all your programs/applications, as well as your user-created data. So
that by a comprehensive backup your data you can, in effect, have a copy of
your HDD. A precise copy whereby should your day-to-day HDD fail or your
system becomes unbootable because of a corrupt OS, you would have the
wherewithal to restore your system to a bootable, functional state with a
minimum of fuss. What better backup system can one have?
You can achieve this through the use of a disk-cloning (or disk-imaging
program). A comprehensive backup program that you could use on a daily basis
should you want.
There are a number of disk-to-disk cloning programs available. The program
we greatly prefer as a disk-to-disk cloning program - see
http://www.fssdev.com
It's extremely simple to use even for an inexperienced user, reasonably
quick in operation, and quite effective. There's virtually no learning curve
in undertaking the disk cloning process as one navigates through the few
easy-to-understand screens with a final mouse-click on the button on the
screen which will trigger the disk-cloning process. After undertaking one or
two disk-cloning operations it should take the user no more than 20 seconds
or so to get to that point.
The significant advantage of the Casper 4.0 disk cloning program compared
with other disk cloning programs that we're familiar with is its ability to
create *incremental* disk clones following the creation of the original
(first) disk clone. Employing what Casper calls its "SmartClone" technology
the program can create subsequent disk clones of the source HDD usually at a
fraction of the time it takes to create a "full" disk clone. This results in
a decided incentive for the user to undertake frequent complete backups of
his or her system knowing that they can create "incremental" disk clones in
a relatively short period of time. Understand that this "incremental disk
clone" is a *complete* clone (copy) of the "source" HDD.
So, for example, in your case where your interest would be in backing up
your system on a daily basis, following the first time you clone the
contents of your internal (boot) HDD to your USB external HDD (USBEHD), it
would probably take no more than two or three minutes each day to thereafter
perform the disk-cloning operation. Again, bear in mind that your USBEHD
would contain the *complete* contents of your internal HDD. While the USBEHD
would not ordinarily be bootable in an XP OS, it would be a simple matter to
clone the contents of the USBEHD back to a internal HDD should a restoration
of the system be necessary. Again, what better backup system can one have?
The Casper 4.0 program is also capable of scheduling the disk-cloning
process on a daily, weekly, or other time period selected by the user so
that should you prefer you could arrange for automatic backups at
pre-determined times.
There's a trial version available (see above link) although it's somewhat
crippled but it will give you a good idea as to how the program works. And I
can provide further details about using the program should you be
interested.
The downside to the Casper 4 program as compared with the Acronis and most
other disk-cloning programs is the cost of the program which comes to $49.95
for the program + $9.95 for the "Casper Startup Disk" (the program to create
the bootable CD containing the Casper program). So it's more expensive than
the others. But in our view, well worth the additional cost considering its
overall effectiveness and the fact that one will be using the program many,
many times over the weeks & months ahead. AFAIK, the program is available
only through download from the developer.
Another possible downside to the Casper 4 program (depending upon your
interests) is that it's really not designed to create "generational" copies
of your system. Some users like to maintain complete copies of their system
at various points in time. To that end a disk-imaging program is more
practical since to accomplish that objective using a disk-cloning program
such as Casper 4 the user would obviously need a fair number of HDDs to
serve as the recipients of the clones at these various points in time. But
based on our experience I would say that the vast number of users (and I
would assume you are one of them) are basically interested in only
maintaining a current up-to-date copy of their system and have little or no
interest in maintaining "generational" copies
of such. But that may be a consideration for you & others.
Anyway, all of the above is predicated on the basis that you're seeking a
reliable program to backup your *entire* day-to-day booting HDD, including
the XP OS, all your programs & applications, and your user-created data, in
short - everything that's on your "source" HDD. And you want an effective
simple-to-use program to do this on a systematic routine basis and do so
reasonably quickly. To that end we've found this Casper 4.0 program really
fills the bill. So I would suggest you take a look at it.
I really don't think there is any significant need for you to
multi-partition your HDD. There's no reason why you can't work effectively
with a single-partitioned HDD that includes *all* the data on your HDD. And
simply create the files & folders to organize your work on that single
partition. This is especially so should you use a disk-to-disk cloning
program such as the one I've suggested. In our experience this supposed
additional security one gains from separating data through partitioning is
more myth than reality in the day-to-day world of personal computing. While
there's no terrible harm in multi-partitioning your 320 GB HDD should you
want to go that route, I honestly do not feel it's of any real value to the
vast majority of PC users.
So, in summary, my advice would be to think more in terms of establishing &
maintaining a comprehensive backup system along the lines I've suggested
rather than multi-partitioning your HDD.
Anna
