2nd Partition for 2nd OS??..???

[cjb1118]

Hi

This probably won't make sense, but anyway..

I have Windows XP Home installed on a single 80GB Hard Disk, with one partition.
How can I make a 2nd partition (about 20/30gb) to install another OS on

Also, Is there a risk that when I make a 2nd partition, my files will get buggered up?

I have only used 18GB/80GB.

Chris

[808smokey]

Partition Magic will do it for you real easy. If you don't know how to run FDISK or a similar Disk management program I'd get PM or something like that to do what you want.

[indolikaa]

PartitionMagic is recommended unless you know exactly what you're doing.

I triple-boot between WinME and two different Win2000 Pro loads. Works flawlessly.

[edsmith77]

cjb1118
PM will do what you want. I would NOT use FDISK. I think when it does separte disk into partitions, you will lose data.

[cjb1118]

Thanks guys

What is the risk when I use PM??

[edsmith77]

cjb1118,
I used it straight out of the box and had no difficulites. The only problems were deciding how big a partition to make and the sector size to use. There are many opinions on sector size and each depends upon the use of the disk space. For video editing and capture bigger sector sizes are better. This translates into better disk space utilization. However, for non-video file storage smaller sector sizes offers better disk utilization. If you do not have an overabundance of RAM then the pagefilesys (i.e., page swapping) will drive your disk crazy if your sector size is to small. In this case you will or should increase the sector size. The only true answer is pick one and see if you are satisfied with the space utilization and performance. Then adjust accordingly. PM will do the adjustments for you very nicely and easily.

Have fun.

[cjb1118]

Thanks there:

How does an 80gb drive split into 50GB and 30GB sound

Oh, and I have 256mb RAM (DDR400mhz-Dual mode)

[gmatov]

CJ,

Sounds wasteful. 10 gig for C:\WinXP, 10 gig for the other OS, and since you are here, meaning into videa, the balance for caps/rips.

Since you are looking for another OS, rather than upgrading TO XP, I think you may have to wipe your drive and start over. The general rule is the older OS must be installed first, then the others in order of release.

However, tho I have not tried this, with PM8 you may be able to make a partition at the beginning of the drive on which to install, say, 98, and all may be well.

You could also, funds available, buy a new drive and install to that.

80 is tiny, today.

Cheers,

George

[cjb1118]

Im not planning to use this PC for video editing, i'll use the downstairs one

[gmatov]

I'd still go 10, 10 and the balance, you can always make another partition with PM later if you want to install a 3rd OS.

I never make my OS partitions bigger than 10 gig.

But, I do move files I want to keep to a SAVED folder on the largest non-OS partition.

Cheers,

George