Questions on drives: setup and formatting

[Lucifers_Ghost]

Hello again all,

I have a couple of questions so this may get a little long winded. Bare with me!!

Ok. I have two computers. An AMD 2000 and a P3-733. Two hard drives (a 80gig and a 160gig (with about 45gig taken). I have 1 dvd burner and 1 cdburner. What I would like to do is take the 80 gig, format it and plop it in the P3 with the cd burner to use as a general every day computer. Then leave the 160 with the dvd burner with the AMD.

Now, because the 160gig has about 45 gig worth of stuff on it, I dont want to format. So, my questions are as follows:

1) What is the preferred method of installing XP on said drive without screwing up/losing any of the data presently on there.

2) What is the loss of quality and/or time, if any, when burning/shrinking to the same hard drive (C) as the OS and burning/ripping program is on?

I think this makes sense. At least, it does in my brain .. but thats not saying much :P

As always, I think you in advance for your time and advice.

Thanks,

LG

[redwudz]

Firstly, I would just purchase another drive and save yourself a lot of problems.

But... If not, I would defrag the 160G throughly. Then backup important data, just in case...

Then just install the OS on the existing partition. I assume it's a data drive and doesn't have a OS on it. Should not damage any data already there.

Another method might be to create a new partition on the drive with Partition Magic (Or similar) and install the OS there. Haven't tried that, but should work. I'm not a fan of multiple partitions.

As far as one drive VS having two on a computer, two is always better. The difference in speed and efficiency depends on your IDE controller, how much data is on the drives and probably a few other things.

[Denvers Dawgs]

what is the point of multiple partitions, and how do they work?

[gargoyle_xlvii]

From day one I have been using multiple partitions. I have used it so that I can keep the data separate from the operating system. I have my system setup so that everything is on separate partitions.

• Win 98
  Music
  Photos
  Downloads
  Web hosting data

With this method it is easier for me to store and keep track where items are.
Also if I forgot what something is called I at least know what partition it is on and it keeps searchs easier.

So that is why I use multiple partitions. Easier housekeeping.