Partition Question

[Roadkill]

I'm still not understanding things about installing hard drives.
Need to partition W.D. 80 gig for Win 98 install. Do I/Can I put one long partition C, or do I have to break the drive up into multiple partitions ( E, F, G, ect. )? :confused:

[jadison]

Ok, let me get these questions answered 1st before I can answer urs:

Do you already have an OS/partitions installed on this HD?

If yes, then which OS do u have already installed?

If this is a clean HD, then just use FDISK (or other partition software) to create ONE partition so you can install Win98 onto it.

BTW, if you want to create virtual drive letters once Win98 is installed try this software (http://www.j-a-associates.com/vdc.htm) out.

[smokin]

Most users partition a hard drive for convenience more than anything else..unless their mobo won't support the whole drive.
I generally will set the C partition small enough to image it to one CD for backup purposes (it keeps the reg keys for the progs on the other partitions)..so I can format C and resore in minutes if I have a problem..and still have all my data. I never store anything of use ..other than the OS on C....and sometimes I wonder about C..LOL
;)

[Roadkill]

I currently have Win 98 First Ed. on it ( just installed it ), but I will have to wipe it out and start over because I forgot to use W.D. Data Lifeguard EZ-Install Software so that the thing will recognize the entire 80 Gig drive. As it now sits, it only see's 1.58 Gigs. I assume this is because of the bios limitation ( old FIC PA-2006 mobo ). It is currently set up with just the one partition and I didn't know if fixing the bios limit would create a problem with asking the computer to work with a 70 something Gig partiton. I don't really understand the reason for having multiple partitions, so I thought I'd better ask before going any further

Thanks

[Roadkill]

smokin, I didn't see your post till after I put mine up. Let me see if I understand what your saying. I can make a "C" partition 650 Mgbyt, install the OS on it, burn a copy of it onto a 700 MgByt CD to save, if something happens to the OS, I can format "C" and copy the OS back on to the drive without going thrugh the lengthy process of re-installing the OS. Correct? If so, this brings up two questions. For the next partition, do I use the letter "D", or do I save that letter for the CD-ROM Drive, "E" for the Iomega Zip Drive and make the second partition "F"? And, How does the computer know to set up the files that I will scan documents into on to the second partition instead of just adding them to "C"?

Thanks

[jadison]

Let me see if I understand what your saying. I can make a "C" partition 650 Mgbyt, install the OS on it, burn a copy of it onto a 700 MgByt CD to save, if something happens to the OS, I can format "C" and copy the OS back on to the drive without going thrugh the lengthy process of re-installing the OS. Correct? Basically, yes.

For the next partition, do I use the letter "D", or do I save that letter for the CD-ROM Drive, "E" for the Iomega Zip Drive and make the second partition "F"? The computer will re-assign the CD ROM drive and Iomega drives accordingly, so you're drive letter assignment will look something like this: C: Windows / D: 2nd partition / E: CD ROM / F: Iomega

And, How does the computer know to set up the files that I will scan documents into on to the second partition instead of just adding them to "C"? "Scan documents into" ?? :confused:

[Roadkill]

I have numerous boxes of paperwork I need to scan / copy into computer files for storage.

[jadison]

Then you should be able to specify the location where these files should go...and leave it at that.

[smokin]

Yes, you should be able to specify where data is saved, and where programs are installed. I made my C drive 2 gigs to allow for swap file and such because Windows will complain if C is too small. When all the programs are installed, I make an image of C with Drive Image, and burn it to a disk. In the event of a real problem, I can format c:, boot to the Drive Image start up disk, put the CD in the tray, and restore my C. Takes less than 10 minutes, and I have a "fresh" install.
:)

[NDC]

Partitioning Tips (http://www.xtremepccentral.com/vbforums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28&highlight=partition)