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Got a good thread going here.
Yes, you are right to think that all programs add something to the registry. There-fore I have an 8gig drive which I use to backup the "C" partition. Just ran it again tonight so I now have everything I have done in the last 2 weeks since my last backup.
That way all installed programs, no matter what partition they are installed remain connected to the OS.
By using Ghost 2001 to make the copy, it only takes me about 7 minutes to go from dead in the water to what I had before, within the 2 week range.
The price of hard drives being down makes this a viable way to go. This backup drive is then stored in my desk for the day I might need it.
Have been doing this since I started using win98 and it has saved many hours and a lot of hair, of which I don't have much of anyway.
GL and cheers mac https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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If computers are so smart, why can't they fix themselfs??
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BattenEye:
With PartitionMagicyou can do that. The big misconception paeplehave is that by downloading to and saving the "setup files" onto say Partition named D Drive, that the program will INSTALL there. This is simply not the case. Thinkof the D Drive partition the same way you would as storage. When you install from a CD you still have the CD. When you download from the net onto the partition it's the same as storing it there in case you need it. If you need to reformat C, you still have akk those downloads safe on D.
Programs ALWAYS install to C Drive, unless you tell them to do otherwise. All necessary files go to C Drive, just as if you were installing from a CD or floppy. And after install, you don't RUN IT FROM D DRIVE,it RUNS FROM C, justlike any other install. It'll show upin C:/Program FIles/ like everything else.
I have things on my D Drive, and also backed up toa CD that I burned. Double protection. Either source setup files will install the same as the other.
I have a 3rd Partition called MY COMPUTER, wherein I have ALL INFO and proprietary drivers related tomy Processor, Chipset, BIOS, etc, all my needed Soundblaster files, all diagnostic programs and long written instructions on how to install each and system recovery information.
So mine is like this:
A Drive - Floppy
B Drive - Empty
C Drive - 9 Gig - WINXP and all installed programs - 4 gigs left
D Drive - 9 Gigs - All downloaded MP3's and Programs (backed up setup files of things I have no CD for) - 2/3 full
E Drive - 9 Gigs - MY COMPUTER FILES, includes the XP OS files, and copied of ALL Windows Updates to date. Anything relating to MS Windows XP add-ons, etc, like WinMediaPlayer, Copies of the Java Virtual Machine, stufflike that, but no SOFTWARE. (5 gigs left)
F Drive - 7 Gigs - Extra space.
G Drive - CD-Rom/RW
H Drive - CD-Rom
I would have no less than 6 Gigs for C Drive with XP, I would prefer 7-10. You will run out space, it requires 200MB of space just for padding, I know because I had to use Partiton Magic when I started with 3 Gigs and installed a few big programs (EZCDCreator, Office, and more)..., a nice warning message pops upand advises you to dump files, that you are "Running Out Of Hard Disk Space"
Like you, I used to NEVER partition, but once you start, you never go back. Plus,it's simple with P.M....
Good Luck.
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1) AMD Athlon 750MHz, 365Ram, onboard Audio and Video.
2) AMD K6/2 550Mhz, 194RAM, Monster Fusion, and Vortex/Aureal Sound...
3) Linksys router and Cable Modem.
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In all these years of using computers I've never lost a file due to HD failure so I guess my luck my be about gone!
Thanks for all the info, sure is nice to get advice from those with experience.
I think I'm going to make four 10gig drives out of my 40. I'll probably also aquire an identicle drive for making future backups.
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Here's my 2cents.... I have 2 40 gig drives; the first one holds my OS XPPro NTFS. The 2nd one is fat32 and has 3 partitions: files, music & pictures & backups.
My old machine had one drive partitioned (via partition magic - this one too). The ONLY thing, as far as I'm concerned, was that it gave me a place to backup my hard drive. To me, it's not worth loading programs on another partition because if you have to reinstall your OS, you have to reinstall all of your programs ANYWAY - so what's the difference. As far as defrag, do it once a week - and it won't take long - no matter how big the drive is.
Actually, I always keep all of my DATA files on a CD using direct CD. That way, I have all of my files. It will let you know if the disc is starting to wear - you will get warnings - then just copy it over to another disc. I NEVER have to worry about files - My 2nd drive is mainly for backups and downloading music......and data that I most likely will not keep.
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QUOTE..............
To me, it's not worth loading programs on another partition because if you have to reinstall your OS, you have to reinstall all of your programs ANYWAY - so what's the difference.
END QUOTE..........
The difference is that you don't have to Download them again. THAT is plenty of reason in my opinion. I use a lot of freeware and shareware, I don't use a Zip or Jazz Drive, I use a partition for storage.
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1) AMD Athlon 750MHz, 365Ram, onboard Audio and Video.
2) AMD K6/2 550Mhz, 194RAM, Monster Fusion, and Vortex/Aureal Sound...
3) Linksys router and Cable Modem.
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Hi. I may have got some nitty-gritty facts for having a backup hard drive:
Well then, If you have 100GB of hard drive, you might also buy another 100GB hard drive for a back up. Man... This may sound like you have 200GB of hard drive! LOL!!
But hold on. I'm not joking.
Because if you have:
60GB left of HD Space out of 100GB in Drive C,
then you can back up to:
60GB left of HD Space out of 100GB in Drive D.
Well, it's better t update your hard drive and copy (update) to the back up hard drive. This may make sense.
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Aptiva 2140-L5H
Pentium II 233MHz w/ MMX Tech
128MB ram
4.2GB hd (3GB left)
Windows ME
2 ICSC (Crystal CS4232 and CS4610 Sound Accelerator)
ATI Xpert 128
