Partitioning a new laptop

[ddjj]

Hello:
Im getting a new laptop with 1tb hard drive...any one here partition the drive....why....and what would you have on each partition?
Thx
DDJJ

[daniel clark]

curious also,,what are the benifits and for the computer illeriate ,hows it done
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_partitioning
a link for info ,still not clear
more info ,,
http://www.ehow.com/how_6027_partition-hard-drive.html
seems this is not the same thing as just opening another user account on computer and only running a single software on it ,

[KevMaverick]

Here's the quick guide:

Have a smaller partition for the operating system (Windows etc), and a large one for data (music etc.)

Using this system, if your OS goes belly up, you can reinstall the OS and still have access to all your data on the larger partition when done. Watch out for the existing partitions though - you must keep them intact! Usually, if Windows goes crazy and screws itself up, it will only affect it's own partition - not the data one. When doing a fresh install, it will set itself up and recognise the other partitions, and let you access them once it's installed.

Nothing beats having your important stuff backed up onto an external drive though - just in case!

It's the case with all precious stuff - music, photos, documents - never trust it to one place, always back it up to somewhere else - either an external drive, or to disks...

Believe me, I've been caught out too many times not to do this!

Be aware that most new computers have a 'restore partition' that MUST be left alone! This is a safety feature that lets you recover the whole computer in case of a failure. Delete that, and you'll most probably end up with a computer that is only good for for a door-stop!

(I've been there, done that too many times! )

JUST BACKUP YOUR MUSIC!! PLEASE!!!!

[daniel clark]

yes also learned to back up also the hardway ,,,so what i gather the main plus is having the o s seperate from the files ,giving the ability to save files if o s fails,, also something to do with read rate,and keeping files used together for faster access to improve performance but the drive must be formatted for that on initial install support say he has a 1.8 g computer that runs Cross effectualy ,,so a better option would be to have a comp just set up for your audio software no other software but the os,,and of course back up everthing

[BennyB]

For 1TB, I usually suggest 4 partitions:

Make a 60GB partition for windows, then an another 60GB partiotion for a WIndows backup, which means, it is a locked logical partiotion (meaning windows can't see it, and can boot from it), and it contains a pure windows installation woth all the necessary stuff.

The third partion should be a big one. Size depends, but it's good to store all your music there, to not let the music files mix with other stuff, ensuring quick loadtimes while DJing.
In Cross also set your peak file directory here.

The 4th partition should be the rest of the stuff, working as a general storage: documents, films, and other sh*t.

Importan: you should your default download and documents folder on your storage partitoon, so it makes your windows faster and the windows partiotion more organised in the mean time.

Some tips for pure windows installing:
Just install it up. Only install there things with windows, before making that "pure windows" partition copy:
- drivers
- browser
- DJ software
- anti virus, firewall
- if you have a DAW (Ableton, and stuff) install it, and all the VSTI-s you got.
- Some necessary software you normally use, and no unnecessary stuff.

It should be done in the first place. Once you've done these, you can choose the partiotion copy option in your partiotion software, just do it, and wait untill it finishes, then find and choose the Option of "Hide Partition", which will hide the partiotion from the Windows browser, but you'll be able to see it in the partiotion software

[discopex]

When disk access speed is critical you might want to have a look at this article
http://www.pcworld.com/article/255224/h ... mance.html

[Hannes]

my suggestion:

2 patitions: -> 2 OS Installs, one for everyday one for audio-software.
then get a 1TB external hardrive and use that for backups.

[Support@MixVibes]

#1 with your DJ/music softwares
#2 with your sounds/datas/samples/tracks
#3 with... Linux and an Image of your 1st partition

Don't forget regular backup of the data partition.

EDIT : it also important to relocate My documents and all Libraries to the partition #2

[Jim B]

Partition this, partition that

When you start complicating things, that's when people start creating problems.

Keep things simple guys

[Support@MixVibes]

If you don't separate system and data, you're dancing with the devil !