Operating System Install Question

[Anaxibius]

If I only have one drive, is it more efficient to partition it into say a 10 GB space for my operating system and install my applications on the remaining space along with my swap file or does it not matter whether the partition is there? Obviously it would be better to have two drives, but I don't, hence the question. Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[SectorZero]

No it is not more efficient to have a partition for applications.
But honestly, it's really just a matter of preference.

There is nothing technically incorrect about installing your apps on a separate partition, but if your O.S. goes belly up, you'll still have to reinstall your apps.

Page file is a different story. I'm a big believer in always putting your page file on a separate partition, regardless if it's on a different HDD or not.

My recommendation for partition scheme is:

C:\ Give it enough room for O.S. and apps
D:\ Swap/Page file . 1 Gig should do
E:\ Data use all remaining space. Don't forget to point youre My Documents folder here.

 

[imported_Kiwi]

My opinion on the matter is all I can offer. I suspect that no true objective observations can support any opinion. I think that if you will make backups, the partitioning helps you. If a smaller drive is involved, it's easier and faster to back it up.

I make the first two partitions the keys, since they are at the outside edge of the drive, where access is supposed to be faster, and I make the boot partition "small" (4-6 GB's, depending on total Hdd size). Then I set up a dedicated swap file (page file, same difference) in the next partition. Whether or not the "main" partition is just one big single unit or broken down further between applications and user data files is another opinion item. I think for backing up my data files, I like a separate partition for those.


:thumbsup:

 

[theMan]

i like to have just 1 big partition. i divide things up with folders. its a lot easier to change and switch things around. i dont think it will help performance that much.