partitioning drive C

[naebothernoo]

Hello My daughter has got a new computer with windows XP home as an operating system. The hard drive is formatted as one big drive C, I intend to partition the drive into two to give her secure storage in case of a system crash. It has been so long since I have done this I want to be sure I am doing it ok. Will I have to insert the system disc and re.install windows , or is there now a way of doing this without re-formatting?
thanks

 

[breezer]

Bingo. (i knew i asked the same question some time ago)

You want to see this

 

[jj4091]

Are you sure partitioning will achieve what you want? When my hard drive failed I lost both partitions.

 

[breezer]

he did say system crash, not hd failure

 

[2scoops0406]

Use partition magic !

 

[Richard C]

I actually run separate partitions for my OS, software & data. Easiest way to do this without having to do repartition, OS & software reinstall is to use Partition Magic. It's a good bit of software & among other things, allows creation of new partiions within Windows OS.

 

[jj4091]

he did say system crash, not hd failure

Is there a difference if it won't re-boot?Or just the loss of files?

 

[JohnD]

HD failure (happens every few years, they all do it) will be total loss of system and all data.

For this reason I always strongly recommend data backup onto CDs.

You can use the wizard "Files And Settings Transfer" but there are plenty of ways.

Once a month is usually enough. You will usually want to back up mail logs, address book and My Documents most often.

 

[2scoops0406]

HD failure (happens every few years, they all do it) will be total loss of system and all data.

Mine's been going strong for over 10 Yea

 

[breezer]

he did say system crash, not hd failure

Is there a difference if it won't re-boot?Or just the loss of files?

yes the is a difference, friend of mines pc crashed i was on hols, they ended up with a new pc, but the hd is still fine, but as new pc had new hd, they lost all data (cos its still on the old hd)

and dont use partition magic, no need with xp, follow the link i gave, i have done it it works fine

oh as for back up to cd, dont bother gety a usb memeory stick, bigger faster quicker and reusable

 

[naebothernoo]

Thanks Breezer I tried that method, but the difference is that your previous post was using xp on a different disc what I am trying is to partition the disc that the operating system is on, so I think that partition magic is the only way to go. Although I would appreciate any other ideas

 

[Softus]

oh as for back up to cd, dont bother gety a usb memeory stick, bigger faster quicker and reusable

But not as reliable, and more prone to loss.

 

[breezer]

but you can accidentaly scratch a memory stick with no ill effects, you cant say that for a dvd or cd

 

[Softus]

You were advocating a memory stick for backing up purposes.

Whereas flash memory is ideal for quick copying and transport of files, it isn't isn't a wise choice of media for a backup of any importance, nor any other circumstances where it contains the only copy of important data other than temporarily.

 

[breezer]

mine are no problem, better than the zip discs i used to use. (mamagesd to wear one of those out)

also saw it on tv (must be true) they had a vbariety of memeory media, took a pic of each and stored it on said media.

so if you will the cd had a picture of the cd on it etc

they really gave them all some stick, and ketchup, and water and a cannon, they all got blown up (no surprise there then) but they found the guts of the memory stick, took it to a specialist company and they were able to view said picture of stick.