Partition Fun

This is kind of a combo hardware/software issue.

I recently purchased a computer, which arrived with a partition labeled as a backup drive. I'm not crazy about the fact that the backup partition takes up a huge portion of the hard drive space, but I'm trying to avoid the hassle of reformatting.

My idea is to use the "backup" drive to store my media: music, videos, etc. and run my programs and keep documents on the main drive/partition. Will I have a problem using the media files on the backup partition? For example, if I store my "Lost" episodes on the backup drive/partition, will Itunes (on the main drive/partition) be able to access them for its library and play them? Same with audio programs?

Any advice would be great.

 

Does the backup drive have any data on it? Chances are that it may have drivers and other utilities that it needs to revert the pc back to initial settings, I know HP do these with PCs and Laptops, you just insert the disc that it came with and some things install from that drive.

So if this is the case, I wouldn't touch the drive, if not then have a look to see what's on it!

Also, if you reinstalled to another partition then any data shouldn't be lost from the backup partition, so long as you didn't format it in windows setup!

 

mcadam pretty much said it all. BUT- theoretically, you could create a folder on the backup partition, call this folder 'My Media' or something, and then put your stuff in that folder, keeping it seperate from any system backup files that may be on there. Also, if you had to move your media files, having them all in one folder would make it a whole lot easier.

hopperdave2000

 

I'm not sure I follow. Do you mean I shouldn't save any files on the backup drive/partion, which DOES contain a single folder containing cab files? Unfortunately, that would leave me with 144GB of space that I can't use. Obviously, that is not going to work for me. If that's the case, I will probably just do a complete reformat, delete the partition, perhaps create a smaller backup partition (or not) and reinstall. I'm hoping that will be possible with the recovery disk that came with my computer (any insight on this would help me).

The other issue, which I brought up in my first post, I'm still unclear about. If music and video files were stored on the backup drive/partition and the software to play them was located on the main drive/partition, would the software be able to "see" and play the files?

 

What would be the issue with storing other files on the backup drive/partion?

 

"If music and video files were stored on the backup drive/partition and the software to play them was located on the main drive/partition, would the software be able to "see" and play the files?"

Yes. As long as the O/S or application knows where to "find" the files, they can be stored on any accessable partition. If there is adequate free space to hold these files they can be placed anywhere the user account/system has access.

If all you have for the O/S are the manufacturers "restore" CD(s), then I would leave this backup partition/drive in place.

If you have full or upgrade (Microsoft) CD's for the O/S install, then you don't need this partition. If you have an upgrade CD, you will need to insert a previous MS O/S CD during the install as proof of a previous Windows "purchase".

If you install without the manufacturers CD's, you may need to seek out drivers which MS may not have as "basic/stock workable" drivers for the hardware.

 

The backup partition is 144gb?!?!?! That seems way too big for a backup or restore partition. They're usually under 10gb...

hopperdave2000

 

Thank you. Your response was VERY helpful and answered many of the questions that I had.

I would like to reformat the drive and the company I bought the computer from swears that the disk I received is a full OEM version of Windows, even though it's labeled "recovery disk", so I'm not sure what to think (I guess I'll find out when I try to reformat and delete the partition).

I do have the disks for my mobo and video card, but the funny thing is they aren't made for Vista, so I already downloaded those drivers for Vista and will, of course, back them up before I reformat. The only thing I'm not sure about is the SATA driver. I remember having to install them manually on an XP machine when I installed Windows, but I'm thinking Vista might already have those built in. I will do some research on that before I reformat.

If you have any other insight or advice, I would appreciate it.

 

I know, isn't that crazy?! If it was a small partition, I wouldn't bother with it.

 

Perhaps you could supply some basic information about the pc and operating system.

First Very Important is the pc configured with any sort of RAID?

Second VIQ has a large hard drive been partitioned on another system to get around the 137GB limit?

Like who made it?, was it a custom order? What hard drives does it have and how are they partitioned. Is or was there any intention to connect to any sort of network?

That said

I see no reason for not using the backup partition either as a data partition in its own right or for backup since someone has so conveniently provided it (and a jolly good idea I think).

Most manufacturers not only provide the recovery data on hard drive they also provide a program you can click on to write your own recovery CDs or DVDs You should do this soon. Then whether the data is available on the hard drive or not it will be safe. tha tis you could conceivably remove it from the hard drive to plastic and put it back if you ever need it.


Studio T

 

"... the company I bought the computer from swears that the disk I received is a full OEM version of Windows, even though it's labeled "recovery disk", so I'm not sure what to think..."

If it was a "full OEM" CD (ie; Microsoft Windows 98/2000/XP) there wouldn't be a need/requirement for the "backup" partition. (Unless this partition houses only drivers for the O/S.) If the partition is indeed 144 GB (which I can't fathom), it would house all the O/S's and drivers to run the entire U.S. National Defence System computers. Well, maybe/almost. ;>)

You've eluded to running (or loading) Vista. If this is the case, the backup partition is certainly? pre-Vista, and not required.

I'm currently reading my eWEEK magazine about Vista's bug exploits via drivers. ("Will Vista Swat Bugs?" - March 19, 2007, Vol. 24, No. 10) It's about how hackers gain system access via drivers. I'll finish it as time permits and check back.

 

This is a solitary hard drive, so no RAID configuration.

I bought it from ibuypower, so it was customized and I have no idea how, where or why they partitioned the drive. I should add that the computer was purchased in the last few weeks, so it doesn't have any old components that should have a problem with a large hard drive. I won't bore you with the specs unless you need more details. The drive is a 250 GB SATA-2 drive and there are/were no plans to network it.

What some of the benefits of using the partition to store data? I'm just worried about keeping track of where all of my files are scattered. I like to keep things consolidated and organized in not too many locations.

I'm also getting contrasting advice about whether to store information on the partition in addition to the folder containing cab files.

I'm not too concerned about backing up data. I already use an external hard drive for that, as the only need I've ever had to recover data was due to a hard drive failure.

 

If your data is on another partition or drive you will not loose it if (when) Windows falls over. I note your external HD. good stuff.
Second your data does not usually need so much defragging etc as does a windows/program drive so getting thedata out of the way is good on that score too.

I'd still copy off the cab files, thats why they gave them too you. What about the manufacturers recovery?

Studio T

 

After my last reply, I started looking around on the Web for more info on partitioning, and I'm thinking that keeping the programs on the main partition/drive and my data, music, video, etc. on the other partition/drive sounds like a good plan.

How would I access that manufacturer's recovery program that you referred to? I'm still not exactly understanding why I'd need anything other than my Windows installation disk and driver files backed up to another medium (and, of course, a good backup of my data), if anything was to go wrong. What do those cab files do?

 

I did ask and you didn't tell us so I had to guess/ speak in generalities.

Most of the large manufacturers (Compaq, Dell, HP, Emachines, Toshiba...)
place the necessary information to reinstall Windows onto the hard drive these days. Some put it on a separate partition. Different manufacturers give different ways of accessing this information, some (toshiba) give you a boot floppy, some expect you to make your own, but put a program on the main installation to lead you through this (HP). Some simply put the stuff on another partition and also on a cd if you ask (Dell).

You will have to ask your supplier how their system works.

Whatever way they do it you will require a means of controlling (booting ) the computer if you do not have windows (i.e.windows is dead). Hence the Boot floppy or Boot CD. It makes sense to get one before you are in trouble, rather than after Windows has fallen over.

I always recommend partitioning the drive for reasons already outlined, it is normal practise in industry. It also allows a simple way of making backups as for most users the data drive requirement is much smaller than Windows+programs+workspace. there have been several threads abou this subject just lately in the software forum.

FYI have a look at your windows disk - it is stuffed full of cab files. These are an effiecient method of storing lots of small files needed for install or whatever - a sort of microsoft zip.
Perhaps they are the Windows stuff + drivers. Again ask your supplier.


Studio T

 

Those cab(inet) files house the software/drivers for a "restore" O/S load. They are "pointed to" during a restore load. The restore media (floppies/CD's) will usually have something on them stating "Use this (floppy/CD) first". The install process knows where the cabinet files are (hidden partition) and sources them during the restore process.

"I'm thinking that keeping the programs on the main partition/drive and my data, music, video, etc. on the other partition/drive sounds like a good plan."

Always a good plan. That way you can "reload/restore" the O/S/applications/programs and still have those (backup) files to run on the above.

I have seven working machines at home and I keep just the O/S and dependant programs (programs which write entries to the registry) loaded on the O/S partition. Any "stand-alone" programs (programs/applications which don't rely on the O/S writing to the registry) are always kept on a seperate partition.

 

You are a godsend. Thank you for explaining this simply.

Since the folder with the cab files is there, does that indicate that my recovery cd is not a full OEM Windows installation disk? Or are the cab files for drivers that can be installed after the Windows install? Meaning are the drivers necessary for Windows installation?

The reason I'm asking is because anytime I've ever installed or reinstalled (after reformatting) Windows before, I've never needed drivers during the Windows install, with the exception of SATA drivers for Windows XP. All other drivers were installed after Windows was installed. That way all I needed was a blank formatted hard drive and a Windows installation disk. Plus, if I reinstall at any time in the future, I would want to download the latest drivers and not rely on whatever was originally installed on my pc.

The only case where this would probably be relevant would be if I decided to eliminate the extra partition, which seems unlikely now that I know you can reformat an individual partition without touching another one. However, I would just like to know how this stuff works for future reference.

 

My specs are as follows, if it will help:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ cpu
MSI K9N4 SLI-F mobo
1024MB DDR2-800 PC6400 RAM
250 GB SATA-2 hard drive
EVGA NVIDIA GeForce 7600GS 256MB video card
loaded with Vista Home Premium

I'm thinking that maybe the easiest way to figure out what the deal is with the recovery cd they gave me is to stick it in and see what options it gives me, since I'm familiar with how a Windows installation disk is supposed to work.

 

On the CD look for the file

setupp.ini

It will be in the i386 file if it exists

Open the file with notepad and look at the line beginning

PID=

The last three characters determine the type of XP disk

335 = Retail upgrade, or full
OEM = OEM
none=recovery
270 =volume

This file may also appear on the hard drive but there is no guarantee that it is the same as the one on your CD.

 

Perfect! Thank you so much. I will try that tonight.

 

Well, I took a look at the cd and couldn't find any setupp.ini file. The only file that had "setup" in it was setup.exe. I also couldn't find any ini files.

I'm at a loss.

 

I' m sorry I've been reading all this thread again carefully and I've just discovered you have WINDOWS VISTA (POST 18 we did ask a long way back). I don't know if this is native or an upgrade.

All the stuff that's been posted is relevant to WINDOWS XP and below.

GO BACK TO YOUR SUPPLIER AND GET THEM TO EXPLAIN YOUR RECOVERY PROCEDURE, preferably in writing.


Studio T

 

Vista was eluded to in post 8 (& 11). As I stated, unless this machine came preloaded with Vista, this hidden partition is probably not requred.

 

It actually did come with Vista preloaded. However, thanks to your advice, I think I will just keep the partition.

I finally just stuck the recovery cd in to find out once and for all whether it was a Windows disk or not. I was very relieved to find out that it is, indeed, a Windows disk and not a preset restore disk (sorry if I'm using the wrong terminology). The interface is pretty cool, too, for Vista compared to XP and even has a detailed section explaining how to do everything from an upgrade to a clean install to reformatting and partitioning. Another point for Vista.

I want to thank you and studiot again for all of the time you spent helping me with this issue. I'm always trying to expand my knowledge and this board is a great resource for that.

BTW, I will be starting a new hardware thread about a different issue if anyone is interested in advising.

 

Glad you're getting things sorted out.

 

Excellent work. Easy to understand.