Suggestions for partitions?

[M4LFUNCT10N]

Okay, so I'm in the process of burning all my MP3's/videos/documents to CD's. When I'm done, I'm going to reformat and reinstall XP(again!).

I want a few partitions, but I don't know how much space for each.

1st partition for XP
2nd partition for Linux
3rd partition for documents/mp3's/whatever.

So... I know most programs need to be installed on the primary partition(MS office, etc). What about games? I need to determine what is the best arrangement. My laptop has a total of 30GB. Only 27.9GB of useable space though. I have no idea how much I should reserve for Linux.

Thoughts?

[DiscoDave]

How much you assign to Linux will probably depend on how much you plan on using it. =)

There are utilities out there that will resize the partitions on the fly, so I'd probably start pretty small...say...7 gigs on Linux.

What's your motive for the third partition? Why not just use the first?

[M4LFUNCT10N]

I was trying to think ahead. In case I have to reinstall again, that way I don't have to burn everything to CD. But I guess, if Just swap files between the two partitions I should be fine. I doub't I'd ever be reformating both partitions at the same time.

Programs that reformat on the fly? Does that work with the primary partition? Can I just change my current partition rather than reformat all over again? What would you suggest?

[Excessive]

Partition Magic is the program I have had the best luck with. But its kind of spendy for a program that you will rarely use. You can change the size of partitions, make new partitions, and change drive letters. It also has some boot management tools too I believe.

You might find it cheaper online. I think its $80 at most retail stores.

Keep in mind, if you only do 2 partitions you will not be able to access or change files on the Linux partition from within Windows. Windows does not recognize the file format that Linux uses.

You might want to stick with the versions of Linux that boot and run from the CD. If all you just want to play around and learn a bit. With a dual boot system Linux will install a boot manager (often called Lilo I believe) that has a tendancy to stick around even after you uninstall Linux.

[M4LFUNCT10N]

Problem though. I need to install drivers and other stuff for my USB WiFi adapter. I really don't want to install the drivers each time. I figure it would be easiest to install it to the HD.

[DiscoDave]

Back when I was more interested in partitions, I used Partition Manager and it worked well considering it was $30 cheaper than Partition Magic.

[Tha[\]atos]

the only programs that must be on the primary partition(c:)are the ones installed by windows and a few that don't allow you to select the install directory.

My partition/drive scheme is usually this:
c: Windows only (ok except for the programs mentioned above)
d: Programs Only
E: Downloads and data

this way if I need to format/reinstall I only loose windows. I still have to reinstall most programs but they tend to keep their data this way. Some programs (photoshop, insert ID game here) don't even need a reinstall. They'll play just fine without it.

f-disk format reinstall, do-da, do-da

[M4LFUNCT10N]

Well, I've got all my important files saved. I think I'll just reformat. I'm too cheap to pay for a program to do what I can do on my own.

C: 18GB
D: 7GB
E: 3GB

18 for normal use
7 for Linux fun
3 for safe keeping of files.

[ghrogels]

there is a version of linux that uses NTFS (the format that WinNT, Win2k, and WinXP use). go to linuxiso.org (http://www.linuxiso.org) to have a look about for it. So that XP and Linux can live happily together (haha).

[M4LFUNCT10N]

Reinstallation done. Now I just have to reinstall all my drivers/apps. And I'm NOT looking forward to reinstalling UT2k4. That took forever. Not to mention the defrag afterwards!