Partitioning stuff ...
I partitioned my disk into three chunks: A big piece for C: containing my Operating System; a tiny piece D: for my personal data and program development; and another big piece E: for images of C:. I used Partition Magic for creation and re-sizing: The sizing soon settles into a sweet spot and remains constant. I use Drive Image to make copies of my system: Creating takes about five minutes; restoring takes ten. The value of having a stable, correct, and comfortable copy of your system at hand cannot be overstated: When Windows gets cranky, correcting the mess can become a black-hole for time and effort. You need only restore your system once and you'll be well rewarded for the time, effort, and cost of acquiring and using the tools to make your backup(s). If you doubt this, scan the posts on this thread and you'll soon realize the extent of the nasty surprises which await you. Being prepared is your best defense.
If I absolutely had to compute without a partitioned drive and the software tools to exploit it fully, I'd dump Windows and return to DOS for the sake of my sanity. I couldn't endorse the idea more strongly.
Cheers, PW.
P.S. Disclaimer stuff... I mentioned a couple of PowerQuest tools. Others are available as well. I was pointed in PowerQuest's direction by participants of this thread, I acquired their tools, I'm happy with them, and I'm too lazy to learn new packages. I don't have any connection with PowerQuest beyond using their products. I also post frequently about Symantec's Norton Utility suite. Again, I not connected to this company beyond being a customer. However, I do own a position in Microsoft, but since I'm usually critical of them and their products on this thread, I don't feel my investments conflict with my posts very seriously.
Sorry about the length --- I get carried away easily. I need to vacuum today, and I procrastinate. I view my time on the computer as work too, and I fool myself out of guilt. |
