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Windows Vista File Management Issues or questions in relation to Vista's file management. (microsoft.public.windows.vista.file_management) |
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Changing default partition for storage of data in vista
The main drive to have a separate data partition (I have done so since 1992)
is that when (not IF) you have to either redo or return to a previous image of the operating system partition you do not lose your data. I have files I created in 1992. These files have survived many dozens of system redo's and returning to a previous state through the use of an imaging program. They have also survived upgrades, both physical and operating system, 6-8 times. Also, if you dual boot (many do so) you can access the data from any operating system you have on the computer "without" touching data in another system partition. I keep my data partition on a separate hard drive. I also have another separate hard drive for my system image files. I create an image every Friday evening as a standard. If something goes wrong with the O/S it takes me only 10-15 minutes to get back to precisely where I was the previous Friday. I also create a system image prior to installing any new software, in case the software ends up not to my liking. If I decide the new software is a keeper (new anti virus program for instance) I create yet another system image, over writing the one I created just prior to installing the new anti virus program. There are just so many good reasons to have multiple partitions and drives that I have to think that those who rail against the practice are either too lazy to set their computer up in this fashion or the intricacies of doing so are beyond their competence level. Every computer I work on for my few customers are delivered back to them with multiple partitions and I have moved all their data to a separate partition. I explain to the customer what I did and why I did it. They are all happy with the results. -- Richard Urban Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience "playIT@home" wrote in message ... I hate to dig up and old topic but I just got a new machine with Vista and want to create a data partition for all users so that when 7 arrives I can upgrade. I have heard and read that it is a good idea to separate the OS from user data file as that facilitates easier user backups and OS repair/install/upgrades. So, what is in the "D" partition whose folders are hidden on my new computer and should I leave it alone in favor of creating a new partition for user data? Thanks for taking my question. "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote: On Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:41:23 +0530, dgee wrote: What I want to know is how to set up the system so that data from all programs (e.g. Word documents, pdfs, excel files, photographs etc.) goes to partition (drive) D? There must be some mechanism for that. My home desktop computer which I am away from at the moment was built in 2003 (obviously in XP days) to contain two drives - a C drive for programs (40gb) and a separate D drive for data (120gb). I was advised to have it constructed like this in order to separate my large number of large photo files from the programs. I will give you the opposite advice. For most people I think that's a poor idea. There can sometimes be good reasons for doing that (see below), but if you are doing it with the thought that it safeguards your data, you are almost certainly making a very serious mistake. Doing that suggests that you do not do any backups, and it leaves you susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and backup to many of the most common dangers: hard drive crashes, severe power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, virus attacks, even theft of the computer. If your data is important to you, you need to protect it against all dangers by backup to external media. Separating it in a partition by itself is not real protection at all. I think the best reason for separating your data in a separate partition from the system is that your backup policy is to backup only data, and not create clones of the entire drive. If you backup your data only, then the backup is facilitated by being able to backup the entire data partition. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
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Changing default partition for storage of data in vista
The main drive to have a separate data partition (I have done so since 1992)
is that when (not IF) you have to either redo or return to a previous image of the operating system partition you do not lose your data. I have files I created in 1992. These files have survived many dozens of system redo's and returning to a previous state through the use of an imaging program. They have also survived upgrades, both physical and operating system, 6-8 times. Also, if you dual boot (many do so) you can access the data from any operating system you have on the computer "without" touching data in another system partition. I keep my data partition on a separate hard drive. I also have another separate hard drive for my system image files. I create an image every Friday evening as a standard. If something goes wrong with the O/S it takes me only 10-15 minutes to get back to precisely where I was the previous Friday. I also create a system image prior to installing any new software, in case the software ends up not to my liking. If I decide the new software is a keeper (new anti virus program for instance) I create yet another system image, over writing the one I created just prior to installing the new anti virus program. There are just so many good reasons to have multiple partitions and drives that I have to think that those who rail against the practice are either too lazy to set their computer up in this fashion or the intricacies of doing so are beyond their competence level. Every computer I work on for my few customers are delivered back to them with multiple partitions and I have moved all their data to a separate partition. I explain to the customer what I did and why I did it. They are all happy with the results. -- Richard Urban Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience "playIT@home" wrote in message ... I hate to dig up and old topic but I just got a new machine with Vista and want to create a data partition for all users so that when 7 arrives I can upgrade. I have heard and read that it is a good idea to separate the OS from user data file as that facilitates easier user backups and OS repair/install/upgrades. So, what is in the "D" partition whose folders are hidden on my new computer and should I leave it alone in favor of creating a new partition for user data? Thanks for taking my question. "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote: On Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:41:23 +0530, dgee wrote: What I want to know is how to set up the system so that data from all programs (e.g. Word documents, pdfs, excel files, photographs etc.) goes to partition (drive) D? There must be some mechanism for that. My home desktop computer which I am away from at the moment was built in 2003 (obviously in XP days) to contain two drives - a C drive for programs (40gb) and a separate D drive for data (120gb). I was advised to have it constructed like this in order to separate my large number of large photo files from the programs. I will give you the opposite advice. For most people I think that's a poor idea. There can sometimes be good reasons for doing that (see below), but if you are doing it with the thought that it safeguards your data, you are almost certainly making a very serious mistake. Doing that suggests that you do not do any backups, and it leaves you susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and backup to many of the most common dangers: hard drive crashes, severe power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, virus attacks, even theft of the computer. If your data is important to you, you need to protect it against all dangers by backup to external media. Separating it in a partition by itself is not real protection at all. I think the best reason for separating your data in a separate partition from the system is that your backup policy is to backup only data, and not create clones of the entire drive. If you backup your data only, then the backup is facilitated by being able to backup the entire data partition. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
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Changing default partition for storage of data in vista
On Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:34:48 -0400, "Richard Urban"
wrote: The main drive to have a separate data partition (I have done so since 1992) is that when (not IF) you have to either redo or return to a previous image of the operating system partition you do not lose your data. I strongly disagree with that statement for two reasons: 1. You say "when (not IF)," but if you do a good job of maintaining your system, that "when" normally never occurs. For example, I've run almost every version of Windows since 3.0, and I've *never* done this. 2. Protection against losing your data should be a strong and regular program of backup to an external device. Relying on its being on a separate partition is like playing with fire. You can lose the contents of the entire hard drive for a variety of reasons, starting with hard drive crashes. I have files I created in 1992. These files have survived many dozens of system redo's and returning to a previous state through the use of an imaging program. They have also survived upgrades, both physical and operating system, 6-8 times. Also, if you dual boot (many do so) you can access the data from any operating system you have on the computer "without" touching data in another system partition. Yes. As I said, those who dual-boot (perhaps many do, but as percentage of those running Windows, the number is tiny) need multiple partitions. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003 Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
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Changing default partition for storage of data in vista
On Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:34:48 -0400, "Richard Urban" wrote: The main drive to have a separate data partition (I have done so since 1992) is that when (not IF) you have to either redo or return to a previous image of the operating system partition you do not lose your data. I strongly disagree with that statement for two reasons: 1. You say "when (not IF)," but if you do a good job of maintaining your system, that "when" normally never occurs. For example, I've run almost every version of Windows since 3.0, and I've *never* done this. 2. Protection against losing your data should be a strong and regular program of backup to an external device. Relying on its being on a separate partition is like playing with fire. You can lose the contents of the entire hard drive for a variety of reasons, starting with hard drive crashes. I have files I created in 1992. These files have survived many dozens of system redo's and returning to a previous state through the use of an imaging program. They have also survived upgrades, both physical and operating system, 6-8 times. Also, if you dual boot (many do so) you can access the data from any operating system you have on the computer "without" touching data in another system partition. Yes. As I said, those who dual-boot (perhaps many do, but as percentage of those running Windows, the number is tiny) need multiple partitions. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003 Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
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Changing default partition for storage of data in vista
You have never installed beta software that has totally hosed your system? I
install beta software a few times a week for testing and some of the results are unrecoverable! -- Richard Urban Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in message ... On Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:34:48 -0400, "Richard Urban" wrote: The main drive to have a separate data partition (I have done so since 1992) is that when (not IF) you have to either redo or return to a previous image of the operating system partition you do not lose your data. I strongly disagree with that statement for two reasons: 1. You say "when (not IF)," but if you do a good job of maintaining your system, that "when" normally never occurs. For example, I've run almost every version of Windows since 3.0, and I've *never* done this. 2. Protection against losing your data should be a strong and regular program of backup to an external device. Relying on its being on a separate partition is like playing with fire. You can lose the contents of the entire hard drive for a variety of reasons, starting with hard drive crashes. I have files I created in 1992. These files have survived many dozens of system redo's and returning to a previous state through the use of an imaging program. They have also survived upgrades, both physical and operating system, 6-8 times. Also, if you dual boot (many do so) you can access the data from any operating system you have on the computer "without" touching data in another system partition. Yes. As I said, those who dual-boot (perhaps many do, but as percentage of those running Windows, the number is tiny) need multiple partitions. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003 Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
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Changing default partition for storage of data in vista
You have never installed beta software that has totally hosed your system? I
install beta software a few times a week for testing and some of the results are unrecoverable! -- Richard Urban Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in message ... On Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:34:48 -0400, "Richard Urban" wrote: The main drive to have a separate data partition (I have done so since 1992) is that when (not IF) you have to either redo or return to a previous image of the operating system partition you do not lose your data. I strongly disagree with that statement for two reasons: 1. You say "when (not IF)," but if you do a good job of maintaining your system, that "when" normally never occurs. For example, I've run almost every version of Windows since 3.0, and I've *never* done this. 2. Protection against losing your data should be a strong and regular program of backup to an external device. Relying on its being on a separate partition is like playing with fire. You can lose the contents of the entire hard drive for a variety of reasons, starting with hard drive crashes. I have files I created in 1992. These files have survived many dozens of system redo's and returning to a previous state through the use of an imaging program. They have also survived upgrades, both physical and operating system, 6-8 times. Also, if you dual boot (many do so) you can access the data from any operating system you have on the computer "without" touching data in another system partition. Yes. As I said, those who dual-boot (perhaps many do, but as percentage of those running Windows, the number is tiny) need multiple partitions. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003 Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
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Changing default partition for storage of data in vista
I did NOT say that I do not backup to an external drive. That was not part
of the discussion. -- Richard Urban Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in message ... On Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:34:48 -0400, "Richard Urban" wrote: The main drive to have a separate data partition (I have done so since 1992) is that when (not IF) you have to either redo or return to a previous image of the operating system partition you do not lose your data. I strongly disagree with that statement for two reasons: 1. You say "when (not IF)," but if you do a good job of maintaining your system, that "when" normally never occurs. For example, I've run almost every version of Windows since 3.0, and I've *never* done this. 2. Protection against losing your data should be a strong and regular program of backup to an external device. Relying on its being on a separate partition is like playing with fire. You can lose the contents of the entire hard drive for a variety of reasons, starting with hard drive crashes. I have files I created in 1992. These files have survived many dozens of system redo's and returning to a previous state through the use of an imaging program. They have also survived upgrades, both physical and operating system, 6-8 times. Also, if you dual boot (many do so) you can access the data from any operating system you have on the computer "without" touching data in another system partition. Yes. As I said, those who dual-boot (perhaps many do, but as percentage of those running Windows, the number is tiny) need multiple partitions. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003 Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
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Changing default partition for storage of data in vista
I did NOT say that I do not backup to an external drive. That was not part
of the discussion. -- Richard Urban Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in message ... On Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:34:48 -0400, "Richard Urban" wrote: The main drive to have a separate data partition (I have done so since 1992) is that when (not IF) you have to either redo or return to a previous image of the operating system partition you do not lose your data. I strongly disagree with that statement for two reasons: 1. You say "when (not IF)," but if you do a good job of maintaining your system, that "when" normally never occurs. For example, I've run almost every version of Windows since 3.0, and I've *never* done this. 2. Protection against losing your data should be a strong and regular program of backup to an external device. Relying on its being on a separate partition is like playing with fire. You can lose the contents of the entire hard drive for a variety of reasons, starting with hard drive crashes. I have files I created in 1992. These files have survived many dozens of system redo's and returning to a previous state through the use of an imaging program. They have also survived upgrades, both physical and operating system, 6-8 times. Also, if you dual boot (many do so) you can access the data from any operating system you have on the computer "without" touching data in another system partition. Yes. As I said, those who dual-boot (perhaps many do, but as percentage of those running Windows, the number is tiny) need multiple partitions. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003 Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
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Changing default partition for storage of data in vista
On Thu, 1 Oct 2009 16:09:35 -0400, "Richard Urban"
wrote: You have never installed beta software that has totally hosed your system? I install beta software a few times a week for testing and some of the results are unrecoverable! No, I never have (at least not on anything but a spare system). And one of my standard recommendations here in the newsgroups is that nobody do so unless they do it on a spare, non-critical system. "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in message ... On Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:34:48 -0400, "Richard Urban" wrote: The main drive to have a separate data partition (I have done so since 1992) is that when (not IF) you have to either redo or return to a previous image of the operating system partition you do not lose your data. I strongly disagree with that statement for two reasons: 1. You say "when (not IF)," but if you do a good job of maintaining your system, that "when" normally never occurs. For example, I've run almost every version of Windows since 3.0, and I've *never* done this. 2. Protection against losing your data should be a strong and regular program of backup to an external device. Relying on its being on a separate partition is like playing with fire. You can lose the contents of the entire hard drive for a variety of reasons, starting with hard drive crashes. I have files I created in 1992. These files have survived many dozens of system redo's and returning to a previous state through the use of an imaging program. They have also survived upgrades, both physical and operating system, 6-8 times. Also, if you dual boot (many do so) you can access the data from any operating system you have on the computer "without" touching data in another system partition. Yes. As I said, those who dual-boot (perhaps many do, but as percentage of those running Windows, the number is tiny) need multiple partitions. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003 Please Reply to the Newsgroup -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003 Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
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Changing default partition for storage of data in vista
On Thu, 1 Oct 2009 16:09:35 -0400, "Richard Urban" wrote: You have never installed beta software that has totally hosed your system? I install beta software a few times a week for testing and some of the results are unrecoverable! No, I never have (at least not on anything but a spare system). And one of my standard recommendations here in the newsgroups is that nobody do so unless they do it on a spare, non-critical system. "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in message ... On Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:34:48 -0400, "Richard Urban" wrote: The main drive to have a separate data partition (I have done so since 1992) is that when (not IF) you have to either redo or return to a previous image of the operating system partition you do not lose your data. I strongly disagree with that statement for two reasons: 1. You say "when (not IF)," but if you do a good job of maintaining your system, that "when" normally never occurs. For example, I've run almost every version of Windows since 3.0, and I've *never* done this. 2. Protection against losing your data should be a strong and regular program of backup to an external device. Relying on its being on a separate partition is like playing with fire. You can lose the contents of the entire hard drive for a variety of reasons, starting with hard drive crashes. I have files I created in 1992. These files have survived many dozens of system redo's and returning to a previous state through the use of an imaging program. They have also survived upgrades, both physical and operating system, 6-8 times. Also, if you dual boot (many do so) you can access the data from any operating system you have on the computer "without" touching data in another system partition. Yes. As I said, those who dual-boot (perhaps many do, but as percentage of those running Windows, the number is tiny) need multiple partitions. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003 Please Reply to the Newsgroup -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003 Please Reply to the Newsgroup |