A Little Problem

[bigdawgfoxx]

Ok I have like 40GB of stuff I want to back up and I need to reformat to use my HDD on my new computer. All I have is a CD burner and that would take like 70CDs and DAYS and DAYS and DAYS. Is there any other method of backing up my media to put onto my new computer... :(

[TheFilePirater]

buy a dvd burner

other than that no..unless..

your on a network, like another comp, since i have a small hdd, i use my bros laptop for temp storage..of course he doesnt kno yet :)

[muchspl2]

back up enough to partition the drive

[clocker]

The easiest method that I can think of would be to partition your old drive and move all the stuff you want to save to the new partition.
Then you can format/install Windows on C:drive without affecting the other partitions.

[bigdawgfoxx]

Originally posted by clocker@14 December 2003 - 11:39
The easiest method that I can think of would be to partition your old drive and move all the stuff you want to save to the new partition.
Then you can format/install Windows on C:drive without affecting the other partitions.
Good Idea..I dont really know how to partition..I dont like it I like to have everything on one part cuz I heard it runs faster...but it dont really matter to me. Also could I just take my HDD and put my stuff on a friends comp, then reformat my drive and put it back in his comp and copy the stuff back to my HDD with the new drivers and O/S installed for my new system?

[clocker]

Using Partition Magic the process is very simple, and IMO, almost idiot proof.
After all, I figured it out.
A further advantage of this is if, down the road, you encounter problems with Windows ( like that ever happens!), all your files are safe and secure in a separate space.
Obviously, this does not protect you from a HDD failure, only a software prob...

[lynx]

Originally posted by bigdawgfoxx+14 December 2003 - 16:53--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (bigdawgfoxx &#064; 14 December 2003 - 16:53)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-clocker@14 December 2003 - 11:39
The easiest method that I can think of would be to partition your old drive and move all the stuff you want to save to the new partition.
Then you can format/install Windows on C:drive without affecting the other partitions.
Good Idea..I dont really know how to partition..I dont like it I like to have everything on one part cuz I heard it runs faster...but it dont really matter to me. Also could I just take my HDD and put my stuff on a friends comp, then reformat my drive and put it back in his comp and copy the stuff back to my HDD with the new drivers and O/S installed for my new system? [/b][/quote]
Two or more partitions is just as fast, and often safer than one partition. It is dangerous to fill your system partition, so I always create two (or more) partitions, keeping the first just for the system and using the other(s) for data, especially downloads. Edit: this would be an ideal time to implement that sort of arrangement.

You can certainly install your drive into your friends machine for a short time. Configure it as either the slave drive on the primary ide channel, or if you don&#39;t want to mess with the jumpers simply connect it as the master drive on the secondary ide channel. Then proceed exactly as you&#39;ve suggested.

[bigdawgfoxx]

Allright guys thanks for all of your help&#33;&#33; I think I want to create 2 partitions and have all of my data on one and my windows stuff on the other...DIRECTIONS NEEDED&#33; lol Will I have to delete windows from the one partition where I have all of my data and then install it on the other partition..Im guessing the other partition just for windows will be very small..What about all of my program files..I want to get rid of all of those also when I install this HDD on my new system so the basic layout would be as follows:

Partition 1- Windows XP Pro SP1

Partition 2- All of my media (movies, mp3s, etc etc)

Where would all of my program files be and stuff..like when I click on my Local C: drive under my computer and it shows all of those folders..which partition would that be on?

[bigdawgfoxx]

Bu Bu Bu BUMP

[clocker]

Dawg,
All you need to do is create another partition. The size is up to you...my C: drive partition is 15GB. This will hold Windows and all the programs that you may run.
Everything else move to your other partition.
Move ONLY your files that you wish to save, i.e. movies, music, games, etc.
Leave Windows and all your system files where they are, they will be erased when you format and reinstall.
Then go ahead and reinstall XP just as you normally would.

[bigdawgfoxx]

Ahh alright I see..makes alot of since man..Ive been wanting to do this for a long time because I know its safer.

How big should my C: drive be? I dont install many programs, as of right now my Program Files are 8.4GB and 6.5 GB size on disk. Which number do I go by? Size or Size on disk? How much space will just windows take up on my C: drive with everything reformated and just Windows Xp Pro SP1 (dont need an exact number). Having 2 partitions wont slow down files or anything will it? I will just put Windows and program files and all that on one disk, and put all of my media and stuff im backing up on another one...correct?

[clocker]

Yes, that is correct.
You could probably get away fine with a C: drive of 10 GB.
Remember that your virtual memory will probably be on this partition also ( unless you move it to the other drive) and that will take some space, also, your defrag program needs some room to operate efficiently.

This still leaves you with 70GB to play with.
I would still recommend backing up data to CD as time permits.

Remember Murphy&#39;s Law...

[bigdawgfoxx]

Alright that sounds good man..Where can I get this partition Magic and what is the newest or best version?

Would I Defrag both of the partitions?

[DWk]

place to get it? k-lite

latest version? i think 8

about defrag? not sure

[tesco]

ya u defrag each partition seperately

[bigdawgfoxx]

Oh yeah,

Whats Murpheys law

and how long does it take to partition?

[bigdawgfoxx]

Ok I downloaded Partition Magic 8 Pro and when I unzipped it and all it came with like a whole bunch of files and crap...I got the setup and used it and it installed a bunch of other stuff..what do I do with the stuff that was unzipped originally?

Also, once I am at the program do I just click creat new partition? I only have like 25GB free and thats not enough to back up all of my stuff...so can it make a new partition outa stuff thats used or something..how exactly will this work..thanks for any help.

It says the maximum size is 15,000MBs and thats not enough room to backup all of my stuff...

4th damn edit..lol one more thing. It also says "create a backup partition"...thats not what im supposed to use is it?

[bigdawgfoxx]

CLOCKER HELP

[lynx]

Best option is to do what you originally suggested - save your data on your friends hdd.

THEN re-partition your drive (I think 15GB is about best for the system drive) and install your new system. And create a second partition for the rest of your disk.

Then restore your data from your friends hdd to the new partition.

[bigdawgfoxx]

Well the friend I would use is up at military school right now..so I would rather use the partition magic and create a separate thing for my stored data. Why does it says 15,000MB is the max?

Could I make it 15,000MB, and then move all my stuff to have more free on my other one, then make it bigger and move some more stuff, then make it bigger and store some more stuff. Is it easy to make a partition bigger after making it a certain size?

[bigdawgfoxx]

HELP I WANA DO THIS BEFORE I GO TO BED&#33; What should I do? I can onlyl make a 15GB partition..

[clocker]

Originally posted by bigdawgfoxx@14 December 2003 - 20:47
Well the friend I would use is up at military school right now..so I would rather use the partition magic and create a separate thing for my stored data.&nbsp; Why does it says 15,000MB is the max?

Could I make it 15,000MB, and then move all my stuff to have more free on my other one, then make it bigger and move some more stuff, then make it bigger and store some more stuff.&nbsp; Is it easy to make a partition bigger after making it a certain size?
Yes it is easy to resize a partition.
Your proposed method is awkward but useable.

Go for broke...

Edit: Murphy&#39;s Law= If something CAN go wrong, it WILL.

[bigdawgfoxx]

So I should just creat one that is 15GB then move stuff and make it bigger?

[clocker]

yup