The bare minimum for an XP installation is 1.8gb. That allows Windows enough space to create swap files used for virtual memory. Dvd burning only takes a large amount of drive space when two things are present. The source file itself depending on type varies in size. Mpeg IIs average a ratio of 60mb per one minute of video playing time.
The amount of space needed for a primary/secondary split depends on how many programs will be installed as well as the size and volume of files kept on either partition. Mst softwares install to the default boot partition which would be the C drive there. The idea of creating a second partition is to store files or duplicates of files in case the need for reformatting or wiping the primary arises due to a some type of infection or change of OS. If a drive fails you still lose everything.
For backing a large amount of data and other things a secondary partition or second drive is often used as the temporary storage medium there. Permanent backups by cd-r or data dvd are then used.
Last edited by PC eye; 09-06-2006 at 08:24 PM.
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