160 GB HDD Partition setup advise

[Nick_Escalantes]

hey guys, i'm putting together a new build w/ a 160 Gig HDD SATA as the only drive. I will be installing XP PRO on it. I've been reading about partitioning these larger drives, since I'm used to old 10 GB drives...

From what I have read, people say to partition the 1st for the OS and a 2nd for software, games, mp3s etc..., Any advise or recomendations would be appreciated as to the setup. thanks.

 

[PC eye]

Generally a second partition is added in order to backup and store files there in case the OS primary has to be reformatted for some reason and Windows installed fresh all over again. A Second partition can also be used for dual booting one version of Windows with another or a totally diferent OS then Windows.

To provide one example even while there are multiple drives in use you can see how splitting a drive then sees a new logical drive then added and given a drive letter.



As you look there not the first but second and third are two versions of Windows on one drive(Vista/XP dual boot) and the fourth and fifth show the OS(Vista) on the 4th while the 5th is simply for storing files for safekeeping and to keep the first partition on that drive from filling up to fast.