Infections spreading

[Yoh]

I want to partition my HDD into 2 sections so that all my data is on one side and the OS(XP) is on the other. Now if the registry becomes infected, will it be quarantined to the OS side of the HDD or will it spread and infect my other programs on the other partition?

Also. I have a second HDD I use. I want to do the same thing but this one is going to be used for experimenting with using coding, programs, ect. so it will be open to vulnerabilities. Now my question here is, if my experimenting HDD gets messed up by something and screws the OS up, will it also infection my other HDD and OS set up on that one?

 

[PC eye]

First of all any partition or drive other then the host drive/partition will be isolated until any contaminated file(s) are copied to it. Once a virus or other malware is identified you generally have to replace system files and delete others to prevent further spread. If you are unable to save the current installation of the OS there that partition is reformatted without direct effect on the health of any others. When going to reinstall the host OS it will detect any other older version on the other drive/partition and include that in it's boot loader. Vista seems to refuse to install to second paritions for some reason.

When dual OSing a system the latest or simply newer version is installed last since that is an upgrade. If you have XP on a second drive or partition and 2000 or ME is removed from the host due to a virus infection you will have to boot XP on a second drive by selecting that drive in the F8 boot menu or assign it as the first in the boot order since the boot record for the host OS is lost. On a second partition XP would have to see a repair install to see the reinstalled 2000 re-entered into the boot options again. If your second drive is infected you simply reformat it and reinstall Windows if a newer version to see a dual boot configuration restored without any other effects on the host drive.

If you don't want the host OS's boot loader changed and plan to isolate each drive you would unplug one to install the OS on the other. They are then completely isolated until files are transferred to and from where the risk of spread is then present.

 

[softe]

partitioned drivers will remain clean and uninfected unless its a wicked virus that crawls into all the drives including your partition, but haven't seen that my self before.