program / data partitions...
hi - people often put operating system on one drive, or one partition, then everything else on another, for one main reason: to keep all of the pieces of the operating system files together geographically, without getting dispersed all across the hard drive.
you don't see this happen when you look at the file directory, like in 'explorer', but a file may be in many pieces across the hard drive. the 'file allocation table' (FAT) (you don't see this either, but it is there somewhere) keeps track of all of the pieces of each file. then , when you need the file, the FAT simply guides the computer to get to the pieces in order.
so, if you load windows, then you download some big video file, then you update something in windows, chances are that these are laid down in geographic order on that hard disc; in other words, you have your video file between differnt pieces of your operating system, geographically speaking.
the computer can run fine, but it will run slower - cuz the operating system pieces are tending to get scattered across time, so the computer has to go father to find them.
you can see this if you run a defragmenter that includes a visual display of where the various types of files are geographically located on the drive.
if you keep just operating system on one drive, or one partition, you greatly reduce how much this fragmentation happens.
i myself believe that I have seen problems from having operating system in one partition (c
, but programs on another (d
; it seems like programs don't update, or uninstall well. somehow i think it is because they have pieces in the d: drive, (or partition) but also on c: --because each program is throwing files in various parts of the operating system - drivers, dll files, icons, startup details, etc.
so, i myself load the operating system AND programs on one fast hard drive. and i defrag occasionally.
for my data files: things i write, my mp3s, my photographs, I keep those on a second partition.
I do this so I can easily back up my data.
if your operating system dies, you won't be able to simply re-load it form a simple back-up ; you will need to figure out a decent survival plan for the day when your operating system dies. If you are really good at computer stuff, and make sure to keep up with the current state of your system regularly, you can recover from most errors pretty well. but it will take time.
what you truly will want is your data files. chances are you could simply buy a new comp, reload your programs (MS Office, etc.) and just get back to work.....As long as you have your DATA easily accessible. or borrow someone's computer and get back to work.
by contrast, it takes a long time to reinstall windows, and figure out whether you STILL have the same problem that just killed your computer (super-aggravating when it is the video card - the comp can be running great, but the screen is totally locked - go figure that one out).
So, I put my data on a second partition. AND I simply COPY that data to another internal hard drive. in fact, i keep all my data i na folder called "backup." All data is in a subdirectory within that folder. So, if my comp dies, I can be back in business quickly simply by pulling this second hard drive out of my computer. I can either plug it inside another computre, or use a connector-thingie to connect it by usb to another computer. Now, I have a sata "docking station" that can connect any sata drive to any comp that has a usb.
I have this same system at work. I copy my 'backup' file to the network, and am backed up. i can also copy the 'backup' file to an external drive, and take it home, and have work backed up off-site, and accesible to me whether i am at work or not (we flooded here a few years ago and no one could get to any comp for a couple days).
so, that is why most people keep operating system on one partition. and why i keep operating system-plus programs on one partition, and data on another.
either way: back up often!
also - regarding saving/downloading: get your "my documents" to be "directed" to this other partition, and gets 'downloads' directed to the other partition. otherwise, they get directed to the c: partition.
