I Have 2 hard disks: 60GB and 160GB. Getting ready to reload with XP Pro. Any suggestions on how to partition? Is it true that if OS is in own partition, then later if I ever have to reload OS, the other partitions are unaffected? Should Program Files folder be on same or different partition or does it matter? I guess if I ever reload OS I would have to reload programs anyway, right? Thanks for assistance!

If your OS is on it's own partition and your programs on another, you can reinstall the OS without reinstalling the programs, provided that you first export the registry then import it once you have the OS up and running. The problem with doing this is that you may be importing previous problems that were in the registry. Use a good registry cleaner before you export to lessen the chances of importing existing problems.

Hey Your question can get tricky I have XP on it's own partition and install ALL programs(Office,etc.), to another partition. One thing this does is keeps the OS running faster. I have 80 gigs split 7 ways. I have 98 and XP installed. If I reload both 98 and XP I still have all of my programs installed on the other partitions. What I do is explore the drive I have the program installed to and send the exe. icon to my desktop as a shortcut and then I can run the program without reinstalling it. If you don't know about XP's built in partition function, right click on My Computer/manage/disk management. From there you can split up the second hard drive into as many partitions as you wish. I suggest, songs, movies, programs, etc. I you need help or have any questions feel free to Email me.

Sorry Sci-Guy but I have to call you on this one... Many many programs copy files into the C:\windows and C:\windows\system32 folders. Therefore just having the data from the program files folder will not work for a lot of software out there.

Ripdivx, Of course, you are right. I wasn't trying to suggest that the practice of using a different partition for software would enable the user to reinstall only the OS. I was merely pointing out one possible problem that may be encountered. You have raised yet another possible problem, and I'm sure there are many more. I personally have never tried to do what has been asked here. I install my OS, then my software, then make a ghost image to backup the installations. Restoring the image restores my OS and apps in one action. I apologise if my intent was not clear. The first sentence of my previous reply was meant to appear sarcastic. I guess it's difficult to express this in writing.

Actually I'm gonna call Ripdivx on this one: "Sorry Sci-Guy but I have to call you on this one... Many many programs copy files into the C:\windows and C:\windows\system32 folders. Therefore just having the data from the program files folder will not work for a lot of software out there." These are windows system directories, and unless the software is updating system software or adding libraries and other functionality, they have no right to put stuff here if they don't want it modified. Today good software does exist which will keep this in mind, and even Windows File Protection was implemented to prevent applications like the one RipDivx suggested from causing havoc at this scale. This is one of the reasons XP is more stable than previous version of windows. Now....this does not stop one from taking a Win98 app and installing it in XP, and doing this exact problem, but better apps will avoid this. Using MSI or better installation tools can also work more effectively at installing needed files where they won't interfere. Just my nitpick =) J. Just say no to C:\!