divided harddisk

How do you use the two parts of the hard disk to save your files. Do you use
them simultaniously or do you fill up one and than use the other one?
Or is the second part (DATA) not to be used to store personal files?

Hello,

you can use them as you like. If the parts were made for a special purpose,
then use them for that. I have a back-up partition if my first partition has
an error. On another, I save my pictures and camera images. So, I'd say
simultaneously.

Hope this helps.
Greetings,
P. Di Stolfo
--
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
// http://blog.lysorp.com - small Windows Blog in German language
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Aafje" <> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:453452B9-57D4-4F8D-BC80-...
> How do you use the two parts of the hard disk to save your files. Do you
> use
> them simultaniously or do you fill up one and than use the other one?
> Or is the second part (DATA) not to be used to store personal files?
>

Thanks. But in this case the two parts were allready installed on my computer
when I bought it. One is the VISTA part the other is named DATA. My other
computer is runnign XP and the disk isn't divided. So I wasn't sure how to
use it. There is 'open space' on both parts.

"P. Di Stolfo" wrote:

> Hello,
>
> you can use them as you like. If the parts were made for a special purpose,
> then use them for that. I have a back-up partition if my first partition has
> an error. On another, I save my pictures and camera images. So, I'd say
> simultaneously.
>
> Hope this helps.
> Greetings,
> P. Di Stolfo
> --
> //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> // http://blog.lysorp.com - small Windows Blog in German language
> //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> "Aafje" <> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
> news:453452B9-57D4-4F8D-BC80-...
> > How do you use the two parts of the hard disk to save your files. Do you
> > use
> > them simultaniously or do you fill up one and than use the other one?
> > Or is the second part (DATA) not to be used to store personal files?
> >

Is there anything on the 'data' partition? In particular there doesn't
happen to be an imaged copy of your operating system lying there at all?
Check the partitions size and how much space is currently used.

If it simply is a Data partition then I would use it to store backup copies
of the files you create. I have two hard drives. The first hard drive
contains Windows Vista along with all my applications. The second houses a
regularly updated image of drive 1 and backup copies of everything in the
Documents folder etc.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

"Aafje" <> wrote in message
news:5C4DF6A3-DD82-4B66-934B-...
> Thanks. But in this case the two parts were allready installed on my
> computer
> when I bought it. One is the VISTA part the other is named DATA. My other
> computer is runnign XP and the disk isn't divided. So I wasn't sure how to
> use it. There is 'open space' on both parts.
>
> "P. Di Stolfo" wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> you can use them as you like. If the parts were made for a special
>> purpose,
>> then use them for that. I have a back-up partition if my first partition
>> has
>> an error. On another, I save my pictures and camera images. So, I'd say
>> simultaneously.
>>
>> Hope this helps.
>> Greetings,
>> P. Di Stolfo
>> --
>> //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> // http://blog.lysorp.com - small Windows Blog in German language
>> //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> "Aafje" <> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
>> news:453452B9-57D4-4F8D-BC80-...
>> > How do you use the two parts of the hard disk to save your files. Do
>> > you
>> > use
>> > them simultaniously or do you fill up one and than use the other one?
>> > Or is the second part (DATA) not to be used to store personal files?
>> >

"Aafje" <> wrote in message
news:5C4DF6A3-DD82-4B66-934B-...
> Thanks. But in this case the two parts were allready installed on my
> computer
> when I bought it. One is the VISTA part the other is named DATA. My other
> computer is runnign XP and the disk isn't divided. So I wasn't sure how to
> use it. There is 'open space' on both parts.
>
> "P. Di Stolfo" wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> you can use them as you like. If the parts were made for a special
>> purpose,
>> then use them for that. I have a back-up partition if my first partition
>> has
>> an error. On another, I save my pictures and camera images. So, I'd say
>> simultaneously.
>>
>> Hope this helps.
>> Greetings,
>> P. Di Stolfo
>> --
>> //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> // http://blog.lysorp.com - small Windows Blog in German language
>> //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> "Aafje" <> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
>> news:453452B9-57D4-4F8D-BC80-...
>> > How do you use the two parts of the hard disk to save your files. Do
>> > you
>> > use
>> > them simultaniously or do you fill up one and than use the other one?
>> > Or is the second part (DATA) not to be used to store personal files?
>> >
More than likely, the partition called "DATA" is your computer's recovery
partition. Read the documentation that came with your computer to determine
if that is the case or contact your computer manufacturer's tech support.
If in fact, it is your system's recovery partition, it should not be used as
it is their to provide you with a means of restoring your system to factory
fresh condition in the event of some system problem.

You can certainly create other partitions, add internal or external hard
drives for the purpose of backing up or otherwise saving your data it you
should not use the recovery partition for this purpose.

--
Michael Solomon
Backup is a PC user's best friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

On the DATA part is just one file. A TAG -file. Only 330 MB is used.
But thank you for taking the trouble, trying to help me. I will probably use
the DATA part to store back ups.

"John Barnett MVP" wrote:

> Is there anything on the 'data' partition? In particular there doesn't
> happen to be an imaged copy of your operating system lying there at all?
> Check the partitions size and how much space is currently used.
>
> If it simply is a Data partition then I would use it to store backup copies
> of the files you create. I have two hard drives. The first hard drive
> contains Windows Vista along with all my applications. The second houses a
> regularly updated image of drive 1 and backup copies of everything in the
> Documents folder etc.
>
> --
> John Barnett MVP
> Associate Expert
> Windows - Shell/User
>
> Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
> Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
>
> The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
> kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
> reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
> any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
> use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
> mail/post..
>
> "Aafje" <> wrote in message
> news:5C4DF6A3-DD82-4B66-934B-...
> > Thanks. But in this case the two parts were allready installed on my
> > computer
> > when I bought it. One is the VISTA part the other is named DATA. My other
> > computer is runnign XP and the disk isn't divided. So I wasn't sure how to
> > use it. There is 'open space' on both parts.
> >
> > "P. Di Stolfo" wrote:
> >
> >> Hello,
> >>
> >> you can use them as you like. If the parts were made for a special
> >> purpose,
> >> then use them for that. I have a back-up partition if my first partition
> >> has
> >> an error. On another, I save my pictures and camera images. So, I'd say
> >> simultaneously.
> >>
> >> Hope this helps.
> >> Greetings,
> >> P. Di Stolfo
> >> --
> >> //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >> // http://blog.lysorp.com - small Windows Blog in German language
> >> //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >>
> >> "Aafje" <> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
> >> news:453452B9-57D4-4F8D-BC80-...
> >> > How do you use the two parts of the hard disk to save your files. Do
> >> > you
> >> > use
> >> > them simultaniously or do you fill up one and than use the other one?
> >> > Or is the second part (DATA) not to be used to store personal files?
> >> >
>
>

Thanks, I will certainly do that. If it is my systems recovery partition, I
should make a copy of al my computers' installations details and put them on
the DATA part?

"Michael Solomon" wrote:

>> >> >
> More than likely, the partition called "DATA" is your computer's recovery
> partition. Read the documentation that came with your computer to determine
> if that is the case or contact your computer manufacturer's tech support.
> If in fact, it is your system's recovery partition, it should not be used as
> it is their to provide you with a means of restoring your system to factory
> fresh condition in the event of some system problem.
>
> You can certainly create other partitions, add internal or external hard
> drives for the purpose of backing up or otherwise saving your data it you
> should not use the recovery partition for this purpose.
>
> --
> Michael Solomon
> Backup is a PC user's best friend
> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>

"Aafje" <> wrote in message
news:26C2B1CD-05C7-408D-ABD9-...

> On the DATA part is just one file. A TAG -file. Only 330 MB is used.
> But thank you for taking the trouble, trying to help me. I will probably
> use
> the DATA part to store back ups.


If I were you, I would rethink that plan to backup to a second partition.
It's better than no backup at all, but just barely.
I don't recommend backup to a second non-removable hard drive because it
leaves you susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and backup to
many of the most common dangers: severe power glitches, nearby lightning
strikes, virus attacks, even theft of the computer. A second partition on
your only drive is even worse, since to that list you can add head crashes
and other hard drive failures.



In my view, secure backup needs to be on removable media, and not kept in
the computer. For really secure backup (needed, for example, if the life of
your business depends on your data) you should have multiple generations of
backup, and at least one of those generations should be stored off-site.


--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup


>
> "John Barnett MVP" wrote:
>
>> Is there anything on the 'data' partition? In particular there doesn't
>> happen to be an imaged copy of your operating system lying there at all?
>> Check the partitions size and how much space is currently used.
>>
>> If it simply is a Data partition then I would use it to store backup
>> copies
>> of the files you create. I have two hard drives. The first hard drive
>> contains Windows Vista along with all my applications. The second houses
>> a
>> regularly updated image of drive 1 and backup copies of everything in the
>> Documents folder etc.
>>
>> --
>> John Barnett MVP
>> Associate Expert
>> Windows - Shell/User
>>
>> Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
>> Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
>>
>> The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
>> kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
>> reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable
>> for
>> any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of
>> the
>> use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
>> mail/post..
>>
>> "Aafje" <> wrote in message
>> news:5C4DF6A3-DD82-4B66-934B-...
>> > Thanks. But in this case the two parts were allready installed on my
>> > computer
>> > when I bought it. One is the VISTA part the other is named DATA. My
>> > other
>> > computer is runnign XP and the disk isn't divided. So I wasn't sure how
>> > to
>> > use it. There is 'open space' on both parts.
>> >
>> > "P. Di Stolfo" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hello,
>> >>
>> >> you can use them as you like. If the parts were made for a special
>> >> purpose,
>> >> then use them for that. I have a back-up partition if my first
>> >> partition
>> >> has
>> >> an error. On another, I save my pictures and camera images. So, I'd
>> >> say
>> >> simultaneously.
>> >>
>> >> Hope this helps.
>> >> Greetings,
>> >> P. Di Stolfo
>> >> --
>> >> //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >> // http://blog.lysorp.com - small Windows Blog in German language
>> >> //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >>
>> >> "Aafje" <> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
>> >> news:453452B9-57D4-4F8D-BC80-...
>> >> > How do you use the two parts of the hard disk to save your files. Do
>> >> > you
>> >> > use
>> >> > them simultaniously or do you fill up one and than use the other
>> >> > one?
>> >> > Or is the second part (DATA) not to be used to store personal files?
>> >> >
>>
>>

"Aafje" <> wrote in message
news:1FF965EB-C12B-45C9-B848-...
> Thanks, I will certainly do that. If it is my systems recovery partition,
> I
> should make a copy of al my computers' installations details and put them
> on
> the DATA part?
>
I wouldn't put anything on the recovery partition that the OEM didn't put
there. In other words it is meant to be used only in emergencies and unless
you have some other form of recovery or have so changed your system that the
recovery partition is, in essence, obsolete, I wouldn't write to that
partition at all.

I would place those details elsewhere. The reason I say this is you don't
want to risk putting anything on that partition that might in some way
interfere with the recovery routine. The routine might simply ignore it or
it might see the additional information or files as unrecognizable and not
run.

Something else of note, this is not a substitute for backup. You need to
backup your data regularly. Also, generally, a recovery option of this
nature is a last resort because in returns your setup to factory fresh
condition but that also removes any new applications, hardware drivers, any
updates to the system that you've made or have come in by way of Windows
update or any application update scenario.

I generally augment my data backups with routine images of my system, at
least once a week. That way, if anything goes wrong or is so destructive
you can't find the source, you can quickly return your setup with all
current applications, settings, drivers, updates and then simply restore
your data. Even if you've made some additions since the last image, those
will tend to be few and often minor, easy to reinstall or download again in
the event of some catastrophic failure.

--
Michael Solomon
Backup is a PC user's best friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

One of the reasons I'm making such a big deal of the existence of the (not
usable) second division on my hard disk is it holds 40 Gb. What's the use of
bying a computer holding 80GB and learning it's safer not to use 'the
recovery part'? I have to leave (I understand for safety measures) 40GB
unattended. All the while thinking that the division will speed up my
computer because of the two parts. Divided for the computer: that kind of
data on one part, an other kind on the other! But I've been punished before
for thinking logically ! Thank you for suplying me with the good advice
concerning back ups. It will be put to good use.