Topic: partitioning an external hdd

[merlin]

I've bought a USB  external 160gb western digital hdd, the idea is to backup my whole computer to this disk

but then i thought 160gb is way too big, why not partition it, and use the other partitions for other things.

but partition magic won't recognise the drive, even though it shows in "my computer"

i'm using windows xp and all the updates

btw the usb connection is direct to the computer , not through a usb expansion box

so can anyone tell me how to partition this drive

thx in advance

[Simon]

I think you can probably do it in Disk Management (right click My Computer on Desktop > Manage > Disk Management).  Not sure what benefit would be gained though, as if the disk fails, all the partitions would go anyway.  Why not just create a separate folder for your main backup?

[Sandra]

I agree with Simon, a folder is the best way to do it.
The only time that partitioning an external hard drive would be an advantage would be if you wanted one of the partitions in FAT 32 so that earlier OSs than XP could see it, if the rest was in NTFS.

[Reno]

I didn't know you could get to disk management there. I always ran disk management by going to run/ compmgmt.msc.

It might be cool to split it into two partition and install linux on one to be booted from as a usb device. I've always wanted to try that, kind of a linux installation in a box.

[merlin]

thx simon, sandra, and bobscratchy.
thought i might partition the drive into two, put backup of existing computer setup (xp) on one part and vista on the other half.

got to get into vista sooner or later (i hate it) thought this would allow me to play with it, without upsetting the rest of the computer if i made a mistake

if folders will do it , then i agree that opens up many possibilities.

[Simon]

Not sure if you could run Vista off an external drive, Merlin.  For starters, you would need to make sure that your BIOS allows you to boot from a USB drive.  It's probably not impossible, but I imagine it would be more complicated than perhaps you are thinking.

[merlin]

oopps thats another fine mess i've gotten into .
thx simon   

[Simon]

I'm no expert on this, but technically, you could probably install Vista on a separate partition on your main hard drive, and have a dual boot option, where it asks you which OS you want to use on start up, but I don't know how successful it would be, or how much it would affect your existing set up.  You would also need a fairly large main drive, with probably at least about 60Gb spare to create the partition for Vista and your programs to run from.  I believe you can get some Linux installations that run off the CD and don't actually affect your existing OS, and it might be nice if this were available with Vista, but as far as I know, it isn't, although I would happily be corrected on any of this.

[merlin]

i think i can do this,
i have 2x250gb hdd's , drive 1 is partitioned into 50gb, 100gb ,and 100 gb, the 50gb carries xp and it's periferals,the next is for games and general clutter,and the last for photos/photoshop, adobe audition etc,

the second drive is partitioned 2x125 gb and is doing nothing, this is where i thought i might put vista, is this feasible ??

btw the gb's quoted above are the "rounded up figures" ,i realise some space is lost in formatting etc

[Camstop]

Just in case you missed it, this is an excellent guide to partitioning in Vista...

Link

[Simon]

Merlin, I think you might find this guide is exactly what you need.  Let us know how you get on.