How To Partition A Hard Drive

Everyone needs to learn how to partition a hard drive. It is rather easy if you use the right tools. My favorite partitioning tool is GParted. GParted is a Linux utility that can be run from a Live CD. Live CDs are complete operating systems that run from your CDROM and are completely independent from the hard drive.

Why Partition a Hard Drive?

You need a partition separate from the operating system to store your important files and operating system images. The Windows operating system to prone to corruption, viruses, and other problems, you need to have a backup plan. Most people do not backup their important files on a regular basis. By developing a habit of storing important files in a separate partition outside of the operating system you can quickly and easily restore the operating system if Windows gets infected or fails to start up. Using this technique I have been able to keep large numbers of computers running at their optimum by performing periodic restores using imaging software. Imaging allows you to bring a computer back to a known good configuration quickly. I have a computer lab of over 35 computers that I am able to image (takes less than 10 minutes for all 35 computers) before class to reset or restore to a configuration for the particular type of class. You need to learn how to partition a hard drive in order to be able to maintain a computer and assure the safe keeping of important files.

I have several other Hubs on this subject you might find useful.

GParted - Great Open Source Hard Drive Partition Utility GParted is a great open source partitioning utility that is fast and easy to use. You can even run GParted from a Linux Live CD.

FDISK DOS Partition Utility Tutorial Fdisk is a Microsoft DOS utility for partitioning hard drives. You should have a partition for important data and operating system backup images. Backup images will allow you to restore your system quickly.

FIXMBR Windows XP Fdisk /MBR Tool The FIXMBR recovery console command for Windows XP performs the same function that Fdisk /MBR dose in DOS.

Partimage - Norton Ghost Clone Open Source Utility For Imaging and Backups Partimage is a fast open source (free Norton Ghost clone) utility that I have used in my PC lab to maintain 30+ computers. It runs on a Linux Live CD

The Hubs listed above will help you to understand how to maintain a computer and will also help you to learn how to partition a hard drive and improve the safe guarding of important files.