Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

13 points

Has Anyone Partitioned their Hard Drive in 3 Three?

I have decided to partition the new 750GB internal hard drive I have purchased into 3 partitions.

The reason for is I will be using both Snow Leopard and Lion so I will need a partition for each of these in addition to one data partition.

The data partition should save space not having to install my photos, music etc and certain applications on both.

My main problem is I now have the confusing task of deciding how much space to allocate into each partition. How much should I give to the Snow Leopard, Lion and Data partitions and why? Below is some general information

750GB to play with
Need to create partitions Lion, Snow Leopard and Data
My new hard drive is a Seagate hybrid drive (part SSD, part HDD) if this makes a difference

If anyone has done 3 partitions before regardless of what OS's you installed I would greatful if replied. Many thanks.

All help appreciated 🙂

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Jan 26, 2013 10:30 AM

21 replies

darkhorse85 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 27, 2013 6:38 AM in response to mende1

Aww 😟 never mind. Thanks anyway.

I assume what I need to do now is create lists for the application/file groups.

(A) Special Files / Library Required

(B) Unsupported on Lion

(C) Unsupported on Snow Leopard

(D) Drag-And-Drop

I take it that it is generally only a very small quantity on applications / files that would fall under list (A) (given that you mention only Microsoft Office and VirtuaBox)?
Is there way I could search the Internet to try to identitfy the applications / files which require the use of the Library or other Special Files, if so what words and/or where should I search?

Thanks again. As I mentioned previously this is really helping me make progress to upgrading my Mac, which should help me in my new career 🙂

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Jan 27, 2013 6:26 AM in response to darkhorse85

Note that there are more applications that needs other files. You will notice them when you are going to install those applications.

Can you explain what you are referring to with "Internet applications/files"? If you are referring to applications downloaded on the Internet, I told you that most of them are installed just dragging them to Applications folder, so they don't need any additional files

darkhorse85 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 27, 2013 7:40 AM in response to mende1

I think you may have misread my message slightly?

Just for purpose of clarity, it is worth mentioning that I did not write "Internet application/files" 😉 but I shall rephrase the question below the old one...

(I wasn't actually referring to applications downloaded from the Internet that is still helpful. Thanks)

Old Phrasing of Question

darkhorse85 wrote:

"Is there way I could search the Internet to try to identify the applications / files which require the use of the Library or other Special Files, if so what words and/or where should I search?"

Rephrased Question / The Question Explained...

What I wanted to know was if I could use the Internet to find out which applications / files require the special files or need the Library?

For example: search for a list of common applications / files that would had these requirements OR search for one application at a time to get see if it would.

And I then asked how best to do this... (if so what words and/or where should I search for) ?

___________

I understand that most applications are indeed installed simply by dragging them into the Applications folder. But I am in a position were almost everything I need to put on my new hard drive has already been installed on current hard drive or external drive and don't have all the software around on CDs. So I cannot discover which is which by simply installing them.

As you may know, I need to find a way to identify these types of applications/files -before I install them- on my new hard drive, so as I can determine the right capacity for each of the 3 partitions.

I hope this message clears things up? Thanks 🙂

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Jan 27, 2013 7:32 AM in response to darkhorse85

darkhorse85 wrote:

As you may know, I need to find a way to identify these types of applications/files -before I install them- on my new hard drive, so as I can determine the right capacity for each of the 3 partitions.

There's no way to know that, but as I said before, you will notice it when you download the application. That's the only answer, and I'm sorry by not offering you a better answer

darkhorse85 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 27, 2013 7:58 AM in response to mende1

Don't be sorry this is helpful. Postitive or negitive answers it's all good stuff 🙂 I appreciate it!

I could write a list of the names some of my Applications for you to look at and perhaps you could copy & paste the ones which you know need Special Files or Library?

Seen as there seems to be no way to know, do you have any suggestions for me?

Gracias

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Jan 27, 2013 7:59 AM in response to darkhorse85

darkhorse85 wrote:

I could write a list of the names some of my Applications into a message for you to look at and perhaps you could copy & paste the ones which know are need if?

You can do that, if you want, although I can't provide much information.

darkhorse85 wrote:

Seen as there seems to be no way know, do you have any suggestions for me?

I think I have told you all suggestions to make OS X run the best you can on three volumes. Just do it and make a backup before doing anything to the hard drive

Has Anyone Partitioned their Hard Drive in 3 Three?