Re: Is there a rigorous definition for 'primary partition' ?

"Bill Schaible" <mr.correct@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:NdWdncxjguHfQ5_eRVn-ow@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> For years I've been using boot manager programs with multiple primary
> partitions on multiple drives. Or I skip the boot manager and use a disk
> editor to change the partition table in some cases. From that perspective
I
> can't figure out what would be a proper definition for a 'primary'
> partition. I just spent hours Googling the subject on the internet and
> didn't find a real definition anywhere.
>
> Some facts about a primary partition (PP):
>
> (1) A PP is defined by one of the records in the partition table, as
> opposed to a logical volume, which doesn't have a record in the
> first physical sector (CHS001) of the drive. However, that's not a
> distinguishing feature because an extended partition has a record in
CHS001
> also.

This is why I consider the extended itself a primary partition as well. If
you want you can say that a primary partition is a partition defined in the
partition table in the MBR while it is not an extended partition.

>
> (2) An extended partition begins with a partition table (in the EMBR), a
PP
> does not. A true fact, but not a definition.
>
> (3) A PP doesn't necessarily need to contain system files. You can have
> the system files on a diskette, and only non-system files on the hard
drive,
> and still have a workable system - i.e. a PP isn't necessarily bootable.
>
> (4) Maybe you could say it's a partition that's capable of being booted
> from if it has the correct system files and data structures. But that
seems
> like an OS dependent definition.

Indeed.

Joep


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: format question
    ... >> I was under the impression that when you load Win98 or XP, ... you should make it G:\ and move back the apps and data drives to ... Installing the OS into its own primary, active partition in this ... >me load any OS into its own partition: Boot files, system files, everything. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: Partition Issue (Adding Vista x64 to Vista x32 1TB Drive)
    ... Most of my basic education in hard drives started with floppies on the TRS-80. ... They have usually included at least a detailed copy of the boot sector and the MBR, including the partition table, with a bit-by-bit explanation of what the various flags mean. ... My standard arrangement for a HDD is a single small primary partition to hold nothing but the startup files, with an extended partition covering the rest of the drive, with multiple logical drives. ... "Richard Urban" wrote in message ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup)
  • Re: Dual Boot Instructions
    ... If "drive" means a single partition or logical drive, then the negatives you've heard are very true. ... But if "drive" means a physical hard disk drive, then I'm in big trouble because I have SIX versions of Windows installed on my 1 TB Disk 1, my second HDD! ... The name stuck when we added hard disk drives, ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices)
  • Re: BootIt NG high level steps - best approach??
    ... backup boot strategy. ... As far as BING, I should tell you I've been using this software ... make managing your bootable options and partition management so much easier. ... drives) and the DATA partition on a mirrored array. ...
    (comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage)
  • Re: Dual booting
    ... of Microsoft's dual boot scenario. ... The extended partition is not assigned a drive letter, ... BIOS reserves letters A and B for floppy drives, ... If WinXP Setup ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)