A few questions on partitioning...

[DDar]

Okay, well I was thinking about partitioning my HDD and adding Windows Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 so I could play some games. Right now, my main focus is Bioshock, but I DO have a few concerns about partitioning my disk...

1- If I run out of space (I use my MacBook Pro for graphic work), will I be able to easily and cleanly remove the partition from my HDD?

2- How big do you recommend my partition be? I originally intended it to be only 20GBs, but I was told that Vista in itself takes 15GBs to install... soo yeah... I really don't want to have to be deleting stuff all the time from my Windows Partition, but I don't want to take TOO much space off of my OSX partition, and right now I only have 176.9 GBs. =(

3- Say I should get infected with some Malware like a trojan, a virus or some nasty spyware. Would that somehow creep into my OSX partition or would they always be separate? Also, if I do get infected by something, if I removed the Windows partition would it be deleted as well? I'd really like into install Windows and play some games, but if it means risking my new laptop AT AL, I think I'll pass.

Thanks in advance guys! =)

EDIT: Also, will I have to install any drivers when I install Vista? I heard an NVidia one was necessary, but I'm really not sure how it all works...

 

[RITZFit]

1) yes, the boot camp assistant has an option to reclaim HD space from a windows partitions (deletes it).

2) i'd say atleast 30 gig (mabey 50 to be safe). believe me, the space on that partition can go quickly between windows, updates, and games.

3) Windows viruses should not affect OSX,especially since windows can't recognize a mac os extended partition. just keep the windows side of things all patched up and be sure to use some antivirus and firewall software. another thing to do is just not use the windows side for surfing the web if your worried, but good surfing habbits will also greatly minimize that possibility of catching crap tho.

good luck

 

[jonbravo77]

3) Windows viruses should not affect OSX. just keep the windows side of things all patched up and be sure to use some antivirus software. another thing to do is just not use the windows side for surfing the web if your worried, but good surfing habbits will greatly minimize that possibility of catching crap tho.

good luck

As long as you don't transfer files from the Windows Partition to the Mac then there is no way that a virus or anything else can creep over. You have to have a special app on Windows to even see the Mac partition.

But I do agree with RITZ, good surfing habits will greatly reduce any chances of a virus or not using the browser at all...