BleepingComputer.com: New Harddrive Question

First off, I'm probably in the wrong forum for this question. If so, I apologize.

I recently purchased a new computer that has a massive harddrive. 500gigs. The problem is that when the computer arrived, the manufacturer (Dell) had already installed windows and everything was set up for me. The reason that this is a problem is because I had always been told that the best way to handle large drives like mine is to partition them. So here are my questions.....

Do I need to partition the drive?

If so, how do I do that since my operating system is already installed? Will have to write over it and do a fresh install (btw, THAT idea scares me)?

If I don't do that, will I have trouble organizing and backing up files and directories on my drive?

If I do partition, can you suggest how big each drive should be?

Thanks all!!!!

Partitioning your hard drive is always up to you.

I know if you use the windows install disc, they should of sent you, you can partition your hard drive from there, but I don't know if you can do it that way without having to reinstall windows. There is other software out there, and maybe someone could provide you with some if you decide that you want to partition your hard drive.

You shouldn't really have anymore problems organizing your files. I never partition my hard drives, and I never have a problem with organization.

The size of each partition is totally up to you. Some people like to make two partitions, with one consisting of their Windows installation, plus a few extra gigabytes. Then the rest, much larger portion, for everything else.

The advantage of having the OS on one partition and your other applications and files on another is that if you have to reinstall the OS you will only need to reformat the partition with the OS, the applications and files that are on the other partition will not be effected.

There are applications that can be used to add a partition. I have seen GParted recommended for this, but have not used it myself.

As has been suggested, if you have the Windows installation CD you can always reformat the hdd and add the second partition. You will need the other CDs with the drivers for the motherboard and the other applications that aren't part of Windows. Or...you could just live with the one large partition. Just make sure that you regularly back up your important files and save the installation setups for any downloaded applications to a removable media,CDs, DVDs, flash drives, backup hdd. .