[ameyjah]

Can We Have Such Security Partitions

Hi Friends, I need you help. Me and my brother shares same computer. But often we get into trouble due to each others inter fear in individual files. So can we have some kind of partition, which can restrict each other from accessing others drive. I want drive no just a folder
I have some ideas:
1) Can we have two OS (same version) installed on one system (HDD) and restrict access to other drives. I mean, supposing HDD of 100Gb, can we restrict 50 Gb to one OS and 50Gb to second OS user.
OR
2) Can we have two different users on the same OS with one user accessing certain drives and other user accessing other drives.

I want to strict access and don't want even once virus/Trojan affect other files. Please guide me if it's possible.

[philthomas]

Originally Posted by ameyjah

1) Can we have two OS (same version) installed on one system (HDD) and restrict access to other drives. I mean, supposing HDD of 100Gb, can we restrict 50 Gb to one OS and 50Gb to second OS user.

YES

2) Can we have two different users on the same OS with one user accessing certain drives and other user accessing other drives.

YES

Having said that if one or other of you manges to attract a Trojan or Virus, there is no guarantee it wont spread to the restricted Files or Partition, which are all part of the same HDD.

If you want the equivalent of 2 x totally seperate PC's, another more secure alternative, would be to buy an extra HDD and a couple of Removeable HDD Caddies like these :

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...20disk%20caddy

Each of you then will have your own drive, with your own OS and data, completely seperate from each others.

Note : the link refers to IDE Drives, but SATA ones are also available, if needed.

[ameyjah]

Ok, buying another HDD is not big deal. But if you could throw some light on "different users , same OS but different partition access", then I would really appreciate your help

[philthomas]

If you partition your drive you can have a multiboot system, with more than one OS, this can be 2 seperate versions of XP if you wish. The option to install to a different Partition is offered, during the XP installation, so for example if you start off with a new HDD, you would crete 2 x Partitions, you would then install the first OS as normal, on Partition 1...... and then install the 2nd OS on Partition 2.
Once installed, at boot up, you can choose which OS to boot to.

From your comments so far, I am not sure how workable this may be for you, as your brother will obviously be able to boot to either Partition/OS. You could of course create User Accounts with Passwords on both installations and keep the Admin rights to yourself, restricting access to certain folders etc. on both, but if your brother is knowledgeable, he would still find access to your files fairly easily, so if Privacy is an issue, this may not be your best option.

Personally, for the cost of an extra HDD and a couple of removeable caddies, I think this would give you all the privacy and security you need. Even if your brother completely trashes his drive, gets a thousand Trojans/virus's, none of this would affect yours