Did I make a huge mistake????

[Boyo]

I posted this on the OS forum, but no one was really answering my question, so I will try here. I think I may have made a huge, costly mistake.

When I originally posted my hardware for my new build here to be critqued, I was only buying 1 HDD. It was a Raptor 150GB. There were a portion of people who gave me advice, suggesting that I drop down to a 74GB Raptor, run Windows off of this drive, and then buy another HD for all my other programs. The reasoning behind this I was told was to take full advantage of the Raptor for running Windows quickly, my other programs like My Documents and other media didn't need to be run off of a Raptor, and it would save me some money.

So that is what I did. I bought a 74GB Raptor and a 250GB WD 16MB Cache. My hardware arrives Monday, but I am now confused as to how to set up Windows only on my Raptor, and place everything else in the 250GB WD. What about my securety software (firewall, anit-virus, spyware), and just about everything else that when you download hitches onto the C: drive under windows? Did I make a mistake, or is there something I should be doing to keep Windows XP seperate from all other programs?

 

[JMoore]

No you did not make a huge mistake. If I were you I would just reinstall everything on the new HD's. I would also put your viruis stuff on the raptor.

To do this.... (this might be a lil confusing cause i do not know the technical terms for the stuff i am about to say)
There are two plugs on one ide cable to plug your harddrives/cd drives into.
You want to plug the raptor drive onto the plug on the very end so this will tell your computer that this is the master drive. you want to plug your other drive into the other plug.
this will tell your comp that your raptor is your main drive and I think everything should be fine from there. just be careful when you are installing programs as to what drive you want to put it on.

if anyone wants to add or clarify what im saying feel free.

Hope this helps, and just remember that you made the right choice.

 

[R3LIC]

what most people seem to do in this configuration is install your programs to your Raptor drive and use the second drive as storage for eveything else (data, music, video, etc.)

 

[pkme2]

I recommend that you clone your main drive. It will save a lot of time later, in case of file corruption, hdd crash or whatever.
HDDs are inexpensive today, so protect yourself.

 

[Boyo]

I have another question. Let's say I downloaded a new app like WinAmp, but I put it on my D: drive rather than my C: drive which holds the OS. Will Winamp still be able to run without any problems, or is there something I am missing?

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: Boyo
I have another question. Let's say I downloaded a new app like WinAmp, but I put it on my D: drive rather than my C: drive which holds the OS. Will Winamp still be able to run without any problems, or is there something I am missing?

winamp will run fine.

 

[T9D]

I would have gotten the 150 gb raptor myself.... quite a nice speed increase from the older models from what I've read in reviews.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Yeah, the whole purpose of a Raptor is to put programs on it to read/write data faster.

The 74GB version is kind of a waste though, since some of the newer drives with 16MB cache and denser platters are almost as fast.

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, JMore is essentially correct if your IDE cables are CABLE SELECT (CS). Tip off is that the connectors are color coded. If you are using standard cables, no color code, then plug the jumpers to Master & Slave and it does not matter which connector you use for which drive. Master will always be C: Luck, Jim

 

[Fraggable]

Originally posted by: JimPhelpsMI
Hi, JMore is essentially correct if your IDE cables are CABLE SELECT (CS). Tip off is that the connectors are color coded. If you are using standard cables, no color code, then plug the jumpers to Master & Slave and it does not matter which connector you use for which drive. Master will always be C: Luck, Jim

Yeah, but Raptors are SATA. None of that matters here except for that the 250GB drive should be set as master or CS, but that really doesn't matter since it's the only IDE drive.

Just install all your programs/OS to the Raptor, and store your data on the 250GB drive.

 

[Twsmit]

I would keep all programs on your raptor for the most aprt. Huge downloads such as Steam and the steam cache, can go on the 250GB, and of course all your music and movies, and "media". Just keep one thing in mind, when you format you have to reinstall most programs, so even if they are stored on your 250GB you still have to go through the reinstallation process.

For small things like iTunes/Winamp, and even Ms office its probably better to just install them on the Raptor.

 

[Boyo]

Okay, this sucks. I made a mistake and I should have stuck with the 150GB Raptor. Just so everyone is clear, both of my new HDD's are SATA so I don't need to worry about jumpers or master/slave.

I got the WD Caviar RE 250GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0GB for $90.00. That hardly is going to break anyone's bank, so I am keeping that. I think I will return my 74GB Raptor and go with the 150GB. As someone mentioned, it does have 16MB Cache.

Now here is a question for the forum members that will separate the men from the boys. How should I partition my Raptor to take full advantage of its speed to run Windows???

What about a swap file?

This is a test that I will be grading you all on..

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

It doesn't matter how you partition your Raptor. Just install Windows and your programs on the Raptor. Swap will be on the Windows partition. Media files like music and video should be stored on the 250GB drive.

 

[psychotesis]

if you want really fast boot up, keep your c drive small just for windows and probably some applications. say 5-10GB. if you want practical, t3h l337 n3wb's right. Raptor for windows and ALL your "installed" applications, 250GB just for the fun / important stuff. Next time you need to format, just format the raptor.

Organise Disk Partiton

 

[Boyo]

Originally posted by: psychotesis
if you want really fast boot up, keep your c drive small just for windows and probably some applications. say 5-10GB. if you want practical, t3h l337 n3wb's right. Raptor for windows and ALL your "installed" applications, 250GB just for the fun / important stuff. Next time you need to format, just format the raptor.

Organise Disk Partiton

I agree with you both. That is exactly how I am going to set things up...Thanks to all who posted for help. I appreciate your input....

 

[fire400]

you know the new raptors have better Command Queuing, I mean the 150GB versions. raiding them on 0 would get you some pretty good ultra_kill for your system.

 

[dBTelos]

Well I'll just give my opinion on this even though you seem to be set. You didn't make a mistake, you just have some choices to make. Right now I would take the 74GB raptor, partition it to 20-40GB for OS (depending on how many games you install (little to lots)) and do that as NTFS, then partition the rest in windows as NTFS also. Then partition your other, bigger drive in sizes you want for whatever (I like todo my storage drives as one large partition) and do them all as NTFS. Then you have your partitions set. In windows right click my documents and select properties, select change target and point to your slave storage drive. Then download tweak UI and direct your desktop to your storage drive also. If you use outlook or thuderbird for email you can save your email on the storage drive also. Make system restore 5% or so on your drive and turn off indexing on all partitions to save space. Download all apps and games onto your main xp drive/partition (the raptor) as well as your A/V, firewall, etc. Best way to do it IMHO.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Command Queuing is completely useless for a single user computer. It even hurts performance sometimes.

 

[Boyo]

Originally posted by: dBTelos
Well I'll just give my opinion on this even though you seem to be set. You didn't make a mistake, you just have some choices to make. Right now I would take the 74GB raptor, partition it to 20-40GB for OS (depending on how many games you install (little to lots)) and do that as NTFS, then partition the rest in windows as NTFS also. Then partition your other, bigger drive in sizes you want for whatever (I like todo my storage drives as one large partition) and do them all as NTFS. Then you have your partitions set. In windows right click my documents and select properties, select change target and point to your slave storage drive. Then download tweak UI and direct your desktop to your storage drive also. If you use outlook or thuderbird for email you can save your email on the storage drive also. Make system restore 5% or so on your drive and turn off indexing on all partitions to save space. Download all apps and games onto your main xp drive/partition (the raptor) as well as your A/V, firewall, etc. Best way to do it IMHO.

I like your idea, but I have a few questions. What will the Tweak UI do for me, and if most of my apps should be placed on the raptor, why should I move my desktop to my caviar?

I like the idea of moving My Documents off of my raptor, because it's mostly filled with media and other crap that I keep for easy access. It's at about 20GB now, and that will really help save me some space.

Should I turn off indexing on my raptor, but keep it for my caviar? And what about file swapping on my raptor?

You have some good ideas, I would like to hear more...

 

[V00D00]

It seems like a more general understanding of how windows works may benefit you. It's always helpful to read up on general windows performance tips and stuff before you mess around with too many settings. It can become dangerous very quick.

The swap file is hardly used if you have enough ram, so it doesn't really matter where you put it. The swap file is becomes memory when your main memory fills up. Since the hard drive is the slowest part of the entire computer, you want the swap file on your fastest drive (the raptor). So just leave the swap file alone and you will be in good shape.

I wouldn't worry about indexing either, unless you are on your computer 24/7 the indexing will occur during idle periods. The speed increase due to indexing will benefit you more in the long run. So I recommend you leave that alone. Any performance decrease due to indexing will not even be noticeable.

It doesn't matter where you download your files to, when you install them you pick what drive to put them on. It is recommended you put them on your main drive (the raptor).

Your setup now seems wonderful. Put your Windows+Program files+swap file on the raptor, and put your all your data on the other drive.

 

[Boyo]

Originally posted by: V00D00
It seems like a more general understanding of how windows works may benefit you. It's always helpful to read up on general windows performance tips and stuff before you mess around with too many settings. It can become dangerous very quick.

The swap file is hardly used if you have enough ram, so it doesn't really matter where you put it. The swap file is becomes memory when your main memory fills up. Since the hard drive is the slowest part of the entire computer, you want the swap file on your fastest drive (the raptor). So just leave the swap file alone and you will be in good shape.

I wouldn't worry about indexing either, unless you are on your computer 24/7 the indexing will occur during idle periods. The speed increase due to indexing will benefit you more in the long run. So I recommend you leave that alone. Any performance decrease due to indexing will not even be noticeable.

It doesn't matter where you download your files to, when you install them you pick what drive to put them on. It is recommended you put them on your main drive (the raptor).

Your setup now seems wonderful. Put your Windows+Program files+swap file on the raptor, and put your all your data on the other drive.

Perfect. Short, sweet and easy to understand. I'm on top of that. Thanks for the help.

 

[Zepper]

Except for buying the WD 250/16 which is a relative dog (see StorageReview.com's comparo of 250GB drive), I don't see any mistake at all. Very few programs care what drive letter they are installed to and almost all Windwoes programs install something to the C: partition anyway (one of the big achilles heels of Win, IMO). I use C: strictly for the OS and critical utilities like AV, Antispyware, Firewall and a few others - everything else goes into another partition and/or to another drive. Good luck.

.bh.

 

[Boyo]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Except for buying the WD 250/16 which is a relative dog (see StorageReview.com's comparo of 250GB drive), I don't see any mistake at all.
.bh.

LOL. I thought the first part of your post was hilarious.....But, thanks for telling me I didn't make a mistake. I just had one question for you. Do you have your C drive partitioned at all? Or do you just leave it whole and run Windows from the entire drive?