Hard disks installation

[kikkler]

I'm going to install tommorow two serial ata hard disks, using Raid-0. It's the first time i'm doing this raid thingy, so I would really like to read some tips, what to do, what not to do and so on.. Since I'm also assembling the whole computer at the same time, would it be wiser to set up the HD drives and then install the OS, or vice versa ?
Also, it's going to be the first time i'm dealing with high capacity hard disks (right now I have an enormously big 8Gb HDD), so i'm not really sure how to partite it - what's the standard partition type? Is there any reason i might need more than two partitions (one for OS and the other for general usage)? And how much space is recommended for each one (both drives will sum up to a total of 160Gb)
thanks

 

[Steven the Leech]

There are a few questions there you will ultimately have to answer for yourself.

Set up you computer with new hardware then

1st-set up raid0-and stripe size, there are some good topics on size in forums [I use 8k]

2nd-partition drive 20/100, 40-120, 80/80--makes no difference your personal preference and what you will use it for. Set 1st partition as primary/active.

3rd-assuming you are using XP boot into XP and hit f6 at the prompt in splash screen and install your sata controller card adapter. If you didnt get a floppy disk with your motherboard, you will have to make a disk before you begin.[that would then be first thing you have to do before you dissassemble your currnet setup]

I would recommend you keep that 8g hardrive for backup/image of OS etc.

 

[kikkler]

about the last note -
this 8gb HDD is pretty slow (not really sure about specific numberes, but we're talking about a 5 years old HDD) - wont it bottle neck the whole system ?

 

[Steven the Leech]

No it wont, it will only affect it if you are writing data form one drive [faster] to a slower drive [8g], and then it will be reduced to the slower drives transfer rate. Will not affect the way windows runs in the least bit. If it did I would have to pull all of my cd/floppies/zip drives, but i dont use them very much so it is not noticable.