How to configure SSD and HDDs for simplicity

[nvsravank]

I am building a new computer for photography use and with help from a few folks On these forum I bought a 256 gb SSD and two seagate HDDs (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148834)

My question is on how to set them up. I wanted to setup the two HDD as raid 1 for media and install the OS on the SSD.
Then I started think on how to keep the OS partition small while my wife can still use the standard windows locations for what she does.

How to setup the documents, pictures and other folders to be on the HDD instead of on the SSD? On my Mac I set it up so that the users folder is a mount point for the bigger disk I had was set for raid 1. (when I ran out of space on that one I moved to the current Drobo setup).

Is something like that possible on the windows side on the ultimate edition? If so how to set it up?

Or is it better to setup my SSD as SRT for 64gb for my raid volume for everything and use the rest for photoshop/lightroom cache and be done with it?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Yes you can. The NTFS file system windows uses supports something called Symbolic Links. Symbolic Links allow you to move data to another location but "link" it somewhere else so that it appears to come from that location. You can use a program like LinkShellExtension to be able to create your own symbolic links anywhere, (or do it natively in command prompt), but if all you want to do is move the main folders (My Documents, My Pictures, etc.) then Windows 7 has built in functionality to move those. Just go to the folder, right click, hit properties, then Location. You can then select Move to move the folder anywhere you want.

Move Documents, Pictures, and Videos:
http://headstrongfarm.hubpages.com/hub/Windows-7_-_Moving_My_Documents

Create Symbolic Links anywhere you want:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16226/complete-guide-to-symbolic-links-symlinks-on-windows-or-linux/

 

[nvsravank]

Thanks Thecoolnessrune. So while symlinks exists on NTFS, i always thought that the implementation had issues. Hoping that they were resolved in the last six years

Anyway looks like your other link of moving libraries is helpful. I will have to read up on how libraries work on Windows (Still using XP at work and Mac at home and so no idea of windows 7 details)

That said is it better to install the whole OS on the SSD or just use 64 GB for the SRT and use the rest of the SSD as an application cache when i need it?

 

[nvsravank]

Never mind - I found out from the Z68 Mobo reviews that SSD is still better. Now i just need to figure out how to make the process simple so that i dont keep cleaning my SSD of junk that i tend to pile up.

I keep seeing people say that they will move their apps from the SSD to the HDD when not in use. I am assuming it is a bit more complicated than the move the app / folder i can do in the Mac world? What are the mechanics of moving an APP?

 

[kbp]

Install you App's on the SSD. I cache my app's to other drives, although those drives are also SSD's. I do have my photo's all downloading to my HD and then import them for software rendering.