Request for Tips on New Build

[DruidAllanon]

In addition to the customary putting all the parts together, installing the os, drivers & firewall & antivirus, etc., what other things should I do to set up my new the computer build?

For example, I will use a Raptor 74 as my main hd. I will put the os and my programs and my data on it, and use my second hd for backup and excess data.

I typically use some sort of data folder for my main data, and a couple of separate data folders for other data (e.g., a separate one for pictures), so I can just copy a folder to the second hd for a backup.

Is there any reason to partition my main hd and put the OS (XP Pro) on a separate partition? I thought people used to do that so they could do a complete reinstall of the OS. Is it worth while, useful or even necessary?

Is there any reason to use a separate partition/drive letter on my main hd for each of the programs, os and data?

Down the road, I probably will set up Linux with a dual boot, but not for a while.

Any other thoughts on what might be useful to do are greatly appreciated.

 

[mechBgon]

If you'll have any PATA drives or USB drives/card-readers in the system, make sure they're not hooked up when you do Windows Setup, or the SATA drive will get bumped down to drive letter G: or whatever, and then you'll be :|.

 

[piromaneak]

Instead of making two separate HDs druid, I would RAID the two (Two RAIDed raptors would scream) and if you want to, make a partition for your backups there. If you are really worried about data loss then go with RAID 0+1 or just 1. I dont think XP allows it self to be partitioned from the data it has to read however it is not uncommon for people to put the OS and all needed files on one partition (Only about 2 gigs in space) and have the rest (70+ gigs in ur case) to all other apps such as games, pictures etc. Usually if the data corruption or problem (i.e. virus) is so bad that you have to reinstall the OS, more than likely the problem has spread to the other partition. So I don't really see a need to keep the OS separate. Just my 2 cents.

 

[DruidAllanon]

Thanks for the tips.

I should have been clearer about the two drives. One is the Raptor, and the other is a 120G Seagate 7200.8 ncq.

I am asking because last build I set up the os (again xp pro) on a separate 2G partition, and then never did anything to take advantage of the separate partition. I had to resize it twice - to 4G and then to 6G when in installed SP2. I didn't plan on going that route again, but I thought I would ask to see if anyone saw any advantage or had other tips.

 

[Super6]

With the two drives, I don't see any compelling reason to partition the Raptor.

Super6