What is the best way to set your computer up so you can keep gaming from everything else?

nx02nx02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2001
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Ok I need some advice from some of the people here at Anandtech.
I am curious, what is the best way to set your computer up so that the PC gaming aspect of it is seperated from the rest? Internet browsing, multimedia, etc.

The reason I want to seperate it is because I have 1 main rig and I do everything on it. Gaming, Internet, Multimedia etc. etc. etc. Well I have to reinstall Windows quite a bit because sometimes Things start becoming slower or a virus or spy ware will leave me no choice but to reinstall windows. Well reinstalling all of my games takes along time so it would be nice if I could seperate the PC gaming aspect of my PC from everything else. I do like to reinstall Windows once in a while just too keep things clean. When I reinstall windows it takes dozens of hours to reinstall all of my games, configure the games, patch them and install all necessary mods.

What would be great is if I could have like 2 different hard drives in my computer and use one of them for gaming and the other for everything else. Therefore I could keep my games perfectly organized and wouldn't need to reinstall them as much.

It would be great if say like I could just flip a switch or something and choose between the 2 hard drives.

Is duel booting the best thing to do in this situation? And if it is, if I get a virus or spyware on the internet, and general use hard drive will it affect the hard drive with all the games on it?

Basically I kind of want 2 computers in 1. 1 for gaming and 1 for everything else. Without the 2 hard drives seeing each other or interfering with each other. And be able to choose which one I want to use at that 1 time. What is the best way to go about doing this?

Thanks for all advice. :)
 

jleves

Member
Oct 16, 2006
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You could try setting up a pristine setup and then ghost it or use an imaging software to make a copy. Then whenever things get out of hand, copy your saves and reimage the machine to the pristine state.
 

nx02nx02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2001
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What I really want is like a hard drive selector or a switch or something. Does something like this exist?

That way I could have 2 Hard drives in my computer but only use 1 at any 1 time.
One for gaming one for everything else.

Another thing I was kind of thinking about doing is putting 2 hard drives in my computer and then when I want to play games I would go into the BIOS and disable the general use hard drive. When I want to burn cds and browse the internet, etc. I would go into the BIOS and disable the gaming Hard drive. But I was kind of hoping there is a more official, easier way to do this?

Surely alot of people here at Anandtech have this same problem as me?
How do you guys go about this problem?


Usually what happens with me is eventually I get a really bad virus or spyware on my computer and end up having to reinstall. Or another thing that happens is I install more and more stuff on my computer and eventually there is so much stuff and processes running that it isn't ideal for PC gaming anymore.

It would be nice to be able to keep things clean. I hope I am making sense LOL.
 

w00t

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 2004
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while you can backup your stuff and such which would speed up your reinstall process

things wouldn't begin to slow down if you took better care of your computer if it's all software related than you control what happens for the most part keeping up on windows updates, anti-virus updated and scanned once in awile, anti spyware/adware programs should be updated and scanned once in awile too. While that is all important I think it's more important to watch what things you access on the internet you have to watch out for "bad" sites things that could give you a virus or spyware/adware. Your just like other people I know they say there windows got messed up so there going to reinstall.....Why? as much as people say Windows really doesn't mess it self up your the one that "messes" it up.

Edit: dual booting would mess up both HD's I believe if you were to get a virus correct me if I am wrong..... This dual HD and dual booting would also be a hassle every time you wanted to game you'd have to restart/turnoff your computer.
 

themisfit610

Golden Member
Apr 16, 2006
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Multibooting is a good idea. Sometimes viruses and spyware will infect other drives, but generally they will not do so in a significant manor. I have 4 hard drives, and whenever I reinstall, I just nuke the main - an 80gb that just has Windows on it.

Honestly though, viruses and spyware shouldn't be an issue. If you use firefox and practice safe browsing habits, and use a good anti virus program like AVG free, you should not ever pick up viruses or spyware. I certainly don't, and I visit some very seedy places online.

Another alternative is to do Linux. It's AWESOME for basic stuff like web browsing, and Open Office is a very nice office suite that's totally compatible with MS Office. Linux will NOT pick up viruses or spyware, and it is insanely stable if you choose a decent distro and don't recklessly install new software. Linux + Windows is very easy. Just install Windows first, and then Linux. LILO / GRUB will handle the multibooting flawlessly. You can really do anything with Linux, but more advanced stuff is very difficult and time consuming, because you always have to research things.

For a first time user of Linux, I would suggest Ubuntu. It's got a very nice feel, and there is a great user community. It also comes with just about everything you need for web and office. Multimedia generally works well on Linux as well - there are good torrent clients, and mplayer can generally play anything you throw at it, though getting it set up can be a little tricky.
 

nx02nx02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: w00t
while you can backup your stuff and such which would speed up your reinstall process

things wouldn't begin to slow down if you took better care of your computer if it's all software related than you control what happens for the most part keeping up on windows updates, anti-virus updated and scanned once in awile, anti spyware/adware programs should be updated and scanned once in awile too. While that is all important I think it's more important to watch what things you access on the internet you have to watch out for "bad" sites things that could give you a virus or spyware/adware. Your just like other people I know they say there windows got messed up so there going to reinstall.....Why? as much as people say Windows really doesn't mess it self up your the one that "messes" it up.


Ya your right but another big problem is the ideal gaming PC is just bare Windows XP with no extra processes running in the background and no extra programs installed. It's not just viruses that is the problem. It's also just other programs, fragmented hard drive, extra processes etc.

I already am extremely careful with my PC but I really would like to be able to seperate the games and important programs from the "crap" aspect. Like general browsing, programs that might install extra processes. etc. etc. etc.

I am just wondering what is the best way to do this? is it duel booting or?
 

nx02nx02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2001
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To give a good example, I just installed NERO, I needed it to be able to burn DVDs and CDs and it installed like 4 extra processes with it and I can already feel that my PC is a little slower just because of it.

Eventually NERO and other programs like it will slow things down abit.

I always shut down all unneeded processes when gaming but it still clutters up my gaming PC. :)

Another problem is sometimes my friends use my computer and no matter how much I yell at them, lecture them, beg them LOL they still manage to screw up my PC by going to spyware sites, installing crap, messing things up etc. It is totally fine by me and I want my friends to be able to use my PC but it would be nice if they didn't mess up my gaming PC in the process. :)

Im thinking if I had 2 different hard drives it would solve all my problems. :)
 

jleves

Member
Oct 16, 2006
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How about a cheap browsing/burning rig made up of leftover stuff and an A/B KVM switch?
 

nx02nx02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: jleves
How about a cheap browsing/burning rig made up of leftover stuff and an A/B KVM switch?

Ya im thinking maybe a cheap secondary rig would be the best thing. That might be what I have to do.

What is a A/B KVM switch?
 

w00t

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 2004
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IMO a cheap secondary with a KVM Switch just seems like a waste to me when you have a perfectly fine computer that is meant to handle the things your saying. I think a better option would to work with what you have and try to eliminate the problems your having with slowing down.

Edit: could you give us/me some input on what exactly is slowing down your computer so we can try to fix it. one thing that comes to mind is there is many alternatives to programs.
 

nx02nx02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: w00t
IMO a cheap secondary with a KVM Switch just seems like a waste to me when you have a perfectly fine computer that is meant to handle the things your saying. I think a better option would to work with what you have and try to eliminate the problems your having with slowing down.

Edit: could you give us/me some input on what exactly is slowing down your computer so we can try to fix it. one thing that comes to mind is there is many alternatives to programs.


It's not really that bad. It's just kind of a chore to have to reinstall games every few months or so.

Really all im trying to say is that I would prefer if I had a gaming computer that is only used for gaming, perfectly organized with no chance of spyware ever affecting this computer. Then another computer that I use for everything else. Because reinstalling 50 gigs worth of games and reapplying patches and mods, etc. is alot of work.

There is a really really small chance that my gaming computer is going to get infected with spyware and viruses and unneeded programs but when it does it takes huge amounts of time to redo everything.

Thanks for all the advice guys I really appreciate it. :)

I did find a Hard Drive selector but unfortunately it is a little old and does not support serial ATA or 133.

http://www.dslwebserver.com/main/fr_index.html?/main/Romtec-Trios.html

http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=281


That would work great if it was a newer, updated one that supports current technology.
 

Jaxidian

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Oct 22, 2001
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Personally I prefer to have my gaming PC to be a seperate machine from my utility machine. This complete eliminates all of the problems that you're trying to avoid. But additionally, it makes it TONS easier to do secondary things while your gaming. Try IM'ing while you game on one box? It sucks ass! But the one thing that I think is what tips the scale is the fact that you can also use the second box to enhance your gaming! Use it for Ventrillo, use it to search for maps for dungeons or whatever, use it for anything you can possibly think of while you're gaming! Sure, some of that can be done with a dual-screen but also, keep in mind that many games don't play very nicely with a dual-screen while allowing you to interact with the second screen. I don't know about where you live but our Fry's frequently has $150 pc's that do pretty good with another $100 of upgrades (1GB RAM + a DVD burner).

That's my $0.02 worth.
 

nx02nx02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: Jaxidian
Personally I prefer to have my gaming PC to be a seperate machine from my utility machine. This complete eliminates all of the problems that you're trying to avoid. But additionally, it makes it TONS easier to do secondary things while your gaming. Try IM'ing while you game on one box? It sucks ass! But the one thing that I think is what tips the scale is the fact that you can also use the second box to enhance your gaming! Use it for Ventrillo, use it to search for maps for dungeons or whatever, use it for anything you can possibly think of while you're gaming! Sure, some of that can be done with a dual-screen but also, keep in mind that many games don't play very nicely with a dual-screen while allowing you to interact with the second screen. I don't know about where you live but our Fry's frequently has $150 pc's that do pretty good with another $100 of upgrades (1GB RAM + a DVD burner).

That's my $0.02 worth.


I completely agree. :) I am strongly considering getting another rig or maybe even a laptop and setting it right next to my main computer. It would work great for some of the stuff you suggested and it would keep my gaming PC perfectly clean.

I think I will go ahead and invest in another rig or maybe a cheap laptop. Thanks for all the advice everyone. :)
 

jleves

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Oct 16, 2006
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I think I just decided what to do with my current machine as I bring my new core 2 rig into production. It's going to sit right here with the old 21inch CRT. Thanks. Although, I'm going to miss browsing/etc at 1900x1280 on this 24 inch monitor that I've temporarily been using on the old machine.
 

w00t

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 2004
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I like the idea of buying a laptop so it's not really a waste as it's different and has the portability. Best Idea at least so far.......
 

Raduque

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Aug 22, 2004
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If your mobo has the ability, use your boot menu. Set your "General Use" drive as the primary boot HD (Usually HDD0) and set the "Gaming only(with disabled LAN port or whatever) to secondary boot (HDD1). Then when your comp is POSTing, press a button (on some mobos, F10 or F12) to access the boot menu and just choose the HD from the list.

If your mobo supports it. :)
 

nx02nx02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: Raduque
If your mobo has the ability, use your boot menu. Set your "General Use" drive as the primary boot HD (Usually HDD0) and set the "Gaming only(with disabled LAN port or whatever) to secondary boot (HDD1). Then when your comp is POSTing, press a button (on some mobos, F10 or F12) to access the boot menu and just choose the HD from the list.

If your mobo supports it. :)

I am very interested in this idea. I dont know if my motherboard supports this.
Do you know what this feature is called?

This is my motherboard.



http://usa.asus.com/products3.aspx?l1=3...IA%20GeForce%206100%20+%20nForce%20410


If it does support this I would definitely want to use this feature.
 

Slugbait

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Another problem is sometimes my friends use my computer and no matter how much I yell at them, lecture them, beg them LOL they still manage to screw up my PC by going to spyware sites, installing crap, messing things up etc. It is totally fine by me and I want my friends to be able to use my PC but it would be nice if they didn't mess up my gaming PC in the process.
It sounds like your machine if fully unsecured. It's more than common that "friends" hose a machine in very short order.

First, your "friends" should logon with User privileges. Second, if you're not using the latest anti-virus signatures, your "friends" will continue to blindly open attachments and infect your machine with viruses...many people just stop paying for signatures, thinking they're protected (they aren't), so get AVG. Third, you can set the HOSTS file to prevent your "friends" from installing parasites (and simultaneously increase your speed on the 'net). Fourth, kill unneeded RWWS processes that slow down your machine in msconfig.

I image. System rebuilds with all apps and games takes less than 10 minutes.

Otherwise, I am also in the camp that you should have a second machine for "friends" indulging in self-destructive behavior. But regardless if you go this route, lock down and image your main machine anyway.
 

nx02nx02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: Raduque
If your mobo has the ability, use your boot menu. Set your "General Use" drive as the primary boot HD (Usually HDD0) and set the "Gaming only(with disabled LAN port or whatever) to secondary boot (HDD1). Then when your comp is POSTing, press a button (on some mobos, F10 or F12) to access the boot menu and just choose the HD from the list.

If your mobo supports it. :)



Ok it seems my motherboard does indeed support this feature and I have just got it all set up. It works great and is exactly what I needed. When My computer is posting I just press F8 and a menu comes up with all the drives in my computer. And I just simply select the drive I want to boot up. It even lists my DVD drive and Floppy drive.

There is one problem however and I need a little more help from you guys to solve this.
The problem is the 2 hard drives can see eachother. This really bothers me because if my general use hard drive gets infected with spyware it could possibly infect the gaming hard drive.

How to I stop the 2 hard drives from seeing each other? In windows ofcourse. It's ok if the BIOS sees both.

I sure appreciate all the help and if I could just get this one last issue resolved it would be great. Thanks.