HardDrive

[Squall-01]

Not sure if this goes here but. Building a computer wondering if any one knew how to setup up one like with a new computer. Do I install windows or do I partition it?

[Jordan]

You install windows, unless ofcourse you want to also install a Linux distro on it,

[greenkube]

When you install a bootable copy of windows there is a section for partitioning. For the most part you do not need to and just keep your drive as one large partition.

[Jessii]

I don't really like partitioned hard drives, so I wouldn't unless you have something like a 256GB drive and you can split that in half really easily.

[Taylor]

At 11/10/06 01:18 PM, Jessii wrote: I don't really like partitioned hard drives, so I wouldn't unless you have something like a 256GB drive and you can split that in half really easily.

I disagree.

I partition my harddrives, and I've found it brilliantly useful.

My setup is:
3 drives / two large sata drives, one small 10k rpm wd raptor drive.

Raptor is partitioned into two pieces - one just for the OS (Windows), one for extremely intensive programs (photoshop, ect) and things I run constantly (firefox, itunes)

The other two drives are left alone for bulk storage (music ect)

This way, if I'm ever feeling like my computer is sluggish or I catch a virus, I can install a fresh copy of Windows over the Windows partition on the Raptor without losing a single file or setting.

[greenkube]

This way, if I'm ever feeling like my computer is sluggish or I catch a virus, I can install a fresh copy of Windows over the Windows partition on the Raptor without losing a single file or setting.

I agree

[Taylor]

However, I retract part of my statement. I'm very against shady partitions on servers. If you're breaking a drive up with half for accounts and half for backups (this is in my position, as a web host), thats unacceptable. You're never going to have a failure where you'd be able to restore from the same physical drive.

[thecoshman]

yer, raptor drive for OS. I see where your coming form there, fast drive, fater boot.

but did you know, you can get IDE/SATA to flash memory addapters?

now, I dont know the numbers, but I can tell you that flash memory, if it aint crap flash memory, IS faster to read from then probably even a raptor!

Im yet to try this out, as I am still saving up for next computer.

going for two flash memory drives, one for OS one for big apps and programs i always use, the other to use as a either V-ram space for windows, or just more app loading. or OS on one, apps on the other.

Then get one big ass hdd! just not sure wiether i could do it cheaper using raid. say like 5 100 gigs rather then one big fat 500 gig. I no it will be faster to use raid, if it is a good raid set up. got to lookinto this a bit mroe first.

[RageOfOrder]

At 11/10/06 01:18 PM, Jessii wrote: I don't really like partitioned hard drives, so I wouldn't unless you have something like a 256GB drive and you can split that in half really easily.

Techically you can't use a hard drive unless you partition it.....
However.. I DEFINATELY encourage (smart) use of partioning. It will make your life much much easier

If you use Windows (shudder) partition off about 5 or so GB for JUST the windows folder. You'll have to change some paths so it doesn't keep trying to install everything there, and then run the rest of your system off the remaining space. That way when (not if) Windows fucks up, you can reformat the windows partition and re-install without any risk of losing your precious data.

I also recommend seperate partitions for your music, if you have as sizeable collection.

On linux, it's good to partition off /boot for security measures, and /home so you can use multiple distros without changing anything. All your files and data will be there, with al lthe settings for your programs. Makes it a million times easier to switch between distrobutions if you want to try a few out.

[amaterasu]

At 11/11/06 05:39 AM, thecoshman wrote: going for two flash memory drives, one for OS one for big apps and programs i always use, the other to use as a either V-ram space for windows, or just more app loading. or OS on one, apps on the other.

Out of curiosity, what type of flash drive are you considering?

[thecoshman]

not to sure tbh, havnt looked into it that much, I know it can be done though.

obviuslt the most important factor in chosing it is speed, no point doing this to have some shity piece of crap to load from. But It also needs to be fairly large, about 1 to 2 gig for XP. I think compact flash is the most suitable for this, though those cards are actaully like the largest you can get.

[Taylor]

There isn't any solid state memory (flash memory, compactflash, sd ect) available that is faster then existing technologies (SCSI, SATAII) in terms of raw data speed. However, I think what you're thinking of is Windows Vista's ability to cache RAM onto flash memory to increase boot and function times.

Flash memory, when plugged into a USB2.0 port (the standard these days) is limited to 480MBPS, whereas a SATAII drive plugged into a regular SATA port is pushing 3GBPS.

[thecoshman]

i am most defintuyl not on about vistas usb memory for extra ram crapology.

their is a way to hook up flash memory so that it appears to be an IDE hdd. I think you are belivng me to be on about yousing a flash emeory card through USB to store data, which i am not.