How to arrange my new Hard Drive setup...

Unromantic__Me · 22 May 2006 at 04:48

Sorry if this is in the wrong section of the forum, if so feel free to move it

Basically I need some help on getting the fastest usage out of my new hard drive arrangement.

I have: 2 x Samsung Spinpoints 40gb, and 1 x Samsung Spinpoint 160gb

Upon building the system about a month ago I arranged it like so

1 x 40gb: Windows, all programs, all games. (basically anything that would install went here)

1 x 40gb: Music (mp3's) and pictures (I have a LOT of music)

the 160gb then got split into 3 partions: 110gb for home movies and the such, 45gb for music production work (saves of files) and 5gb for all documents (word documents and such)

Now I have no idea if this is the most effective way to arrange these drives...there will always be space for another drive at anytime in the future, probably for more media, or more music production space...And I back up all my important docutments to DVD....So if there is a more effective way to set this system up, go ahead and let me know...So I can get it sorted

Thanks

Jay

Insanity · 22 May 2006 at 05:00

Might wanna edit out the bit about the downloaded movies...

vanandjuanunited · 22 May 2006 at 06:45

Not really necesary as dvd rental companies now allow movie downloads. So you would be guessing that he wasnt doing this legally?

hp7909 · 22 May 2006 at 07:11

Belongs more in the Windows & Other Software section. No worries, one of the moderators should be along to quickly move it (for better response).

General rule is to have Windows on its own partition (or hard disk*) and put your documents/music/movies/games/etc on another partition (or hard disk). Some sites/people recommend also having the program files separate, but i choose to leave them together with Windows. Also useful is moving the Pagefile to another partition (new or current) on any of the other hard disk. Example:

The back-up partition's contains images of Windows (MAIN) & My Documents, Downloads & Games (STUFF_1) made using the excellent Acronis True Image. I know many will argue that it's of no use especially if any 'natural' disaster happens (touch wood), but I backup on DVD±R’s every 4-months including my Music (STUFF_2) & Videos (STUFF_3) (/can't wait for Blu-Ray/HD-DVD to pick-up & get cheaper )

EDIT: *Though, common argument is that 20GB's more than enough if not too much for Windows. The most sensible one being is it makes backing-up easier and consequently data recovery.

ALSO: Watch how many disk you have in there! Apart from being a strain on the PSU, there's heat issues to deal with & that kills hard disk fast :eek:

BigDom · 22 May 2006 at 09:01

Agree with HP, Game's installs etc. ought to go on a different partition to windows.

The logic of this is, despite stuff like registries, much of games configuration data, not to mention patches you might apply etc. are all held in the games installation folder. So if you have to re-install windows.. many games will run without a re-install and those that require one will generally leave everything intact.

Thus reconfiguring windows after a re-install is easier than if you wiped all your games etc.

wesley · 22 May 2006 at 09:12

really? i'm sure all games will need to re-install again if you format winXP.

i've done it before ages ago, when start up the game, error message says file missing/dll missing,please reinstall again blah blah

winXP needed some files from game installation

hp7909 · 22 May 2006 at 10:20

I'd say most need a reinstall because of registry entries. But, its still better to install games on a different partition/hard disk. That’s because most keep your saves with them & well hidden and sometimes scattered in different folders. Its just the same principle as with Windows and your documents. However, Windows allows you to move them away from its own partition/hard disk. Since some games can not allow this you might as well do the same. I've found most don’t overwrite any previous files and the install (like GTA San Andreas – 4.5GB) is instantaneous. I think it realises install is already there :cool:

BigDom · 22 May 2006 at 10:22

hp7909 said:
I'd say most need a reinstall because of registry entries. But, its still better to install games on a different partition/hard disk. That’s because most keep your saves with them & well hidden and sometimes scattered in different folders. Its just the same principle as with Windows and your documents. However, Windows allows you to move them away from its own partition/hard disk. Since some games can not allow this you might as well do the same. I've found most don’t overwrite any previous files and the install (like GTA San Andreas – 4.5GB) is instantaneous. I think it realises install is already there

You'd be surprised many games will run fine without a re-install.

Unromantic__Me · 22 May 2006 at 10:48

so would you guys suggest

Splitting my 40gb, that windows in currently on, into a 20gb for windows and programs (or should programs go somewhere else altogether?) and then use the other 20gb for games?

Or maybe (15gb for windows and (maybe) programs, 20 for games and (maybe) programs....then 5 for Page file (not that I have any clue what it is).

BigDom · 22 May 2006 at 11:15

Well 3 disks makes it tough to do it cleanly but probably

10gig windows
30gig games
Then on your second 40g for music and associated bits.
160gig for everything else.

You don't want to split up disks tooo much (i.e. keep the 160 in one piece ) as doing so can cause you to run out of space on one partition when another has space.

Unromantic__Me · 22 May 2006 at 11:29

where would you stick all programs in that combination?...As for the 160gb...Id have to split it up, to have a 40GB partion for music production work...I wouldnt risk not having it seperate.

hp7909 · 22 May 2006 at 11:32

Unromantic__Me said:
{snip}then 5 for Page file (not that I have any clue what it is)

A pagefile (AKA Swap file) is a reserved portion of a hard disk that is used as an extension of random access memory (RAM) for data in RAM that hasn't been used recently. A pagefile can be read from the hard disk as one contiguous chunk of data and thus faster than re-reading data from many different original locations.

Before you ask, Windows XP must run with a pagefile even if you have xx Gigabytes of memory

Also recommend seeing this

BigDom said:
Well 3 disks makes it tough to do it cleanly but probably

10gig windows
30gig games
Then on your second 40g for music and associated bits.
160gig for everything else.

You don't want to split up disks tooo much (i.e. keep the 160 in one piece ) as doing so can cause you to run out of space on one partition when another has space.

I guess you’ve never had any form of failure, i.e. hardware or software? Or even had to go searching for a file in a large partition? I know Windows doesn’t allow changes to the partition so, invest in a good program like Acronis Disk Director. That way you can have smaller partitions which are easier to manage, defrag, etc. When you need more space, simply resize or merge with the above said software.

Dutch Guy · 22 May 2006 at 11:34

I would install windows on a 20Gb partition on the 160Gb drive as that drive is the fastest one.

Not all games need to be reinstalled when you format Windows but some require it.