Extra hard-drive installed...how do I best utilise it?

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waima20

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#27511 29-Oct-2008 09:42

Hello,
I have installed extra hard-drive (500gb) to my almost full 80gb desktop pavilion.
How should i best utilise this extra storage?
Will my existing "overflow" into it?
Or do I select seldom used things and send them there?
Would be nice to send the old 80gb into "extra" and use the 500gb as the main hard-drive....possible?? well recommended??

gehenna

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#174305 29-Oct-2008 09:45

Are you running Windows?

Best bet in my opinion would be to move all your data to the new drive - movies, pictures, music, etc. Keep your original drive as clutter free as possible and only really use it for your programs.

Most computers I make have a System drive which is for the operating system and application files. I store all my actual data and media on other drives. This also means if your computer crashes becuase of a problem with the operating system, you can fix the problem without affecting your data drive.

xpd

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#174307 29-Oct-2008 09:51

You probably would notice a bit of extra performance if you used the new drive to boot from as its more likely to have a bigger cache and better seek times etc.
Ghost or TrueImage will quite happily help you do this, but as with any data manipulation, make sure you have back ups first.

Personally Id use the 500 for booting etc, and use the 80 as one of 3 options :
External drive (reqs enclosure)
Install Linux (Dual boot)
Dedicated swap drive for Windows/Photoshop/anything that likes a large amount of free temp space.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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waima20

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#174310 29-Oct-2008 09:57

Wow, thanks again for the prompt response and yes I have Windows XP.

waima20

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#174312 29-Oct-2008 09:59

and i also have backed up important stuff to an external hd

waima20

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#174314 29-Oct-2008 10:10

Not sure how it works...but when i look at "my computer" it shows drive (c) which seems to be the main drive then beneath that is drive (d) and named recovery...after that is removable disk (e) (f) etc...then dvd drive (j).

waima20

11 posts

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#174315 29-Oct-2008 10:11

Sorry about the waffle guys...but I meant to add the new drive is also there now.

waima20

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#174861 31-Oct-2008 13:34

XPD could you please elaborate on these comments;(if you dont mind)...something a dummy could understand.

"Personally Id use the 500 for booting etc, and use the 80 as one of 3 options :
External drive (reqs enclosure)...what does enclosure mean??
Install Linux (Dual boot)...Will linux become my other operating system??
Dedicated swap drive for Windows/Photoshop/anything that likes a large amount of free temp space."...dedicated swap drive?? and send Windows to the extra storage??

I appreciate if I`m too far from comprehending and am willing to get someone locally to help if you dont feel like wasting your time and thank you for your advice thus far.

Sharesies kids

Free kids accounts - trade shares and funds (NZ, US) with Sharesies (affiliate link).

xpd

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#174875 31-Oct-2008 14:14

External drive (reqs enclosure)...what does enclosure mean??

Basically take the 80gb out of the computer and use it in an external portable enclosure such as this.
That way its now a portable 80GB drive for you to take to work/friends etc

Install Linux (Dual boot)...Will linux become my other operating system??

Correct - when you turn on the computer you'll get asked which OS you want to use. Lot more people are starting to use Linux as a day to day OS (browsing, email etc) and just use Windows for games etc. It is advisable to have someone around who has set this up before though just to help out with any queries.

Dedicated swap drive for Windows/Photoshop/anything that likes a large amount of free temp space."...dedicated swap drive?? and send Windows to the extra storage??

Install Windows etc on the 500gb drive, and format the 80gb. Then set Windows swap/virtual memory to use the 80gb primarily. Photoshop and other programs also allow you to specify where their temporary files are located - this saves your 500gb getting thrashed and small temp files appearing all over your main OS drive. Keep a regular defrag going on it and you'll notice a bit of extra performance.

As mentioned before, make backups of your data first before playing with drives etc especially when playing with the above options

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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waima20

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#174888 31-Oct-2008 15:20

Many thanks..much appreciated advice.

tonyhughes

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#174932 31-Oct-2008 17:11

+ 1 on what xpd said. All good advice.

Definitley get your system imaged over to a partition on the new drive - system performance may noticeably increase.