Could someone please explain?

[lock and load]

I keep hearing people saying "The trick is to run the OS on another hard drive."

Why?

What are the benefits?

And
I just purchased a notebook that will use two HDD's any advice, pointer ect..?

[dlb]

I think what these "people" are referring to, is to keep all your documents, pictures, music, etc on a separate hard drive than the drive on which you have your OS installed. In this type of scenario, if/when your OS gets trashed/infected/corrupt, you won't have to worry about backing up anything 'cuz it's already on a separate drive. IMO, installing your programs/software to a 2nd drive is pointless and ripe for problems, but some people do it and I have no idea why. But, like I said (and I practice what I preach), keeping all your 'important' stuff like pics, tunes, docs, downloads, etc., on a 2nd drive is definitely a good idea. I make it a point to reformat and reinstall my OS every 4-6 months regardless of what's going on. Right after I have a fresh install of Windows and my drivers, I install Office and all the other software I use regularly, then I use Acronis to create my own set of recovery discs. This way, when I do a clean install, I boot to an Acronis boot CD, and rebuild by OS and apps from the recovery discs I built earlier. It works great, and offers great peace-of-mind and time savings. Acronis was offering v8 for free awhile ago, and I took full advantage of it... it may be worth it to find out if it's still available. It's a bit light on tons of features, but for basic home use, it's a life-and-time-saver...

[tym]

Myself I firmly believe you need to back up your documents, music, your important stuff you Dont wanna loose. IMHO the best way is to back up all your files and such to DVD. After you Burn the DVD with all your important data, Just make sure you can access the files and such from the DVD. Make sure it burned ok.

Harddrives do fail, If its burned to DVD and the DVD is taken care of you have them forever. When I used to run dual hard drives I always backed up One harddrive and stored it on the other drive. I personally Use Nortons GHost 14.Never failed me once, saved me many times.

[lock and load]

I keep hearing people saying "The trick is to run the OS on another hard drive."

I have also heard it in relation to making the computer run faster. Any thoughts?

[Buck_nekid]

I have heard to put your page file one a separate (physical, not partition) drive. I have tried but I couldn't tell a difference in speed. I do as dlb does, with keeping everything separate. I run 3 hard drives, #1 for the OS and installed programs, #2 for my "stuff" and #3 is all music. For the same reason as above, when or if things go bad I am out nothing except some time setting it back up.

[plodr]

The only time I've partitioned a hd was to install another OS.
I do not store important files on my computer because the hd will die. I store on floppies, CDs, and USB sticks. If the files are extremely important, like irreplaceable pictures, then I make sure I have more than one copy burned or stored on different media.
I regularly "image" my computers using Acronis True Image. I have at least one image for every computer burned to CDs. I also have other images on my external hd. I burn images because if my external hd dies, I can't get to the images. Having an image on CD insures that if the install goes bad or the hd dies, I can resurrect the computer.

[collinsl]

Originally Posted by dlb

...cut...
Acronis was offering v8 for free awhile ago, and I took full advantage of it... it may be worth it to find out if it's still available. It's a bit light on tons of features, but for basic home use, it's a life-and-time-saver...

This offer has now expired.

[collinsl]

Originally Posted by plodr

The only time I've partitioned a hd was to install another OS.
I do not store important files on my computer because the hd will die. I store on floppies, CDs, and USB sticks. If the files are extremely important, like irreplaceable pictures, then I make sure I have more than one copy burned or stored on different media.
I regularly "image" my computers using Acronis True Image. I have at least one image for every computer burned to CDs. I also have other images on my external hd. I burn images because if my external hd dies, I can't get to the images. Having an image on CD insures that if the install goes bad or the hd dies, I can resurrect the computer.

Sorry, for saying this, but surely it is better to store important files on your computer as well as in your backups, because then all your files are in an easily accessible location and you have more backups of them.

[BILLMCC66]

I have an external drive (1 tb) and all the things i don't want to loose get backed up to that every couple of days or so.
Applications i use on a regular basis are still on the PC but others that i don't use frequently are deleted thereby keeping the PC uncluttered.
I also have a bootable copy of the OS that never sees daylight but it's there just in case.

[bigbazza]

My old (1999) model Gateway Solo 9300 had provision for 2 hard drives, in swoppable bays. I miss it.

What is the make and model of your new notebook?

Bazza

===

Originally Posted by lock and load

I just purchased a notebook that will use two HDD's any advice, pointer ect..?

[lock and load]

bigbazza,

Its a HP Pav dv 7t

From the pictures ive seen it sounds like your 9300

[lock and load]

The only thing is that its a monster 17" screen. Cant wait..

[lock and load]

I found the website with the Pics http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=284832

[bigbazza]

Thanks for the quick replies and link. Have bookmarked it. I'll think about it when (and if) I go to a 17" laptop.

Bazza

[lock and load]

Once mine comes in i am sure ill want to talk all about it let me know if there is anything you want to know the big day is the 15th.

[Drizzles]

Originally Posted by collinsl

Sorry, for saying this, but surely it is better to store important files on your computer as well as in your backups, because then all your files are in an easily accessible location and you have more backups of them.

I would have to agree with collinsl ... believe it or not, CD and DVDs alike are known to eventually degrade, even if stored properly. USB sticks technically shouldn't die but you never know. I have a HDD docking station and multiple HDDs. I have TWO backups of my Entire external drive, so if one dies I still have the other.

[bigbazza]

I hope your new laptop has arrived. I'd love to know the Windows Experience Rating (WEI). Can you itemise the 5 components rated in the WEI
for me. I am going to find out pricing and availability, in OZ, of your model.

Thanks, Bazza

===

Originally Posted by lock and load

Once mine comes in i am sure ill want to talk all about it let me know if there is anything you want to know the big day is the 15th.

[Just Playin]

Originally Posted by bigbazza

I hope your new laptop has arrived. I'd love to know the Windows Experience Rating (WEI). Can you itemise the 5 components rated in the WEI
for me. I am going to find out pricing and availability, in OZ, of your model.

Thanks, Bazza

===

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...nce-index.aspx

How is my base score determined?

The base score of your computer is determined by reviewing a collection of "subscores" assigned to various hardware components within your computer. Subscores are assigned to the following components:

*

RAM random access memory
*

CPU central processing unit
*

Hard disk
*

General graphics performance on the desktop
*

3D graphics capability

Your computer's base score is determined by the lowest subscore. For example, if the lowest subscore of a hardware component in your computer is 2.6, then the base score of your computer will be 2.6. The base score is not an average of the combined subscores.

The Windows Experience Index is designed to accommodate advances in computer technology. As hardware speed and performance improves, higher base scores will be introduced. However, the standards for each level of the index stay the same. For example, a computer scored as a 2.8 will remain as a 2.8 unless you decide to upgrade your computer's hardware.

[bigbazza]

Just Playin, I do know what a WEI is. I just want to know the readings for lock and load's new toy. Bazza

[lock and load]

As far as this computer goes its great i love it. It is a lil big need to get a new bag but....

WEI BASE SCORE:4.6
Processor: 4.9
Ram: 4.9
Graphics: 4.6
Gaming Graphics: 4.9
Primary hard disk: 5.5