EZ-BIOS, Formatting & Partitioning HD's

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I realize this is a big question. I have been surfing for a week and am
quite confused. A lot of the recommendations might be to solve obsolete
problems. I want to figure out the best way to set up my brand new (arrived
11/30/05) Dell E510 desktop:

945G Chipset, P4 630 HT 3.0GHz
Internal: 1) Dell 160GB HD, 2&3) Maxtor DiamondMax10’s 300GB, 4) Floppy
(taking forum advice), 5) CD/DVD Reader
External: 6) Sony USB2.0 DVD Burner, 7) IEEE 1394 Card
Video: 128MB PCI Express, DVI cable to LCD
Software: XP Media Ctr, Norton Ghost 10 (taking forum advice), Maxblast 4
(Maxtor download)

I figure I want to load OS, programs & drivers on 160GB, 1st Maxtor for
Data, 2nd Maxtor for Disk Image of 160GB. I bought the 3 HD ($90) to
possibly eliminate some partitioning (taking forum advice).

Would like to boot off 3rd HD if need to reformat 1st.

Questions:
Will latest 11/30/05 Dell BIOS with XP Media Ctr, read 300GB HD/partitions?
Does it automatically have 48b LBA enabled? I think so, but if not, there
seems to be many places I can enable this from. Which is best?
Do I need/want Maxtor EZ-BIOS?
Should I partition 160GB at all?
Maybe I should just partition 3rd 300GB drive at 160GB, image from 160GB to
this, and save rest for data backup.
Should I load OS on 3rd HD, or is imaging better?
Should I format with XP MC, or Maxblast 4?
Should I partition with XP MC, Maxblast 4, or Norton Ghost 10?
Should I image OS, programs, drivers, settings with XP MC, Maxblast 4, or
Norton Ghost 10?

I don’t think I want to make periodic images. I don’t want to clone a
problem. I think I just want to get the OS, Programs, Drivers, etc. into a
good, lean state, then go back to that state (reformat and load image) to
eliminate full re-load when computer fizzles.

That’s a lot of questions to ask, but I could use some help…I want to get
everything well thought out, configured and trouble-shot by Christmas so my
daughters can actually play their favorite game.
 
kkf718 said:
I realize this is a big question. I have been surfing for a week and am
quite confused. A lot of the recommendations might be to solve obsolete
problems. I want to figure out the best way to set up my brand new (arrived
11/30/05) Dell E510 desktop:

945G Chipset, P4 630 HT 3.0GHz
Internal: 1) Dell 160GB HD, 2&3) Maxtor DiamondMax10’s 300GB, 4) Floppy
(taking forum advice), 5) CD/DVD Reader
External: 6) Sony USB2.0 DVD Burner, 7) IEEE 1394 Card
Video: 128MB PCI Express, DVI cable to LCD
Software: XP Media Ctr, Norton Ghost 10 (taking forum advice), Maxblast 4
(Maxtor download)

I figure I want to load OS, programs & drivers on 160GB, 1st Maxtor for
Data, 2nd Maxtor for Disk Image of 160GB. I bought the 3 HD ($90) to
possibly eliminate some partitioning (taking forum advice).

Would like to boot off 3rd HD if need to reformat 1st.

Questions:
Will latest 11/30/05 Dell BIOS with XP Media Ctr, read 300GB HD/partitions?
Does it automatically have 48b LBA enabled? I think so, but if not, there
seems to be many places I can enable this from. Which is best?
Do I need/want Maxtor EZ-BIOS?
Should I partition 160GB at all?
Maybe I should just partition 3rd 300GB drive at 160GB, image from 160GB to
this, and save rest for data backup.
Should I load OS on 3rd HD, or is imaging better?
Should I format with XP MC, or Maxblast 4?
Should I partition with XP MC, Maxblast 4, or Norton Ghost 10?
Should I image OS, programs, drivers, settings with XP MC, Maxblast 4, or
Norton Ghost 10?

I don’t think I want to make periodic images. I don’t want to clone a
problem. I think I just want to get the OS, Programs, Drivers, etc. into a
good, lean state, then go back to that state (reformat and load image) to
eliminate full re-load when computer fizzles.

That’s a lot of questions to ask, but I could use some help…I want to get
everything well thought out, configured and trouble-shot by Christmas so my
daughters can actually play their favorite game.
Click to expand...


Don't see your question on Usenet site for Dell ---

alt.sys.pc-clone.dell.

That would be the better place to ask these questions and there
are some very sharp people at that site and their replies may be
be more appropriate. Myself, I would probably join a chorus in
recommending that you find an OEM/VAR builder for this system.
 
With multiple new hds why didnt you just settle for RAID,make a RAID set,
then use other hds for data and/or install less used software to the 3rd,or
4th IDE or SATA drive(s).Youre going forward but taking back steps at the
same time,better re think about the hardware you just bought....
 
1st Ghostrider: Thanks, I have just posted to alt.sys.pc-clone.dell. I
would think I am the typical home buyer, just trying to be smart about our
computer, does that mean I need an OEM/VAR builder? It is starting to feel
like it... Anyway, thanks for the Norton Ghost advice, I purchased that
yesterday.

2nd Andrew E: Are you suggesting I send back my computer because I bought a
2nd $90 Hard Drive? RAID might be a good suggestion, I don't know anything
of the costs and benefits for that, but this is a simple home computer that
is going to run Google, MS Office, and a jukebox holding all my ripped CD's.
Nothing Mission Critical. I am just trying to make recovery/rebuild easier
if I have to do that every so often. Appreciate the thought, but I am not
sure what to do with it.
 
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