Two SATA drive optimal configuration

[Dave Nuttall]

I've been trying to figure out the optimal way to use the two drives in my
system (currently one for XP [150 GB] and one for Vista [300 GB]) after I
make the move to Vista full-time.

The main interactive use of the system is video editing and DVD production.
The rest of the time it is a file and print server to the household (three
laptops and three TiVo's).

The mix of files on the system is video (average size 2 GB), photos (4 MB),
music (2.5 MB), software including Windows (0.2 MB), and temporary stuff (16
KB).

I'm concerned about disk fragmentation, not too happy with the Vista defrag,
but I don't want to have to babysit a third party defrag tool.

The best I can come up with is to clean install Vista on the 300 GB disk
with a big cluster size (16 KB, 32 KB, or 64 KB?).

Then copy all the good stuff from the 150 GB disk and re-format that with
the usual cluster size (4 KB). Move the pagefile to this disk, and then all
the temporary files (Temporary Internet Files and TEMP and TMP environment
variables for all the users; TEMP and TMP environment variables for System;
any others?)

I'll also use the 150 GB disk for other temporary files, such as downloading
video and photos from cameras.

Hopefully this will keep the 300 GB disk in a fairly clean state, and also
allow rapid processing of the video files, because of the large cluster
size. If I need extra work space for video processing, I'll be able to do a
very effective defrag of the 150 GB disk by deleting pretty much everything
on it.

Comments? Opinions? Anyone?

 

[Guest]

I have [2] Seagate SATA drives, 320 GB ea. I have done just what you are
descibing. I don't do the video and all, however, I am a self employed
architect since 1999 and perform client inspections, among other duties.
Anyway, I have MANY digital photos. I use my "D" drive as my backup location
and things like downloaded files, updates, etc.

If you have not done it, make a SATA driver disk on floppy prior to starting
the clean install. When you start the installation process, there is a moment
early when they ask if 3rd party drivers are needed. THEY ARE. This is the
time to install the driver. This is beeded in order for the drives to be read
at boot time. Kindof important...

Re defragging, i have used Diskkeeper for years. They have a Vista RC1 beta
that works great. The cool thing I've found is that when Diskkeeper is
installed, it takes the place of the standard Windows/Vista defragger. If I
remember correctly, the Diskkeeper folks make the WIndows defrag program.
Used to anyway. A couple side benefits... 1.) Diskkeeper has visual window
while program is working (std Vista defrag does not); 2.) it is MUC afster
than the installed std Windows defragger.

I hope this is helpful abd I didn't wander off the subject. Good luck!!!
--
Donald Mills

I've been trying to figure out the optimal way to use the two drives in my
system (currently one for XP [150 GB] and one for Vista [300 GB]) after I
make the move to Vista full-time.

The main interactive use of the system is video editing and DVD production.
The rest of the time it is a file and print server to the household (three
laptops and three TiVo's).

The mix of files on the system is video (average size 2 GB), photos (4 MB),
music (2.5 MB), software including Windows (0.2 MB), and temporary stuff (16
KB).

I'm concerned about disk fragmentation, not too happy with the Vista defrag,
but I don't want to have to babysit a third party defrag tool.

The best I can come up with is to clean install Vista on the 300 GB disk
with a big cluster size (16 KB, 32 KB, or 64 KB?).

Then copy all the good stuff from the 150 GB disk and re-format that with
the usual cluster size (4 KB). Move the pagefile to this disk, and then all
the temporary files (Temporary Internet Files and TEMP and TMP environment
variables for all the users; TEMP and TMP environment variables for System;
any others?)

I'll also use the 150 GB disk for other temporary files, such as downloading
video and photos from cameras.

Hopefully this will keep the 300 GB disk in a fairly clean state, and also
allow rapid processing of the video files, because of the large cluster
size. If I need extra work space for video processing, I'll be able to do a
very effective defrag of the 150 GB disk by deleting pretty much everything
on it.

Comments? Opinions? Anyone?