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Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
Hmmmmm
Maybe this is something for the 200+ ways of being addicted to SE4... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif One of my concerns has been about a self-destructing hard drive with the result that I would miss some PBW turns. So on boxing day, I bought a 60 Gig hard drive as a backup/secondary boot drive to my 40 Gig in case the 40 Gig self-destructs. I am now about to install the drive into an empty slot of my computer. However, because of the greater capacity of the 60 Gig, I am wondering if would be better to make it my primary drive and the 40 Gig my backup/secondary boot drive. The instructions are quite simple, the drive seems to be compatable with my system, but this is the first time I have ever installed a second hard drive or replace one for that matter. Does anyone have any thoughts, suggestions, ideas, on this. |
Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
Well, if your primary drive is larger than your backup, then you can't backup everything. On the other hand, if your backup is larger than your primary, then you're wasting space on the backup drive. You should run right back out and purchase another 60GB hard drive to replace your 40GB one. Of course, you could parlay this into a really big spending binge. "Accidentally" buy an 80GB drive, then buy a 100GB when trying to replace the "old" 60GB one... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
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That would be absolute proof of my addiction! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif |
Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
But Krswl, you just may have hit upon something. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
Special receptacles which will hold hard drives are available for installation into the vacant slot (something like $20.00). These allow for easy insertion and removal of hard drives by just pushing the hard drive in and pulling it out. I buy a bunch more 60 Gig drives. I push one 60 Gig into the slot. Update it! And take it out. Tomorrow I put in another hard drive. Update it and take it out. I continue rotating the bunch of hard drives each day and live free of the fear of losing any data or of not having a hard drive to boot my computer! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif I think this definitely qualifies as one of the 200+ addictions. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif |
Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
I would recommend using the faster one as the boot drive since the slowest thing on a computer is normally the harddrive, it will speed up all your operations. Since newer/larger drives seem to always be getting faster that would probably be the 50Gb.
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Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
Mmm, it all depends how old your 40GB harddisk is. When i is quite new then the speed difference might not be that great to your 60GB harddisk. To reach maximum security, you can do this:
1.) Install your 60GB HD as your secondary drive (usually D:). 2.) Put all your "Your Files"-Folder on D:, especially your Email and Address-Data (bad memories http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif ). 3.) Backup these files regularly to C: 4.) Once in a while (4 weeks or so) make a disk-image from C: to D:. In the case that C: goes bye-bye, you can restore your system with all the data in less then 20 minutes to the point of the Last disk-image. This has saved my bud several times now. |
Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
Depending on your options:
Use a CD R to back up your data. Have copies of your data at a friends house and at work. (I'm paranoid). Use the 60 as your Main drive because it is newer and more relyable. It might also be faster. |
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Business solutions are an entirely different story... |
Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
There are some more or less standard solutions, but they all depend on what operating system you are running. As Rdouglass has already posted, backing up to removable media is your best solution. If you take the time to do the back ups, and do a test restore once and a while, they are very reliable. Disk images are OK, but it would take a lot of time to do on a daily basis. If you want on the fly protection, then you need to set up a mirror; just remember that they need to be backed up too. In short, backing up to a second drive is not really a reliable back up, it only protects against the failure of the primary drive. If I remove IBM hard drives from the equation, main Boards fail more often then hard drives on the average home computers I service. And there is one very popular chipset in wide use that is becoming notorious for corrupting data written to the hard drive if default bios settings are used.
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Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
rdouglass is right about the relyablity issue.
Over all I'd say, Prepare the 60 to be hooked up on a moments notice and store it in a safe place. Make daily, (or when ever needed), backups to a CD R. Store copys of critcal backups off site. Sleep Easy. |
Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
This thread is giving me data paranoia
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Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
I have not had a problem with my Western Digital hard drives. Other than finding a good home for the old ones when I upgrade.
I have been using a 27gig drive for about 4 years now. It has outLasted a CD-RW, a monitor, and stayed with me through 2 major upgrades. One note about adding another drive. Many games look for the CD in the drive (letter) it was installed from. Ex: a MOO2 installed from drive D will not run from drive E. You would have to reinstall it or maybe edit a setup file. |
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And I agree, WD's are good. I use WD and Seagate now. |
Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
Perhaps some related tales from work and home http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
The Tale of Thunder: Early one morning, the receptionist at work, sat down to start work. She pushed the power button on her PC. BOOOM! A cloud of smoke started rising from the cubicle beside her. BOOM! Another cloud from the next one after that. BOOM! Another one in the third cubicle. As it was starting to get pretty smoky in the office at that point, she was starting to panic, called the bosses downstairs, and was running around turning everything off that she could. The electrician had to be called in to redo the wiring in the walls. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif Total casualties: - 3 power supplies - 1 motherboard - 0 harddrives. At home, My power supply quietly started increasing the voltage going out for an unknown reason. The harddrive was the first to go. Replacements ran way too hot (>45 degrees C) even when idling. Burned out after only a week of use. In the meantime, my CPU fan died, and would twitch sporadically instead of spin. Likely the same problem. By the time I discovered what was going on, it was too late, and my motherboard was toast too. The only original components on my PC now are the outer case, 50% of the RAM, and the CPU. Yet despite all that, my files are mostly intact. I had made a disk image of my C:drive back in August, and had all my files on different partitions of the single 40GB disk. So I had my image, of all places, on the same physical disk as the data it was backing up! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif At the moment, I have one 40GB primary drive in my machine, split into the C-Drive (windows) and D-Drive (games/files), and E-Drive (windows CD) I also invested in an "industrial grade" surge protector and a CD-rewritable drive. Ten bucks for a package of CD-RWs, and I now have a set of 650 Meg "floppies" to use for backing things up on. Works just like the A drive used to when harddrives were 40 Megabytes http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif What I would like to do is to make a basic install of windows, and load my regular programs, but to the D:drive. Then take an image of the C-drive to capture the registry, and all the windows files in one swoop. Should fit on a regular CD or two. Then I can use my rewritables to back up my SE4 mods and savegames each turn. As well as anything other miscellaneous documents and files.(They're good for thousands of erasings and rewritings.) With that combination, I will feel safe. Plus, I can wipe out viruses and system problems by formatting the C-drive, and dropping the Image back on without wrecking anything else. The only things that I'd need to worry about would be my Favorites/shortcuts and my desktop files. PS: Oh, and given two different sized drives, I would use the smaller one for windows and try to leave a lot of free space on it. That will help with fragmentation, swapfile, and speed of access. [ January 03, 2003, 17:12: Message edited by: Suicide Junkie ] |
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There is a PC Club store near me. They carry good quality stuff. But I would still reasearch the stuff first. I learned my lesson the hard way at a cheap outlet. Example: TNT2 video card made by ARCADE. The first one did not work at all, the second kept crashing 3D programs. I spent hours trying different drivers. I gave up on it, returned it and got charged a restocking fee. I replaced it with a highly rated brand name and had no trouble after that. ----------------------------------------------- You Get What You Pay For! Really? Well, then I'll charge double. Bwahahahahaha [ January 03, 2003, 22:01: Message edited by: Wardad ] |
Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
SJ, You back up the registry?
I only backup my Malfador Machinations folder, the documents I create, and the few other things I download. I worked with some techs who were dedicated gamers. They wiped their hard drive clean 3 times a year and started over with a fresh copy of Win95 (Win98 too?). That's a little to much work for me. I'd hate to spend hours on-line updating winblows, directx, and norton security. |
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Not to mention that all the networking, and other annoying stuff is caught by the image too http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif |
Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
I am now reformatting my HD to have a separate partition for Winblows. 3 GB should be enough. It will allow me to wipe it and reinstall windows easily in the future, to keep the system at optimal levels. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
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I've done complete HD reformats and clean reinstalls of Windows95 twice; once to purge a particularly nasty virus, and once to rebuild a corrupted device driver.
I may have to try to add a second HD to this system; I think the scavenged HD has the drivers for the backup monitor. |
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I have been working with 2 GB and have had no difficulty with upgrades etc. |
Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
It is generally recommended that you use the hard drive with the better stats as your primary drive...
Most likely this will be the new drive... With that 60 gig I recommend that you partition it as follows c: 10 gigs d: 25 gigs e: 25 gigs Old drive f : 20 gigs g : 20 gigs Only have the OS on the C drive... d: install programs to e: install games to f: data drive, ftp stuff and back up of data from d and e g: install testing software / demo's or stuff your going to delete.. That way if you need to reinstall the OS only the c drive needs to be formated... and u do not lose any data on a rebuild. If you MOBO can handle auto detect... then no problems on installing the new drive... If not switch the pin on the old drive to slave and on the new one to master... H : and beyond will be your cd roms dvd roms etc... |
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Business solutions are an entirely different story...</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">rdouglass http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif 20 cents a CD!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, to be so lucky as to live in the U.S. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif The best I have been able to do is 50 cents a CD. And that is buying generic, in bulk and on sale. The reason is that Canadian sales of blank CD's and other removeable data storage have a "surcharge" for the support Canadian artists. The Canadian government is very careful to say it is not a "tax" but the effect is the same. But whatever you call it the effect is the same. So, right now the surcharge is about 30% of the price of a blank CD. This year, the representatives for the artists wanted a further increase in the surcharge. A groundswell composed of various manufacturers, computer Users, hobbyists, etc opposed the application which if approved would have meant that the retail price of a blank CD would more than double. So, what did the commission do? It postponed everything for a year! The interesting thing is that we Canadians have been paying the "surcharge" for a number of years and the Canadian artists have yet to see a penny of it. |
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20 cents a CD-R, That is outragous. I don't spend more than 14 cents.
The labels, Ink, and CD pockets cost much more than the actual CD. |
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Ooops correction.
The 50 cents applied to a 50 pack I bought about two years ago. I did buy a 100 pack on boxing day for $39.95 which is 40 cents a CD. One of the benefits of living in Alberta is that we do do not have a provincial sales tax. Also 40 cents Canadian translates into about 27 cents US. But sales tax or not, there is still a wide gulf between 27 cents and 14 cents, most of which is accountable by the "surcharge" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif . [ January 05, 2003, 04:05: Message edited by: tbontob ] |
Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
FYI, I pulled this off of www.examnotes.com
There was some discussion on HD size limits, partion limits, and maximum file sizes. ------------------ Here’s the real information on hard drive limitations. ATA interface Versions up through ATA-5 suffered from a drive capacity limitation of 136.9GB. Depending on the BIOS used, this limitation can be further reduced to 8.4GB, or even as low as 528MB. This is due to limitations in both the BIOS and the ATA interface, which when combined creates even further limitations. You have to look at the BIOS and ATA interface to understand these limits. The BIOS- based driver for hard disks is accessed via software interrupt 13h, which offers functions for reading and writing drives at the sector level. Starting in 1993-94, most BIOSes began implementing fixes for the problems limiting drive capacity, which enable drives up to the BIOS limit of 8.4GB to be used. This fix involved what is termed parameter translation at the BIOS Setup level, which adapted or translated the cylinder, head, and sector numbers to fit within the allowable BIOS parameters. Virtually all PC BIOSes since 1994 have translation capability in the BIOS setup, and virtually all offer both CHS translation as well as LBA translation modes. To ensure further development and compatibility, after several revisions in 1996, Phoenix turned over documentation to the National Committee on Information Technology Standards (NCITS) for further enhancement and certification as a standard called the “BIOS Enhanced Disk Drive Specification (EDD). If your system BIOS dates to 1998 or later, you most likely have EDD support, which means support for drives as large as 136.9GB. With the ATA-6 specification in 2001, a new 48-bit address scheme has been designed that extends the limits to 2 ^48 sectors, which is 144.12PB (petabytes). Because the BIOS services allows up to 2^64 sectors, the 144 petabyte limitation will be the lower of the two that will apply. That should hold us for a while. Operating systems Limitations 1. DOS/Windows 3x – D0S 6.2 or lower cannot support drives greater than 8.4GB. DOS 7.0 or higher (I\included with Windows 95 or later) is required to recognize a drive over 8.4GB. 2. Windows 9X/Me – Windows 95a (original Version) does support the INT13h extensions, which means it does support drives over 8.4GB; however, due to limitations of the FAT16 file system, the maximum individual partition size is limited to 2GB. Windows 95B/OSR2 or later (including Windows 98/ME) supports the INT13h extensions, which allows drives over 8.4GB, and also supports FAT32, which allows partitions sizes up to the maximum capacity of the drive. 3. Window NT – Windows NT 3.5x does not support drive greater than 8.4GB. Windows NT 4.0 does support drives greater than 8.4GB; however, when a drive larger than 8.4GB is being used as the primary bootable device, Windows NT will not recognize more than 8.4GB. Microsoft has released Service Pack 4, which corrects this problem. 4. Window 2000/XP – Windows 2000/XP support drives greater than 8.4GB. 5. OS/2 Warp – Some Versions of OS/2 are limited to a boot partition size of 3.1GB or 4.3GB. IBM has a Device Driver Pack upgrade that enables the boot partition to be as large as 8.4GB. The HPFS files system in OS/2 will support drives up to 64GB. 6. Novell – NetWare 5.0 or later supports drives greater than 8.4GB FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS 5 size limitations 1. FAT16 – FAT16 uses 16-bits. Supports volumes from 16MB through 2GB by MS-DOS and most Versions of Windows. (Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP support FAT16 volumes as large as 4GB) 2. FAT32 – FAT32 uses 32-bits. This value is equivalent to 2^28, not 2^32, because 4 bits out of the 32 are reserved for other uses. This expanded value expands the 2GB limit on partition sizes; FAT32 partitions can theoretically be up to 2TB in size (1TB = 1,024GB). 3. NTFS 5 – Because NTFS file offsets are 64 bits long, files and partitions and be up to 16EB (exabytes) in size. (1EB = 2^64 bytes = 17,179,869,184TB) Now for Microsoft politics. Under Windows 2000 and XP, even though FAT32 supports Volumes from 512MB to 2 TB, the FAT32 volume can only be up to 32GB. Microsoft really wants you to use NTFS which can have volumes larger than 2 Terabytes. Hope this helps clear up some of the questions on Hard Drive size limitations.[b] Last edited by Patrickjb on 12-30-02 at 12:56 PM ---------------------------------- also FYI: http://www.winnetmag.com/Articles/I...?ArticleID=8294 |
Re: Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer
I have two drives on my computer, both the same speed. I partitioned one, and put the OS in its own separate drive. It works out great, plenty of space for backing up stuff, lots of room for games. Windows boots really fast. Downloaded files are the most important things I like to back up.
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