Adding a second Hard Drive to a computer

tbontob · #1 January 3rd, 2003, 07:29 AM

Hmmmmm

Maybe this is something for the 200+ ways of being addicted to SE4...

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.

Krsqk · #2 January 3rd, 2003, 07:53 AM

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...

tbontob · #3 January 3rd, 2003, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Krsqk:
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...

And then into a 200 Gig....

That would be absolute proof of my addiction!

tbontob · #4 January 3rd, 2003, 08:53 AM

But Krswl, you just may have hit upon something.

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!

I think this definitely qualifies as one of the 200+ addictions.

Slick · #5 January 3rd, 2003, 09:36 AM

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.

Mephisto · #6 January 3rd, 2003, 11:47 AM

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

).
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.