How do I GHOST then use SATA? Which setup is best?

A

Augster

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 21, 2004
Messages
130
Hey,

I just purchased a 160GB WD SATA HD from newegg and, before it arrives, I'd like to know how I should set everything up. Any help is appreciated!

I currently have a WD 120GB Eide HD. What is the best way to integrate the new HD? Should I put my OS on it and keep the old 120GB for extra storage? Would this be the best performance? I am assuming so, as SATA is supposed to be faster, right?

So, if that is the case, I guess I should GHOST my HD to the new one, right? How do I do that? Just run Ghost and it will take care of everything? Total newbie to SATA and ghost for that matter.

I have a lot of DVD's and 2+GB files on my current HD, not including the OS and program files. Backing up these files will be a pain, so I'd like to not have to start all over with a new OS, but if that's the best way, I supposed I could do it.

Thanks for any help/advice! :D
 
umm, theoretically SATA is "faster". But just for normal single drive use, you won't notice any difference between the two.

Current PATA drives can't even reach it's maximum throughput. So I say do whichever is more convenient to you.
 
Cool,

So, I guess, I can just keep my EIDE 120 as my OS and Program disk, and use the SATA for file storage.(DVD'd, MP3's, Audio Recording) Does that sound about right?

I am installing it on an MSI K7N2 Delta-ILSR MOBO. What problems in installation can I expect? Or will the BIOS recognize it an fire it up as a backup drive?

Thanks for the help!
 
Assuming your using XP or 2000, you will have to go into Disk Management and create a partition and format it. It's probably one of the easiest things you could do in terms of adding hardware.
 
What? :) I just assumed Xp would recognize it and make it available.

If that's not the case, what do I have to do? How do I do the partition and format? Is there any advantage to making smaller partitions on the SATA drive? I was just going to make one BIG drive and divy everything up in folders. But, if there is an advantage to putting Video on Drive G, audio on Drive H etc., I'd definitely appreciate the extra performance!

Thanks!
 
Download WD data lifeguard.
It's much easier setting it up that way.

Or, if you prefer to do it manually.

Right click "My Computer" -> "Manage" -> "Disk Management" -> (right click on the new unpartitioned drive) -> Choose option to partition the drive

That's it. Pretty simple. :D

There are no performance gains in setting different partitions. I say just use it as one large drive. But it's just a matter of preference. Usually people utilize separate partitions for a drive to have different operating systems installed.
 
Originally posted by enyceexdanny
There are no performance gains in setting different partitions.
Click to expand...

Incorrect
a given file will not fragment to a different partition
so if the normal operating access is confined to a smaller partition
all seeks will have a smaller degree of arc to traverse.
In addition you can confine files that require high performance to the outer platter, where the best sustained transfer is)

That is a major performance increase
Advantages of Multi-Partition Drives & Optimizing Tutorial currently under construction

the SATA isnt necessarilly faster check the SR database

alternate directions to DiskManagement
Start > Run > (type) diskmgmt.msc

other parameters you might want to explore
compmgmt.msc
perfmon.msc
mmc (see the help section, build your own consoles)
 
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