Getting new HD

After a quick glance at my sig, you'll see that my system is being held back by 2 slow HDs. So I figured I'm going to sink some money into some Maxtor ATA-100/7200rpm HDs. I have several questions though:

1) For the same amount of money, I can get either a 60 GB or 2x30 GB HDs. Which way should I go?

2) After I have the new HD's:

a) Should I just copy the contents of the old one into the new one? Is there a utility that can make exact copies of 2 HD's of different sizes? The consideration here is that I don't have to reinstall Win98 and all the other software.

b) Should I start a clean install of Win? If so, what should I prepare? (Disks, drivers, backups?)

Thanks for the help.

------------------
Athlon T-Bird 900 Mhz
MSI K7T-Pro 2A
128 MB PC-133
64 MB PC-100 (2x)
20 GB Maxtor ATA 33/7200
6.4 GB Maxtor ATA 33/5400
Hercules MX II - 32 MB
HP CD-RW
Pioneer DVD (105-S)
Monster Sound MX300
19" KDS Flat Monitor

I know it's hard, but the best way to go is to make a fresh install of Windows on the new hard drive, and there after install all the programs and such. Yes, it takes some time but it will give you a much more stable system.

------------------
The major part of our exports goes to foreign countries. - George W. Bush.
There you have your new president, USA!

Quote:

---

Originally posted by coskuner1:
After a quick glance at my sig, you'll see that my system is being held back by 2 slow HDs. So I figured I'm going to sink some money into some Maxtor ATA-100/7200rpm HDs. I have several questions though:

1) For the same amount of money, I can get either a 60 GB or 2x30 GB HDs. Which way should I go?

2) After I have the new HD's:

a) Should I just copy the contents of the old one into the new one? Is there a utility that can make exact copies of 2 HD's of different sizes? The consideration here is that I don't have to reinstall Win98 and all the other software.

b) Should I start a clean install of Win? If so, what should I prepare? (Disks, drivers, backups?)

Thanks for the help.

---

I would go for the 2 30's if you have a Raid card or you have raid support on your mobo. If not and you really need that much space go for the 60. Although it is a pain in the *** i think i would do a fresh install get all the goobers out of your computer https://www.sharkyforums.com/images/.../2005/06/6.gif. You will need to prepare all your drivers and also backup that is of any importance to you. Otherwise as long as your current HDD are useing Fat partitions you can use a utility from Maxtor called Maxblast (comes with all new drives or can be downloaded from Maxtor.com) to transfer all your info to you new drive(s).

Shawn

i would drop the maxtors and pick up some IBM 60 GXP's. Those babies are sweet

------------------
In other words, those shamans maintained, according to don Juan, that any one of us can do away, for a moment,with our system of turning energy inflow into sensory data pertinent to the kind of organism that we are. Turning the inflow of energy into sensory data creates, shamans affirm, a system of interpretation that turns the flowing energy of the universe into the world of everyday life that we know.

Frist of all I would toss the Maxtors out the window and pick up some IBM's. Second of all, you can use disk imaging programs so that you don't have to reinstall windows, but a fresh install is needed every once in a while (I need one myself).

------------------
Women are meant to be loved, not understood.

[This message has been edited by Phoenix (edited May 24, 2001).]

Hmm...a new twist to the problem. Up to now I haven't even considered getting IBM Deskstars. The reason being that at Staples they have a special deal where they sell 30 GB Maxtor UATA-100 7200 for $119,- and throw in a stick of decent 128 MB PC-133 memory.

So for comparison: $120 buys me:

30 GB Maxtor HD, in Retail Box
128 MB PC-133 RAM (about $30,- value)

or

30 GB IBM Deskstar in OEM Box

Which is the better deal?



------------------
Athlon T-Bird 900 Mhz
MSI K7T-Pro 2A
128 MB PC-133
64 MB PC-100 (2x)
20 GB Maxtor ATA 33/7200
6.4 GB Maxtor ATA 33/5400
Hercules MX II - 32 MB
HP CD-RW
Pioneer DVD (105-S)
Monster Sound MX300
19" KDS Flat Monitor

Quote:

---

Originally posted by coskuner1:
After a quick glance at my sig, you'll see that my system is being held back by 2 slow HDs. So I figured I'm going to sink some money into some Maxtor ATA-100/7200rpm HDs.

---

You have another thing slowing down your system, and that is the mix between PC100 and PC133 memory. Your PC times to the slowest memory component, which means your PC133 is being downgraded to PC100 by your system. Weigh the quality/performance difference between the IBM drives and the Maxtor with the extra PC133 memory.

------------------
Visualize whirled peas.

how about this idea:

Get the IBM drive at 60 gigs

on one 5 gig partition put a fresh install of windows on it.

On the second parttition of 55 gigs, install the whole backup of the 20 gig drive. Then delete the windows directory in the second partition.

------------------
www.geocities.com/richardginn/templatehtml -Come visit the Template HTML homepage

Having two drives is better than having one for performance. When you have a second drive you should drop the swap file on your primary hard drive and make a set sized swap file on your secondary hard drive. Like say if you have 128megs of ram, make a 256meg swap file on your d:\ drive.

It makes a big cut down on unnecessary hard drive thrashing and speeds up access times.