OS Drive & Data Drive

[Jeri]

I wasn’t sure where to post this question, but I am planning on a new build so I think this applies...

I like the idea of 2 drives – one for the OS/programs, and one for data. Do you gurus like this too?

Is it true that if a system gets infected then it will be on the OS drive? So, reformatting and replacing just that drive would be relatively painless?

Is there a sticky or someplace you can point me to so I can educate myself on this? I would like to learn how to create a clone of the OS drive so that it would be really easy to replace. I would also like to learn how to move the Documents and Settings folder to the second data drive. I did play with this and got it working (changed all Registry settings to D:...), but everyone’s login was sort of messed up. That is, even though their login name was the same, I think the registry had it slightly different so that all there stuff didn’t show up (I hope that makes sense). So, I need to better understand how to tweak the Registry settings in this area so the family doesn’t freak and think their stuff is gone for good.

I’m sure there are other questions that I don’t even know to ask! Hopefully there is an article(s) you can point me to.

Thanks!

[glc]

I would also like to learn how to move the Documents and Settings folder to the second data drive.

That's easy. Each user needs to right click on My Documents, then click Properties. Then click Move and define the new path.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Yes. It's better to keep the OS and programs separate from the user's data: not only does this minimise the risk of data loss, but should disaster happen, it's makes it easier to reformat the OS drive/partition* and reinstall the OS, because the data that really matters is safe somewhere else.

If you cannot afford two drives, then buy a large drive and divide it into two partitions, one for the OS, one for the data.

As for "cloning" the OS, you're talking about making an image that you can use to restore the OS to a point in which it was working. Having an image saves you the trouble to install the OS, all the updates, and then all the programs and customisations. Look at Acronis True Image Home for that.

[glc]

If you have a Western Digital or Seagate drive, you can download their free version of Acronis. It's not as fully featured, but it can clone and image.

[Jeri]

All good info – Thank you!

About moving “Documents and Settings”. Perhaps I’m not explaining myself, or perhaps I don’t understand (likely), or perhaps this is different on Win 7? But on a fresh install of the OS, I want the “Documents and Settings” folder to be on a different drive from the OS - so that this will be the default area for all future programs to use. Does this make sense? Is this how everyone else does it too? It is my understanding that this has to be changed in the Registry – in multiple places.

[Jeri]

Let me try to explain the user issue…

I reformatted and reloaded the OS drive which creates a default “Documents and Settings” folder on C, but I already have what I want on D. So, I correctly changed all registry settings from C:\Documents and Settings to D:\Documents and Settings and was able to Delete the C:\Documents and Settings folder – proving I made all the changes correctly.

Time to add my users – I’ll add Katie first. My computer’s name is Snoopy. When I add Katie and login as her, here Documents and Settings folder is empty (brief panic ). Using Explorer, I see 2 folders for Katie – one for “Katie” (all the old stuff is there – phew!) and one for “Katie.Snoopy”, which is empty. Somehow, Mark has Mark, Mark.Snoopy, and Mark.Snoopy.000!

OK – writing this all out makes it pretty clear. When creating a new user, the OS sees that there is already a folder named “Katie”, so it makes one called “Katie.Snoopy” and places this info into the registry. So, what I need to do is find all “Katie.Snoopy”s in the Registry and change them to "Katie". Then delete the "Katie.Snoopy" folder.

OK – Am I off in space here?

[Nuclear Krusader]

Originally Posted by Jeri All good info – Thank you! About moving “Documents and Settings”. Perhaps I’m not explaining myself, or perhaps I don’t understand (likely), or perhaps this is different on Win 7? But on a fresh install of the OS, I want the “Documents and Settings” folder to be on a different drive from the OS - so that this will be the default area for all future programs to use. Does this make sense? Is this how everyone else does it too? It is my understanding that this has to be changed in the Registry – in multiple places.

No. No registry tampering needs to be done. In Windows 7 all you have to do is what G suggested. Very simple.

[glc]

All you have to do is log each user in and move their My Documents as I described. NOTE that all this does is move My Documents - not the rest of the settings.

[Nuclear Krusader]

And do the same for Pictures, Music and Videos. Note that, unlike in XP, in Windows Vista/7 these folders are no longer contained under My Documents.

[bikerchris]

Just my two pence, but I've used Macrium Reflect for around 4 years now and it's pretty good. It takes a few hours (automated), but that's a few hours you don't have to be downloading patches and installing your usual software.

I got my copy free from PCPro (magazine).

[David M]

I have a clone that I call "Old" from when after I installed the OS, updated it and installed all my software. I also have a clone I call "New" which is usually not more than a month old. I also have an external drive which backs up everyday. The reason for having two clones is that if something is screwed up and I do a New clone and I still cannot fix the problem then I can resort back to my Old clone.

If malware ever wipes out everything, I will never need to start from scratch plus my data is protected since it is impossible for malware to affect a clone that is not connected to the computer. I leave my two clones in the hard drive rack with both the power and data cables disconnected.

The other nice thing about having a cloned drive is that all it takes is a few minutes to swap it out and you are back in business with hopefully minimal loss of data if it's a recent clone or better yet if your external backup drive has what is missing and was not damaged by the malware.

At 4 cents per gig, hard drives are becoming too cheap to bother with optical disks when you have a significant amount of data to back up.

I think that having an Acronis boot disk is very worthwhile.

[Jeri]

Would it be a good idea to partition the OS disk and use it for backup of the Data disk?

With the original 2 HDD idea (1 for OS/Programs, 1 for Data) I was thinking of getting a small HDD for the OS and a larger one for the Data. However with the prices of HDD’s, I will likely be going with 2-750s. Now it seems wasteful to dedicate all that space to just the OS/Programs – do you agree? Would it be a good idea to partition the OS disk and use one of the partitions to backup the Data disk?

I’m a novice so please don’t assume anything! If this is a stupid idea you can say so.

[Nuclear Krusader]

You could do that, yes. It all depends on how much data you have. I wouldn't have an OS partition any smaller than ~300 GB. But again, it all depends on the use of the machine; on mine, I've got a fair amount of programs installed and am sitting currently at ~100 GB or a 430 GB partition. A good rule of thumb is to always have about 50% of the OS drive/partition free. Keep in mind that the Windows folder will never stop growing. So, do the math.

[glc]

No, your best data backup would be on an external drive. Use one drive for both OS/Programs and Data (partition if desired, but it's not necessary) and back the whole thing up to the other drive in a USB or eSATA housing.

Newegg.com - Rosewill RX-358 V2 SLV (Silver) 3.5" SATA to USB & eSATA External Enclosure w/Int.80mm Fan

[Jeri]

Glc – I respect you very much and value your advice – but I don’t always know how to take your replies. Ignorance on my part I’m sure.

You don’t like to put the OS & Data on separate drives? Ever? The arguments I’ve read as well as my own very limited experience suggest that if (when) the OS needs to be replaced, it is much easier when the Data is on a separate drive. Is this incorrect? Perhaps backup has changed to the point where this is no longer the case? Perhaps with Win 7 things have changed (currently running XP)?

I currently backup to Carbonite. I don’t mind learning a better way. Would an external HD allow me to easily replace everything if the disk needs to be wiped and the OS reinstalled due to Virus, Malware, ??? I do have kids that use these computers and try as I might, things do get through. You say “back the whole thing up” – do you mean just the Data or the OS & programs too? Could this not also be compromised if there is a virus?

As I type this I’m looking at one of my home computers showing the blue screen of death. {sigh}

[Nuclear Krusader]

G is objecting to using a partition in the first drive to backup the personal data that you're gonna be putting in the second drive. He's not objecting to using the second drive for your data.

Using the second drive for your data IS the way to go, chiefly for the reasons that you mention.

His suggestion of using an external unit to back up is sound as well, even if you end up using half of your first drive to backup the data on the second. You can never have too many backups: it's healthy to have a backup outside the computer. Imagine both drives fail; if you have your data backed up in an external unit, no big deal.

[Panama Red]

Can I throw in my 2 cents? Having backup copies of your files is fine. And multiple backup sources is even better, whether it's on your own external or Carbonite. BUT, I much prefer an IMAGE backup using Acronis or similar products that allow you to capture an image of the ENTIRE hard drive. That way you not only have all your personal files backed up but you also have all the programs and the operating system captured at that moment in time. Using the backup software from a boot disk then allows you to restore your complete image from the backup drive to a new hard drive if yours should fail. Getting rid of infections is time consuming but not nearly as time consuming as reinstalling Windows, drivers and all your programs, and then restoring your backed up files. Ever lose a product key for software you depend on? A backup image takes away that issue too. As I said, just my 2 cents.

[glc]

If you want to use separate drives for OS and data, that's fine - but buy a THIRD drive for external use. Is that any more clear? You can store Acronis images of both drives on the external. If you buy WD drives, you can download Acronis WD Edition free from WD.

[Jeri]

Thank you to everyone for all the help – I really do appreciate it. :-)

I’m now leaning toward buying 3 HDs for each build.

Will I be able to keep a static clone of the OS disk on the 3rd disk *and* have the Data disk backup to the 3rd disk on a daily basis as well? I will be buying WD and will download their Acronis edition – is this all I need for both of these tasks?

May I ask why the third drive needs to be external as opposed to being housed in the case?

Thank-you!

Jeri

[glc]

You don't need a static clone - you can use an image. The image is restorable to a blank drive by booting with the Acronis rescue media.

External is recommended so you can store it off site or in a fire safe. An internal backup is worthless if the whole computer is destroyed.

Now, this brings up another issue. The WD Edition can only do full backups. They can either be stored separately, or they can overwrite the previous backup. Either way, this can get a bit time-consuming to do on a daily basis if you have a lot of files. If you want the ability to do differential or incremental backups, you have to buy the retail Acronis software.