Adding 2nd SATA HDD to replace IDE

[CrazyIrishman]

Ever since I added a Seagate 320 SATA HDD in June as HDD #2, I've given some thought to adding a 2nd SATA to replace my Maxtor 250 gig IDE HDD. The Seagate HDD being used is a Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) OEM. The Maxtor is p/n # 6L250RO (16MB cache,7200 rpm).

Now nothing is wrong with the Maxtor, but I like the ease of setting up a SATA not to mention the smaller cables. At first I didn't want to get a SATA drive but now I'm glad I did.

Here's the question:

The Maxtor has the OS and other files, plus the OS isn't partitioned from the rest. I want to partition the SATA so its easier to fix the OS in the future, and it doesn't take other files with it should it crash.

If I was to install another SATA....

1) Should I clone from the IDE,
2) Format new SATA, partition for OS, Do a clean install to SATA , then move files from IDE?
3) Keep everything as is until the IDE actually needs replacement?
4) Any other options? Suggestions are appreciated!!!

Unlike the IDE Slave/Master set-up, when you have a SATA HDD w/ OS, is it a problem booting from it or is this worked out in BIOS?


Thanks,

CI

[EzyStvy]

Can't say that I would bother with anything...If you don't open the case, you'd never know the difference.

But, you could use Acronis to image the drive. It will let you create additional partitions during the process.

[Cricket]

I would just leave the computer alone for now...unless you really want to do this for the experience.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Cricket

[TwoRails]

I agree with the above: it's a lot of work for next to zero gain. If you have an IDE optical drive, you won't even get rid of the ribbon cable for appearance's sake. I would just add another SATA for storage, but not to boot from, if you need the space.

[CrazyIrishman]

Hi guys,

EzyStvy,

Do I need to use Acronis just for one partition? I only want to separate the OS from the rest in case it takes a dump I don't lose the rest (I hope).


Cricket,

No truer words were ever said concerning "if it ain't broke don't fix it". I usually feel the same way. About the HDD, I wasn't gonna do it as much for the experience as having both drives being the same type. After I bought the Maxtor (new in April '07) I realized that I could use two drives instead of one. Originally I was gonna get another Maxtor but it was getting to find the one I wanted . After a couple conversations with TwoRails I decided to go SATA. My only regret is not having gone with SATA from the beginning.


TwoRails,

Its all yer fault I got started with SATA anyway!LOL! I kind of figured that there wouldn't be a performance gain to be had. I just though that in the long run I would be better off with one technology than two.

You're right about the optical drives too. I did forget about the cables on them at first, then remembered I swapped out the ribbon and used round ones instead.

Guess I'll leave everything the way it is for right now.



One last thing......what would y'all suggest for a back-up system ? Which drive, enclosure, etc., should I go with?


THX
CI

[TwoRails]

Thanks for jogging my memory, CrazyIrishman - Ya, Maxtor ATA133s are faster than they get credit for. I've benched them against WD and Seagate and they always trumped them. One day I'll benchmark one against the newer Seagate SATA drives: they are pretty fast, too.

As far as a back up system goes, I'd just go with an external enclosure and that other HD. Apricon is highly recommend around here for an enclosure as they are good units and come with with backup software. I just use a dongle and attach it to one of my spare drives for non OS back ups.

I think this is the one glc recommends if you system has eSATA:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817362002

You can look at the other ones at Newegg.

[CrazyIrishman]

Hi TR,


That seems to be a nice set-up and the people who left feedback actually did most of it in a coherent way! LOL!

I don't have e-SATA on my mobo but I do have a few USB ports . Some of the feedback mentioned that early units were e-SATA only but now they can use either e-SATA or USB.

The price is less than I expected too. At the moment NewEgg is out of stock.

Can you or glc suggest a Seagate HDD to use for the enclosure? I'm looking at a 500GB Hdd to use but I'm not sure which is the best one for the specific use or even if it matters.

Which do you think is best for the application?

Seagate ST3500631NS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148286

OR THIS ONE....(both are priced at $119.99)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288


If neither one is good to use in an external enclosure then feel free to suggest something. One last thing. Would it be ok to have a copy of the OS on the back-up HDD too?


THX
CI

[glc]

The Barracuda.

A copy of the OS will do nothing for you except take up space. However, you can use the included EZ-Gig software to create a full compressed image of your drive on the external. EZ-Gig is an OEM version of Acronis True Image.

[CrazyIrishman]

Both of my internal drives total 570 GB (1-250GB & 1-320GB) . When choosing a back-up system whats a good way to figure out what size your back-up should be?

I was thinking about 500 GB but I'm not sure. I currently have alot of free space available on internal drives which wouldn't even come close to maxxing out a 500 GB HDD right now.

About the EZ-Gig software, will this come with the enclosure or the Barracuda HDD?


Thanks,

CI

[TwoRails]

As glc already said: the Barracuda

The software comes with the enclosure.

Now the real question: how big a drive? You logic is correct, mathematically. My logic is get as big as one as you can afford. There is never enough room for me, but then again you may never fill those two drives you have now. And the cherry on the cake is that drive prices have been falling for years now... Now that 1 TB drives are out, their prices are already dropping, too. You have to figure into the equation of: how long do you want to wait? The longer the wait, the greater the risk.

HTH

TR

[CrazyIrishman]

Thanks for your help guys!

I was leaning toward the 'cuda HDD since I already have one that performs good (so far), but after seeing two 500's listed, and for the same money, choosing the 'cuda became less certain.

Regarding drive capacity, 500 GB's should work fine for the present, while 750GB's would probably "future proof" it almost indefinitely. A 1TB drive OTOH would be overkill (for me).


Thanks,
CI