Hi all, I am about to upgrade my system with a new Hard Drive, a seagate barracuda 250GB (16Mb cache). I own a second hard drive of 80GB capacity (8Mb cache). I plan to install XP SP2 but can't decide on which Hard Drive to install it. I'm thinking of installing XP on the 80GB one with tow partitions (one for system files and one for games/music softwares etc). And use the 320GB one for data. Is that the right way, or should I install XP on my new drive because it is faster bigger and brand new ?? Any advice welcome, and many thanks for reading.

So you have three drives? I'd install the OS on the 80 GB and use the 250 for data and the 320 as a backup drive...Partitioning all three as you wish. Life's more painless for the brainless.

Of course it is better to install OS on the faster drive. I'd recommend you to partition your new drive in that way: 320g drive 40g - OS 120g - games 120g - video 40g - other data And make your old drive for backup. If I were you I would purchase an external USB drive case.

Ok thanks for the two answers so I have two different suggestions... Just to clarify I have only two drive (mistake in my first post) 320 and 80G. So OS should be on the faster drive ? Even if it's the bigger ? Is that a 100% sure suggestion ? Thanks again

You will never get 100% agreement on an issue like this. everyone has their own preferences. But, your OS drive will get more use than any other, so I would also put it on the fastest drive. However, depending on how you use your computer would affect how you should partition. I would go with about 40GB partition for the OS as clacker suggested, but the rest is a little trickier. Unless you have a discrete need for multiple other partitions (such as video editing) I would partition the rest of the space on the big drive as just 1 partition (i.e. 40GB & 280GB). Then I'd use the 80GB drive as a single partition for backing up the OS partiion and any other important files. Also, with regards to the OS partition, I would only install what I consider crucial applications - i.e. if your system goes down and you need to be back up and running, what applications do you need right away? Games and other ancilliary applications I would install to the 2nd partition. Michael J

o/s on the Fastest drive.

In regards to "fastest": seems I remember that if the newer one is faster, but they are both installed on the same cable, the new one won't be any faster than the slower one. Is this correct? If so, then.....?