EZ-BIOS, Formatting & Partitioning HD's

[Guest]

I realize this is a big question. I have been surfing for a week and am
quite confused. A lot of the recommendations might be to solve obsolete
problems. I want to figure out the best way to set up my brand new (arrived
11/30/05) Dell E510 desktop:

945G Chipset, P4 630 HT 3.0GHz
Internal: 1) Dell 160GB HD, 2&3) Maxtor DiamondMax10’s 300GB, 4) Floppy
(taking forum advice), 5) CD/DVD Reader
External: 6) Sony USB2.0 DVD Burner, 7) IEEE 1394 Card
Video: 128MB PCI Express, DVI cable to LCD
Software: XP Media Ctr, Norton Ghost 10 (taking forum advice), Maxblast 4
(Maxtor download)

I figure I want to load OS, programs & drivers on 160GB, 1st Maxtor for
Data, 2nd Maxtor for Disk Image of 160GB. I bought the 3 HD ($90) to
possibly eliminate some partitioning (taking forum advice).

Would like to boot off 3rd HD if need to reformat 1st.

Questions:
Will latest 11/30/05 Dell BIOS with XP Media Ctr, read 300GB HD/partitions?
Does it automatically have 48b LBA enabled? I think so, but if not, there
seems to be many places I can enable this from. Which is best?
Do I need/want Maxtor EZ-BIOS?
Should I partition 160GB at all?
Maybe I should just partition 3rd 300GB drive at 160GB, image from 160GB to
this, and save rest for data backup.
Should I load OS on 3rd HD, or is imaging better?
Should I format with XP MC, or Maxblast 4?
Should I partition with XP MC, Maxblast 4, or Norton Ghost 10?
Should I image OS, programs, drivers, settings with XP MC, Maxblast 4, or
Norton Ghost 10?

I don’t think I want to make periodic images. I don’t want to clone a
problem. I think I just want to get the OS, Programs, Drivers, etc. into a
good, lean state, then go back to that state (reformat and load image) to
eliminate full re-load when computer fizzles.

That’s a lot of questions to ask, but I could use some help…I want to get
everything well thought out, configured and trouble-shot by Christmas so my
daughters can actually play their favorite game.

 

[Ghostrider]

I realize this is a big question. I have been surfing for a week and am
quite confused. A lot of the recommendations might be to solve obsolete
problems. I want to figure out the best way to set up my brand new (arrived
11/30/05) Dell E510 desktop:

945G Chipset, P4 630 HT 3.0GHz
Internal: 1) Dell 160GB HD, 2&3) Maxtor DiamondMax10’s 300GB, 4) Floppy
(taking forum advice), 5) CD/DVD Reader
External: 6) Sony USB2.0 DVD Burner, 7) IEEE 1394 Card
Video: 128MB PCI Express, DVI cable to LCD
Software: XP Media Ctr, Norton Ghost 10 (taking forum advice), Maxblast 4
(Maxtor download)

I figure I want to load OS, programs & drivers on 160GB, 1st Maxtor for
Data, 2nd Maxtor for Disk Image of 160GB. I bought the 3 HD ($90) to
possibly eliminate some partitioning (taking forum advice).

Would like to boot off 3rd HD if need to reformat 1st.

Questions:
Will latest 11/30/05 Dell BIOS with XP Media Ctr, read 300GB HD/partitions?
Does it automatically have 48b LBA enabled? I think so, but if not, there
seems to be many places I can enable this from. Which is best?
Do I need/want Maxtor EZ-BIOS?
Should I partition 160GB at all?
Maybe I should just partition 3rd 300GB drive at 160GB, image from 160GB to
this, and save rest for data backup.
Should I load OS on 3rd HD, or is imaging better?
Should I format with XP MC, or Maxblast 4?
Should I partition with XP MC, Maxblast 4, or Norton Ghost 10?
Should I image OS, programs, drivers, settings with XP MC, Maxblast 4, or
Norton Ghost 10?

I don’t think I want to make periodic images. I don’t want to clone a
problem. I think I just want to get the OS, Programs, Drivers, etc. into a
good, lean state, then go back to that state (reformat and load image) to
eliminate full re-load when computer fizzles.

That’s a lot of questions to ask, but I could use some help…I want to get
everything well thought out, configured and trouble-shot by Christmas so my
daughters can actually play their favorite game.

Don't see your question on Usenet site for Dell ---

alt.sys.pc-clone.dell.

That would be the better place to ask these questions and there
are some very sharp people at that site and their replies may be
be more appropriate. Myself, I would probably join a chorus in
recommending that you find an OEM/VAR builder for this system.

 

[Guest]

With multiple new hds why didnt you just settle for RAID,make a RAID set,
then use other hds for data and/or install less used software to the 3rd,or
4th IDE or SATA drive(s).Youre going forward but taking back steps at the
same time,better re think about the hardware you just bought....

 

[Guest]

1st Ghostrider: Thanks, I have just posted to alt.sys.pc-clone.dell. I
would think I am the typical home buyer, just trying to be smart about our
computer, does that mean I need an OEM/VAR builder? It is starting to feel
like it... Anyway, thanks for the Norton Ghost advice, I purchased that
yesterday.

2nd Andrew E: Are you suggesting I send back my computer because I bought a
2nd $90 Hard Drive? RAID might be a good suggestion, I don't know anything
of the costs and benefits for that, but this is a simple home computer that
is going to run Google, MS Office, and a jukebox holding all my ripped CD's.
Nothing Mission Critical. I am just trying to make recovery/rebuild easier
if I have to do that every so often. Appreciate the thought, but I am not
sure what to do with it.