[M177ER]

So many questions...

My set up:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4300
MOBO: Asus P5N-E SLI
RAM: 2 x 1 GB
HDD: Western Digital Cavier 250 GB
CD/DVD: LG Super Multi DVD Writer
Video Card: XFX GeForce 7600 GS
OS: Windows XP SP2 OEM

This was a custom build and put together by the computer shop with the OS loaded by them.

MOBO BIOS
Is it necessary to flash the BIOS if everything is running alright? The forum on the Asus website has differing opinions on which is the best BIOS but that the current version that I have 0202 is stable. 0401 is recommended though.

HDD Partitions
What is the benefit of having a HDD partition that has the OS separate from the other files? From what I have found on Google it is to make backing up easier. What OS files need to be moved to this partition?

Drivers
Which drivers should be updated? Video card, sound card and CD/DVD drive? After updating them how do you back this up? I have Nero 6 Express which has Backitup.
If after doing a clean install (if I ever need to) can this backup just be copied over the system folder (C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers) and everything will update and work correctly?

Backing up
As I said I have Nero 6 Express which has Backitup. I am not worried about backing up My Documents, this is easy enough, but what needs to be on a bootable disk if something happens? Is it really necessary when I don’t have problem doing a clean install if the system crashes or gets infected since I have all of my personal documents backed up?

[Hybr!d]

The only drivers worth doing are graphics cards on a regular basis to keep up with new games, you should only do any other drivers when you are having technical problems.

You should never have to flash your BIOS on your motherboard.

Partitions are personal preference, I prefer 1 drive, some like to separate one drive and store different stuff on each partition.

[Wolfeymole]

I prefer two physical hard drives, one for the operating system and the other divided into multiple partitions.
Obtain a 20GB hard drive and install XP to that.
On the other of say 200GB divide it into 4 partitions of;

Downloads

Drivers

Your Stuff ie Pics Music etc

Backup

It's a debatable point whether to make a backup folder with this arrangement as all you have to do is re-install/repair windows should it go pear shaped.
All downloaded executable program files can be installed to C: from the partition on the number two hard drive.
The same applies to Drivers.

[grush]

Agree the only drivers I update unless I have problems is the graphics, Never flash the Bios unless you have a real problem. Basically if it ain't broke don't fix it.I have 2 160 gig physical drives split into partitions 1x20 gig for the OS the others are in 10s I keep all the different stuff in different drives pics in 1 music in another all the executable in another etc. all personal preference. Don't think it really matters too much but I don't like junk in with the OS.
Backups I do on active stuff, I've got all the EXE backed up on a couple of DVD saves messing with lots of C/D I've never backed up theOS as if I get to needing a restore I'd rather do a clean install.

[hAvAAck]

the only real actual benefit I get from partitioning my HD is that I can format the OS without losing any files in case there's an error or virus. This makes me happy. :)

[M177ER]

Thank you all for your responses.

For now I'm going to leave everything as is and with the next clean install (I just like to start over from time to time) of XP I'm going to put in my old hard drive which is 40 GB and put the OS on there.

Does having 2 HDD mean that I have to figure out the heck RAID is?

[hAvAAck]

Originally Posted by M177ER

Thank you all for your responses.

For now I'm going to leave everything as is and with the next clean install (I just like to start over from time to time) of XP I'm going to put in my old hard drive which is 40 GB and put the OS on there.

Does having 2 HDD mean that I have to figure out the heck RAID is?

DEFINITELY NOT
Just make one the "slave" to the other the "master"
The master should have the OS on it

[M177ER]

Originally Posted by hAvAAck

DEFINITELY NOT
Just make one the "slave" to the other the "master"
The master should have the OS on it

Ok Thanks. :D

[hAvAAck]

definitely wait for someone else to comment, I might be off if they are SATA II or anything, I hear they're doing new things with HDDs, and I only know about old stuff.
RAID != good, that's for sure

[Hybr!d]

RAID means you use two drives as one.

So two 200GB drives mean one 200GB drive, except if one goes down you are ok as you have a mirror, also you can read data faster as you are reading effectively from two drives at once.

I'm 99% sure you cannot have RAID with IDE drives.