[Cholas]

I am about to purchase a new desktop. Currently I have Windows XP on a machine which has served me well these past seven years. Spec for the new machine is Windows 7 Home Premium with a 64GB SSD and a 1.5TB HDD and I would like advice as to how I set things up on the new machine, specifically how best to use the SSD. On my existing machine I have a Boot (C) drive which contains the usual Windows / Programmes / Docs & Settings etc and a number of odds and ends which have wound up there over the years. I have (D) and (F) partitions and on these I tend to locate my text / photo / music and video files etc. I don't use the "My Documents" folders very much because I prefer my own arrangements. As Windows 7 on the new machine comes pre-installed I assume it will be on the SSD. Does the set up on my existing XP machine sound right for the new one or am I missing a trick here? I should add that I have just started to use Acronis True Image Home (boy that is one very long and complicated manual!) so advice on a set up which means I shall be able to use Acronis efficiently on the new machine will be helpful also. I should add that I know a little but most certainly not a lot so if anyone is kind enough to offer advice, a not too technical approach will be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Daedroth]

Install Windows on the SSD, and install all your applications on there too. Then setup folder redirection for all your documents, music, etc to point to the D:\ drive, which will be the 1.5TB hard drive. You could also partition that drive into smaller drives for more manageability.

[Maxatoria]

perhaps split the 1.5tb drive into 2 partitions so that your irreplacable stuff is stored on one partition (making it easier to backup) and the rest is for the general crap downloaded etc

[Cholas]

Thanks for those two helpful replies. I'm not familiar with Folder Redirection Daedroth. Could you explain how I set that up? I've had a Google but am not at all clear. Thanks.

[Daedroth]

Originally Posted by Cholas

Thanks for those two helpful replies. I'm not familiar with Folder Redirection Daedroth. Could you explain how I set that up? I've had a Google but am not at all clear. Thanks.

Basically on Windows 7, it allows you to move the location of certain folders (Documents, Pictures, Favourites and the other folders that live within that user area).

By default, Windows saves all your documents on the C:\ drive, or which ever drive you have Windows installed. This isn't good for two reasons.

1) If Windows dies and needs reinstalling, you risk losing your data if you haven't backed up.
2) It takes up space on the drive. Since SSDs don't have much space, you'll want that data stored elsewhere.

To set this up on Windows 7, simply right click a folder such as Documents, select Properties, and then the Location tab along the top. Then tell it to browse to another location (the 1TB drive...lets assume that's the D:\ drive). It will move the data from C:\Users\[USERNAME] to D:\[WHEREEVERYOUTOLDITTOGO].

Here's a Microsoft Technet article about it: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc732275.aspx

[Cholas]

Thank you Daedroth that's a perfect reply and I'm most grateful.

Cholas

[Daedroth]

Originally Posted by Cholas

Thank you Daedroth that's a perfect reply and I'm most grateful.

Cholas

You're welcome. Let us know how it goes for you.