I would like some suggestions of a way forward for me and my storage/backup strategy.

I've had problems with my WinME system and as a result I've had to reinstall Windows ME a couple of times. (some hardware problems, some software problems, those are incidental to this query though)

Basically, my problem is that I have only one physical HD in my machine. I've not lost any data through reinstalling WinME because I've generally been able to backup onto CD before doing the reinstall. This has been more through luck than anything else. Plus I only recently installed my mobo, so my backups were quite current.

I currently have a Western Digital 40Gb 5400 rpm HD. I use an MSI KT3 Ultra2 with RAID mobo. I would like to purchase another HD to at least keep my data and software off of my primary HD. Now, as far as I can see I have quite a lot of options since my mobo is RAID enabled.

Option 1:

Simply purchase a secondary HD and install it, keep data and application software on it. Use Primary basically for WinME and not much else.

This is basically what I need, but if my secondary HD jacks up I'm screwed anyway.

Option 2:

Use the RAID controller with a secondary HD.

The problem with this, is that if I recall correctly, there's two ways to run the RAID with 2 HD's. I'm not sure which is best for my needs. Additionally, I believe that I need to have two identical HD's or else the slower HD will be the limiting factor.

If there are any suggestions on the setup that would be appreciated.

Assuming that I go with something like option 1. Would I be best to get a small fast HD for Windows and use my current 40Gb HD as my secondary? Or would I be better getting like a 7200rpm HD and using that as my secondary?

I kind of fancy the idea of using my RAID though, since I paid the extra cash for it.

(sorry, this question is an essay, that seems to be the only way I start threads in this forum. Any help to any part of my query is really appreciated though)

1. You can have a smaller hard drive for Windows and use the larger one for storage. (if opting option 1).

2. RAID 5 provides the best level of storage and that requires atleast 3 hard disk drives. Other RAID level are incompetent. So RAID would not be ideal for your case. (if opting the RAID option)

3. I would have the 40 GB hard drive alone and back up the data on to CDs. No worrying abt extra hard drive and the RAID.

Thanks for your input.

Having another physical hard drive is added security. Important documents may be kept on two drives. So I would favor adding another drive. I've only had one HD crash out of many but having the data on another HD saved me.

I divide my physical hard drives into two partitions - C: and D: - keeping the important data on D:. That way I can reformat C: and reinstall Windows and other programs easily without losing data. Important documents are backed up to a HD on another network computer and I do periodic backups on CD-R which are taken to work.

1. Keep your C: partition lean and mean.
Windows and programmes as the core.

2. Make backups onto discs at fairly frequent intervals. Particularly just before a software installation.

3. Keep a log of all software installed [in black][and hardware changes] and backups in red.
I use my HDD manufacturers diagnostic software [Samsung’s version of “Ontrack Disk Manager”] to repartition [and format][if necessary] and the Windows98 “Startup Disk” to “format C: ”.

4. Make your swap file 2.5 times your RAM [fixed size] on another physical drive from C:

5. Keep your “Temporary Internet Files” off your C: drive.
[I put them on an old HDD on their own. My D: drive. I never delete them and they have so far never filled the drive].