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Firstly, I don't know very much about this topic so i'm looking for some advice that I can understand, let's go for absolute beginner!

I've been reading up on this after some advice to look into it for when I purchase a new PC for music production.

From what i've read, I believe it means the following:

In order to maintain an efficent running operating system to use a DAW on you can install 2 or more versions of an operating system onto your PC by partioning your hard drive into seperate smaller hard drives and using each of these for a specific function,

i.e.

Hard Drive 1 for General use, which would include: internet, office, games etc

Hard Drive 2 for the DAW

In addition to this you could include another partion for storing audio files onto.

Is this correct?

Once I have an answer i'll post some more questions about it.

Totally understand what you mean, But what you are describing is a partitioned system NOT a dual boot system

A dual boot system allows two operating systems to be installed onto a machine. So for example, XP and Vista (not that anyone would want vista imo ). so that each of them can be loaded seperately.

Partitioning is different,

Partitioning usually entails one hard disk split into multiple disks (on a software level, Not like slice the HD up and offer it with a brew )

If i remember correctly there was an article in computer music magazine years ago about this but here's what i remember


Firstly,

install your operating system on the drive

then, create a partition for the DAW (depending on the on the size of the drive 20GB will suffice)

Install your DAW, VST's etc on that partition

Next, Create another partition so that your sample library can be put on it,

and finally make a partition of the "free" space for Counterstrike and Half life 2.

and thats your lot!

**Disclaimer** Obviously, altering partitions can affect the data that is allready stored on them so i would suggest backing everything up (or just go for that format).

Hope that helps [/i]

Hi KG87, thanks for the reply.

I think I understand what your saying but i'm going to ask a few other questions I had in mind anyway, which are probably on multi boot and not partioning so i'm not sure if they will actually make sense!

1. Would you require seperate partions for each DAW you use?

2. What size would a partion have to be for a DAW?

3. What size would a partion have to be for General Use?

4. Would you need to purchase more than 1 copy of the opperating system you are going to use?

5. Does this apply to only PC or does it apply to a MAC?

6. Is this easy enough for a beginner like myself to do?

7. What Operating System would be most suitable for this?

8. If you had to go online to download a software update could you do this independant of what your running your DAW on and import it somehow?


The PC i'm using at the moment has two 40GB Hard Drives already on it (C: and D:) and I have an external 80GB Hard Drive plugged in to which I keep audio files on

The C: I use for general use like internet, office and all my program files are on it but also have Acid Pro and Reason installed to hear.

The D: I have some audio files on it and a few other various things but that's all.

Should I have Reason and Acid Pro on the D:?

Sorry if these questions don't make any sense to anyone.

tobacco_slammers wrote:1. Would you require seperate partions for each DAW you use?

No, each prog should be happy on the same partition

tobacco_slammers wrote:2. What size would a partion have to be for a DAW?

how long is a piece of string??? Cubase and nuendo use about 300mb and acid uses a mere 66mb, but if you are installing VST's (I've got BFD which is 5 dvd's worth) its all dependant on that, Most Vsts take up about 10mb - 120mb each
so recommended about 6-7gb

tobacco_slammers wrote:3. What size would a partion have to be for General Use?

General use ey??? Its a bit obtuse that question matey!

tobacco_slammers wrote:4. Would you need to purchase more than 1 copy of the opperating system you are going to use?

Nope

tobacco_slammers wrote:5. Does this apply to only PC or does it apply to a MAC?

I dont think so, But im not a mac user.. so i wouldnt know sry

tobacco_slammers wrote:6. Is this easy enough for a beginner like myself to do?

Yes, (generally) if its a clean install with nothing to lose then go ahead and tinker away, but if you've valuble data that you cant be without (kylie's greatest hits) you need to back it up before trying anything

If you need advice on partitioning look it up on google (as it is your friend) or Pm me, I'll be happy to help

tobacco_slammers wrote:7. What Operating System would be most suitable for this?

what ever you are happiest with. I use XP on my main machine but have both linux and Xp on my laptop

tobacco_slammers wrote:8. If you had to go online to download a software update could you do this independant of what your running your DAW on and import it somehow?

That's all independant of the companies, so i have no idea, usually software updates are automated (like windows with the crappy yellow shield ). Patches and such are usually available from the vendors website.
[/list]

By general use I was meaning a partion for the OS, internet, office etc.

TS, you got a reply PM.

My HDD's are setup on some of the advice of a Future Music article from around 4 years ago, by Doug Kraul. And here's how they are...

HDD 1
C: (Boot) 2Mb - Nothing here but Boot files. No programs, nothing except Boot .ini files.

D: (General) 40Gb - 1st install of XP OS with normal setup. Used for Programs that won't interfere with DAW stuff, and used as an internet access for upgrades only.

E: (DAW) 45Gb - 2nd (and separate) install of XP OS. This is where Program files, Plugins, and the Reason sound files go.

F: (Auxiliary 1) 214Gb - Storage for downloaded files, and temporary storage.

HDD 2
G: (Projects) 30Gb - Where sound files are stored (temporarily) for the project I'm working on. Nothing else here except audio related to the project.

H: (Samples) 120Gb - As it says.

I: (Data) 20Gb - Song files (minus audio etc..) and presets.

J: (Project Saves) 170Gb - Just a place to store the Projects when not being worked on.

HDD 3
K: (Video Files) 60Gb - Stores video files I may be working with.

L: (Recovery 1) 140Gb - A reasonable area for recovery of files while being moved.

M: (Recovery 2) 80Gb - A small area for any recovery of files while being moved.

N: (General File Saves) 40Gb - Mp3's, Photo's, Video's, any Documents etc...


The reason why I have done mine like that is... it worked when I first did it, so why change. There is however, respectable people who say the DAW partition should be on the first partition, but I ain't had any problems.

To have a dual-boot (of OS) on only the one partition will increase the risk of any virus corrupting the registry etc. To have the 'boot' on a separate partition is also for the same reason, and if you can boot, you should be able to recover. It would be great to be able to change the 'boot' drive, but Windows automatically installs the boot files on the first available partition apparently.

To give a clearer indication of what partitions are... A HDD with no partitions is like a 12" mix, where as a HDD with 2 or more partitions is like an Vinyl 12" Album with 2 or more tracks and with multiple stylus playing the tracks at the same time. The part required for high-speed transfer (Audio/Samples) should be on the first partition of the HDD, and although it can be done with only the one HDD, two is preferred over the one HDD. Partitions also enable the HDD to have a longer life, or so they say.

The most important thing for a DAW though, is reliability, and partitioning greatly increases this reliability. Well, mine is reliable anyway, and doesn't even hint at hanging.

Just to add, I used Seagate's DiscWizard to partition, and not XP's partitioner in Administration. It's far quicker.

Dunno why I never thought of this before, but could I just simply modify my existing PC?

I have:
Acer Aspire T600-F97Z
Intel Celeron D Processor
80GB SATA Hard Drive
512MB DDR2 RAM
DVD RW Dual, Double Layer writer
Windows Vista Home Edition

Not sure but I could get a new PC case, Upgrade PCU and RAM.

Add a new Hard Drive, partion it and install XP on it then have a multi boot option.

Would this be possible or acceptable?

Replied to PM.