Help! adding a second hard drive

[Fenderbender]

Hi guys
Been gone from recording with the computer blues for the past year, won't bore you with details..
I'm looking for info/advice, or directions to them, on adding a second hard drive. This is likely not a new topic, but searches here haven't found the grail yet.
I added a 7200 45 GB drive last year to my 5400 12 gigger, but had to uninstall because of conflicts with modem/sound card (Direct Pro 24/96)/hard drives that were never resolved (My shop wasn't "familiar" with my mobo and weren't much help). After this, some freeze-ups remained until I got a firmware update for my CD-R (Plextor 8/4/32A). Now things run smoothly. (Maybe this WAS the problem).

I have windows 98, but can borrow 98SE from my buddy. My 5400 is partitioned into 2 drives now.

Info:
BE6-II MoBo; HPT366Ultra ATA/66 Chipset
Award Modular Bios v6.00PG v1.0A
ABIT CPU Soft Menu
Intel PIII 450
128 MB RAM
IBM 13579 MB 5400
IBM 46118 MB 7200
Direct Pro 24/96
PlexWriter 8/4/32A
Creative Modem Blaster v.90 PCI DI5655
Windows 98 v4.10
IE5 Version 5.00.2314.100315

PROCESSOR/CPU:
Intel PIII 450
family=6;model=7
L1cache=32KB; L2 cache=512KB; supports MMX
Chipset type- PII X4

N-tracks v2.3?

I'm thinking of saving all workfiles on CD, and doing a complete re-install of all programs. I'd like to set up my system for optimum performance, using 1 HD for internet, e-mail, games, junk, and using the 7200 for audio.

I guess I'm looking for info on both hardware and software setup.

If someone could direct me to any info on this, it would be much appreciated.


Fenderbender

While I'm here..... I would also like to keep a DOS type environment/shell somehow, if possible, to run my old Cakewalk v3, with my striped 4-track Fostex. Other info in this would be also apprecialted. Thanks.

[Stealthtech]

1. Better to have 2 7200 HD's
2. If you go this route or keep the 54, reformat> FORMAT C:/U
3. Go with XP Pro if you can, much better OS
4. You should already know, C: as master with slave present
D: Slave........pin settings of course.
5. Use the same cable thats tied to master.

C: Master with all software and D: Slave for audio only.

I set mine up as a dual boot on master with XP on both partitions.
The 1st OS has all my garbage, internet, games, office, etc.
The 2nd OS is stripped down and optimized for recording only. All uneccesary devices disabled, no games, etc... stripped down do the bare essentials. The only programs are my recording software and editors and plug ins.

[Gidge]

Put your audio drive as the Secondary Master.....use it only for audio files (the actual .wav files).....

[Chris Shaeffer]

Slightly off-topic, but still within the thread:

Is XP Pro really significantly better than XP Home, Gidge? I thought they were largely the same internally.

In any case, I agree that XP in general is MUCH more stable than Win98.

Chris

[TexRoadkill]

Go here www.tomshardware.com for some good tutorials on setting up hardware.