Order Config - disk partitioning & Acronis True Image

[DarkStar_GT]

I'm looking at a 3XS PowerDAW system have have a couple of questions.

My grand plan is:
-- I will speciify 3 disks (OSes & Documents), Audio 1 (Samples), Audio 2 (Recording and Samples backup),
-- running Windows XP 32-bit for the moment
-- installing Windows 7 64-bit SP1 later onto another partition
-- possibly installing Ubuntu onto a third partition

How are the disks initially partitioned / labelled? Or can I specify the partitioning alongside my order?

On the "OS and Docs" disk:
-- I would want to keep each OS partition small (< 20GB?)
-- can I (should I) have a separate partition for partition for the Page file?
-- should the Page file be on the same disk or one of the other two?
-- after the XP 32-bit partition, then I would like unused disk space reserved for a) Windows7 x64 SP1 b) Ubuntu c) other stuff (50GB?)
-- finally the Documents & Settings folders (> 30GB)

Regarding Acronis True Image
-- is this the full Retail version?
-- what is initially imaged by Scan (c:\ disk only, All disks?)
-- is the SecureZone used or just a partition on another disk?
-- where is the Image saved (disk / partition, slow end of one of the other disks preferred)?

[DarkStar_GT]

Bump ...

[PeteG@Scan]

Sorry, I don't know how I missed this one. Answers in order:

How are the disks initially partitioned / labelled? Or can I specify the partitioning alongside my order?

When your system is booked in, you will be contacted via email and asked for any special build orders. You can add in any partitioning work you need doing then.

On the "OS and Docs" disk:
-- I would want to keep each OS partition small (< 20GB?)

I find <20GB a bit small even for XP at time's personally. I'd say 30Gb Xp / 40Gb Vista depending on applications requiring install unless your absolutly certain you won't need the extra.

-- can I (should I) have a separate partition for partition for the Page file?
-- should the Page file be on the same disk or one of the other two?

I tend to advise this. Give it a 10gb on the Sample back updrive so it's not being accessed along side other data whilst recording/playing back.

Regarding Acronis True Image
-- is this the full Retail version?

They are.

-- what is initially imaged by Scan (c:\ disk only, All disks?)

O.S. Only. Can do the full O.S. disk if you specify.

-- is the SecureZone used or just a partition on another disk?

Securezone

-- where is the Image saved (disk / partition, slow end of one of the other disks preferred)?

The nominated back up disk. I don't think it's able to specify the end of the disk. I've never seen it as an option in any client.

[DarkStar_GT]

Pete,
No problem, thank you for the answers - they're all good

-- where is the Image saved (disk / partition, slow end of one of the other disks preferred)?

The nominated back up disk. I don't think it's able to specify the end of the disk. I've never seen it as an option in any client.

On this last point I was thinking of being a bit tricky:
-- say I want to use a 500GB disk for the Acronis SecureZone,
-- partition it into, say, 250GB, 200GB and 50GB partitions,
-- as I understand it the third partition will use the inside tracks od the disk and be a little slower
-- select the third parition when Acronis asks which disk/partition to use for SecureZone.

This would keep the faster areas of the disk (i.e. quicker sample access) available for recordings, samples etc.

[Disclaimer: my disk access theory may be a little out of date.]

[PeteG@Scan]

Pete,
No problem, thank you for the answers - they're all good


On this last point I was thinking of being a bit tricky:
-- say I want to use a 500GB disk for the Acronis SecureZone,
-- partition it into, say, 250GB, 200GB and 50GB partitions,
-- as I understand it the third partition will use the inside tracks od the disk and be a little slower
-- select the third parition when Acronis asks which disk/partition to use for SecureZone.

This would keep the faster areas of the disk (i.e. quicker sample access) available for recordings, samples etc.

[Disclaimer: my disk access theory may be a little out of date.]

Your completely right. I was only thinking of options within the client itself, and didn't consider the options available to you via partioning. If you specify that lot during configuration questioning during build it should be fine for them to carry out for you