As I said earlier (in last post), HDD spinning speed is one of the most important factors to increase PC throughput. But I have experienced that spinning speed is not the only factor when it comes to HDD. I guess there are three most important tasks related to HDD:
1. Preparing the HDD with appropriate partitions. This can be done with windows. But there is one thing which windows cannot do. It cannot resize the partitions with data persistence. So, if you have to resize or split a partition without losing data, you need a specialized app.
2. Backing up the HDD for an unwanted situation when something got messed up and now you have to re-install OS. Believe me on this that the situation will come even if you are playing extra safe because those spy wares and Trojans are one step ahead. By backing up your HDD, you can be back with stable PC within minutes after disaster. I remember those days when every now and then I used to spend nights in re-configuring windows. :(
3. Keeping the HDD de-fragmented. I know people don’t give it a shit but I have seen the results of keeping HDD de-fragmented. The inbuilt de-fragmenting tool in windows sucks and it sucks big time. It’s no different story even in Vista.
So, what are the available options? Well, let’s keep it to the solution instead of comparing products here. Lately, I have being using three applications for each of the tasks mentioned.
1. When it comes to HDD partitioning, Partition Magic is the first thing which comes in mind as it is being used vastly. But I have been using another better app than this, named Acronis Disk Director Suite. The UI is more sophisticated and this allows you to split even the system (read OS) partition.
2. When it comes to HDD backup and imaging, Ghost is the first thing which comes in mind. Here again, Acronis has a way better software than ghost named Acronis True Image. This works seamlessly. Click here if you want see the comparison of these two posted by someone used Ghost extensively.
Both of these applications can either be used from within the Windows, or used as standalone tool without any operating system. The standalone tools are built on top of a compact Linux kernel and provides comprehensive window based UI.
3. And finally, when it comes to HDD de-fragmenting, first and only thing which comes in mind is Diskeeper. This application is amazing. It keeps your HDD healthy by scheduled and background de-fragmentation. So you don't have to remember and run the good for nothing defragmenting tool manually. Don't forget to read the myths about fragmentation on Diskeeper site if you go there.
My experience with all three is excellent. I will highly recommend these. Go grab these super star HDD apps. All of them are $50 each but Newegg will give around 40-50% cheap. Heck, go to torrent sites if you don’t want to pay. Though Acronis apps are as per your needs, Diskeeper is a must have. Your HDD will thank you every time Diskeeper will arrange bits on that platter surface.
1. Preparing the HDD with appropriate partitions. This can be done with windows. But there is one thing which windows cannot do. It cannot resize the partitions with data persistence. So, if you have to resize or split a partition without losing data, you need a specialized app.
2. Backing up the HDD for an unwanted situation when something got messed up and now you have to re-install OS. Believe me on this that the situation will come even if you are playing extra safe because those spy wares and Trojans are one step ahead. By backing up your HDD, you can be back with stable PC within minutes after disaster. I remember those days when every now and then I used to spend nights in re-configuring windows. :(
3. Keeping the HDD de-fragmented. I know people don’t give it a shit but I have seen the results of keeping HDD de-fragmented. The inbuilt de-fragmenting tool in windows sucks and it sucks big time. It’s no different story even in Vista.
So, what are the available options? Well, let’s keep it to the solution instead of comparing products here. Lately, I have being using three applications for each of the tasks mentioned.
1. When it comes to HDD partitioning, Partition Magic is the first thing which comes in mind as it is being used vastly. But I have been using another better app than this, named Acronis Disk Director Suite. The UI is more sophisticated and this allows you to split even the system (read OS) partition.
2. When it comes to HDD backup and imaging, Ghost is the first thing which comes in mind. Here again, Acronis has a way better software than ghost named Acronis True Image. This works seamlessly. Click here if you want see the comparison of these two posted by someone used Ghost extensively.
Both of these applications can either be used from within the Windows, or used as standalone tool without any operating system. The standalone tools are built on top of a compact Linux kernel and provides comprehensive window based UI.
3. And finally, when it comes to HDD de-fragmenting, first and only thing which comes in mind is Diskeeper. This application is amazing. It keeps your HDD healthy by scheduled and background de-fragmentation. So you don't have to remember and run the good for nothing defragmenting tool manually. Don't forget to read the myths about fragmentation on Diskeeper site if you go there.
My experience with all three is excellent. I will highly recommend these. Go grab these super star HDD apps. All of them are $50 each but Newegg will give around 40-50% cheap. Heck, go to torrent sites if you don’t want to pay. Though Acronis apps are as per your needs, Diskeeper is a must have. Your HDD will thank you every time Diskeeper will arrange bits on that platter surface.
