Need some help with setting up new computer.

[Gerlinde]

I would love to get some suggestions on how to manage User folder, Libraries and maybe Application Data on my new desktop. As you can see from my signature, I have 3 drives in my new build. The SSD should only contain OS and programs and I want everything else on the other 2 drives. I searched around on the internet and found a lot of ways to go about this, but they all seem kind of complicated. I am confused right now what to do.
Cheryl, if you reading this - how did your tech guy set up your system?

[Peru]

Have you seen this?
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/662972

[momoffduty]

The OS & program files are on the SSD. Everything else is on the Raid 2T drive. I have an external for backup, but am thinking about getting a bigger one. We did move the My Documents folder and Public folder onto the Raid drive. As for the Media Cache, I haven't quite decided. What I have read is that to put that on the SSD since it is faster. But, with AE I would have to clear the cache occasionally. Bob did recommend putting the Media Cache on the 2nd drive because of space needed.

[Gerlinde]

Thanks Peru for the link. I have come across that discussion before, but it is good to know how to find it again.
Cheryl, do you know what method was used to move your My Documents folder to your other drive. That is my main concern at the moment, I would like to prevent that the SSD drive fills up with stuff. I have 2 additional 1TB and 1 500GB external drives for what ever I decide to use them for. I just have to get organized and get it all set up.

[momoffduty]

There are directions on the microsoft website. We had a problem moving the My Doc folder because the Public folder had to be moved too. I watched him move them, but can't tell you exactly how it was done. We did follow the directions at microsoft for Windows 7. You have to be in safe mode. You have Windows 8? Search microsoft site for the directions. Sorry, I know enough to be dangerous. This migration is frustrating.

[Gerlinde]

Thanks Cheryl, I found those instruction. I found also 2 other tutorials on how to accomplish that, but they involve writing a script or using regedit to create links to the new location. This will be my task for tomorrow.

I spent the last 2 days to update the bios and to get my old Epson scanner and printer installed. I also still had problems to convince the computer to stay asleep after I hit the key with the moon on the keyboard. It's all working now.

I'm not going to migrate anything from my other computers. I have them all networked and have access to all my files. But I definitely have to get some order with all my different drives over time.

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

I'm not going to migrate anything from my other computers. I have them all networked and have access to all my files. But I definitely have to get some order with all my different drives over time.

For managing "distributed" storage and for streaming audio/photos/video to DLNA devices, I can personally recommend one of these network attached storage solutions.....

http://www.synology.com/products/index.php

...or a different brand but similar device...

http://www.qnapstore.com/

Yes, it costs a little to set it up but I was able to "re-use" some of my existing desktop HDDs.

All gigabit capable devices in my house are connected via cat5e cable (I would use cat6 if I was starting afresh) through a gigabit switch to the NAS. The gigabit switch is also connected to my 100 megabit wireless modem/router for internet connectivity so all devices that are so enabled (PCS, TVs, BD player, Squeezebox stuff etc) can access the web. DLNA devices are connected to the modem/router using AV200 powerline adaptors - the speed provided by these devices is perfectly adequate for streaming.

To set up my 4 bay Synology device I took 2 x 2Tb WD drives that I already had in two PCs and used them to initially populate the NAS so my set up cost was just the price of the 4 bay device plus some of my time.

Santa is bringing me a 2Tb WD Red drive for Christmas so I'll have 6Tb of centralised storage for use by all PCs in the house. In addition each PC has a local system volume of 500Gb for the opsys, local data and WIP.

Everything on each PC is automatically backed up to the 4 bay Synology box (I use Macrium Reflect Pro) and the 4 bay NAS is in turn automatically backed up to a 2 bay synology NAS holding two x 2Tb WD Green HDDs (the WD Red range wasn't available when I set this arrangement up).

Consideration of using the cloud for back up would be a good idea but in my case I have woefully insufficient upload/download speed to even contemplate that option.

[Gerlinde]

Thank you, John, that is definitely something to consider. Although, I have been thinking to maybe use an online solution.

[momoffduty]

Cheryl, do you know what method was used to move your My Documents folder to your other drive.

This is what we used: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... b3a8b8ff44

[Gerlinde]

Thank you Cheryl. This is very similar to what I found somewhere else. I haven't done it yet, I'm waiting to get up the nerve.
Building the computer was more fun than fiddling with all the setup stuff

[momoffduty]

Building the computer was more fun than fiddling with all the setup stuff

I didn't build mine, but have the head-ache of getting things up to speed like drivers and downloading content that came on the disc for say the light scribe or the utility for the scanner. (Which you will too.) Over time I accumulated little extra things that I use and have to go find them now and download again. In AE I had a ton of scripts & plug ins that I'll have to find the 64 bit version.

For now I have both computers up and running separately. I am undecided if I want to leave it this way. The plus side would be that if I am rendering out in AE then I can use the other one. Haven't figured out my backup workflow yet. Maybe after you get yours set up you can give me some pointers. Another option is to eliminate the 2nd monitor & 2nd keyboard and have a kvm switch, but I am not sure if I would still be able to render out of one and use the other at the same time. The screen saver has to be turned off when rendering out of AE or it stops. I have decided not to make that decision until after the new year.

I did do a quick test in PrPro & AE last night. Dropped HD clips with 2 different frame rates and sizes into both programs and happy to say that it played back like a knife thru soft butter. And AE was in full rez!! Before I had to work in 1/4 rez...I can see now. The real test is to open up an AE 3D project and see how that plays. The script to unlock the video card worked like a charm and the Mercury playback engine works. Next up is to look at PrPro tuts. Things have changed a lot from CS3 to CS6.

[Gerlinde]

The script to unlock the video card worked like a charm and the Mercury playback engine works.

I only use Photoshop CS5 currently and of curse PRE/PSE 11 ( which have not arrived yet). I don't think I would have any benefit of running the script.
But who knows, one day I may decide to upgrade to Premiere Pro.