Preparing new hard drives

[Rick McCleary]

Just a suggestion to anyone who is incorporating new hard drives in their workflow:

After you first write data to the new hard drive, I would recommend that you immediately rebuild the disk directory using a utility such as Disk Warrior.  You'll find that the initial directory is fairly scrambled (30-40% out of order).  This will start you out with a healthy directory, and help to ensure smooth sailing.

Also, there is some debate as to whether it's necessary, but I also write zeros to every new hard drive before I write any data to it.  A large drive (300+ Gb) will take several hours.  Perhaps not required, but it's part of my SOP.

[peterkrogh]

Great suggestion Rick.
Often, if a drive is going to have a problem, it will show up right away.  Giving the drive a bit of a workout, and a clean start is a very good idea.
Peter

[Jeff Boucher]

Rick, You refer to 'writing zeros'. How are you doing that?
Thanks!
Cheers,
Jeff

[Rick McCleary]

Rick, You refer to 'writing zeros'. How are you doing that?

I'm on a Mac.  Here are the steps:

Mount the drive you wish to format.
Open Disk Utility. (in Applications > Utilities)
Select the drive from the list in the left column of the window.
Click the Erase button in the main part of the window.
Select the format you wish to use. (I use Mac OS Extended.)
Click the Options... button.
Check the Write Zeros box.
Go have dinner!

It will take several hours to zero out a 300 Gb hard drive.

If you're on a PC, there are others in this forum who can give you advice on doing the same thing.

[PWH]

Rick,

I have a new 500gb lacie external that I'm setting up. If I use your suggestion to write zeros to it do I have to do anything after the process is complete or is it ready to go.

Thanks

[Rick McCleary]

I'm assuming you're on a Mac...

The process of writing zeros also includes formatting the drive.  (You make the format choice in the Disk Utility window; I use the default - Mac Extended (Journaled).)  So, once the write-zeros process is completed, you're ready to go.

Depending upon what you'll use the drive for, you may want to consider partitioning the drive.  If it is one of your Archive drives on which you'll only be storing buckets, you probably don't need to partition.  However, if you'll be using it for several tasks - like backing up regular files, storing clones of your boot drives, parking space for your working files, etc - it would help to create a partition for each of the major task categories.

One additional note - run Disk Warrior the first couple times you write data to the drive.  This will start the disk directory out in a healthy state.

[PWH]

Thanks for your help. I am on a mac and was intending to partition the 500 external into 2 equal partitions, one for RAW and one for DERIVATIVES. I have another 160 gig external that I use for data/music backup. I'll get the disk warrior utility as well.

I'm finally seeing the light after gettings the DAM book. Lots to digest but it's nice to have a road map leading you along the correct path.

[DigitalTasmania]

Select the format you wish to use. (I use Mac OS Extended.)

Rick, thanks for your advice.  I'm up ( far too late and brain is a bit fried ) setting up a new SATA2 storage system on OS X.

I've formatted (w/ single zero-out) 1TB and 1TB to go.  I didn't note the difference between "Mac OS Extended" and "Mac OS Extended(Journaled)" - the latter was the default and was used.

Any comment on the difference between the two and why one would choose one over the other?  Would you start over w/o journaling?

many thanks from the shores of the Southern Ocean,

Thomas

[peterkrogh]

Thomas,
I believe that Journaling gives you an extra bit of protection at the expense of a small bit of speed.  I personally go with journaling.
Peter

[DigitalTasmania]

Thomas,
I believe that Journaling gives you an extra bit of protection at the expense of a small bit of speed.  I personally go with journaling.
Peter

Peter, Thanks for the comment - and your important effort that is the DAM book, all and sundry.

Most of you probably already realize what I just sussed out - that Journaling need not be enabled at format-time as it can be enabled/disabled later via the disk utility ap.

BTW - I'm on an intel-based MAC . . . disk warrior won't work ( despite spending $$$ on it  ) - are their any other similar aps that might work on intel MACS? How important is it to "clean things up" with Disk Warrior when you are setting up new drives?

BTW2 Peter - great Pics from Iceland . . . that musta been amazing!

Peace from Tasmania,

Thomas "ex-pat Yank" Moore

[-eric-]

BTW - I'm on an intel-based MAC . . . disk warrior won't work ( despite spending $$$ on it  ) - are their any other similar aps that might work on intel MACS? How important is it to "clean things up" with Disk Warrior when you are setting up new drives?

Micromat's TechTool Pro also has directory optimizing routines (hidden under the Optimization tab), and they currently have a Universal verion for Intel Macs. The word is that Alsoft is working on a Universal version of Disk Warrior (at least I hope so!) which should be ready sometime soon.

Cheers,

-eric-

[DigitalTasmania]

BTW - I'm on an intel-based MAC . . . disk warrior won't work ( despite spending $$$ on it  ) - are their any other similar aps that might work on intel MACS? How important is it to "clean things up" with Disk Warrior when you are setting up new drives?

Micromat's TechTool Pro also has directory optimizing routines (hidden under the Optimization tab), and they currently have a Universal verion for Intel Macs. The word is that Alsoft is working on a Universal version of Disk Warrior (at least I hope so!) which should be ready sometime soon.

Cheers,

-eric-

Eric,

Thanks for the TechTool Pro tip mate.

Eric et al.,

Here is the response I recieved from Alsoft on 5 October 2006:

Hello Thomas:

Thank you for your reply and for your patience.  Our programmer are
still working on the Intel version of DiskWarrior, but a release date has
not been set.

  We have noted your registration record that once the upgrade is
released, you qualify for a free upgrade and only pay a $7.95
shipping/handling fee.  Once the new version is released, we will notify
you via email.

Best wishes,

Customer Service

 

[-eric-]

I think that's the same e-mail I got!

 

-eric-

[nomad]

Would you say that disk warrior will also do all the tasks that a program like Macaroni does?
http://www.atomicbird.com/macaroni

[barbaramiller]

Hi Peter, Rick and all:

Thanks for the info.  I just zeroed out the new Seagate momentus 500GB 2.5" drive that I got for my laptop.  I used my MBPro3,1, on 10.4.11 to do so.
I only found this post after I did it.  I just did it MacOS Extended (and not journaled).  Is it worth zero-ing again, journaled, or just leave it be?
The estimated time was 2 hours; but it actually took about 28 minutes (not exact) longer.  Should that be of concern?  And if so, re: the new HD or my existing (160GB, 2.4 GHz, 7200rpm)?  If it is of concern:  is there a recommended action?

My plan is to make the new drive a bootable clone before I put it in my laptop.
Zero out my other new 3.5" Sata HDs in my new 2bay Burly.
Migrate photos from old ext. HDs. Then use one of old HDs for additional bootable clone too.
Then swap current laptop drive with 500 GB and run disc warrior then.
Sound like a sound plan?
Oh, & then start saving for MacPro.

BTW, the KC21 enclosure for 2.5" drive buspowered from Mac Gurus really stayed cool during the whole zero-ing session and is nice and light too.

Thanks,
Barbara