When installing 3rd party programs do you...

My preferred setup is OS and applications on one drive, samples on another (or multiple others), data on another, and backups on yet another. I like an SSD for OS and apps so everything loads fast. SSDs for samples are nice too, though with enough RAM and modern software it isn't an absolute necessity. Everything else can be magnetic. I recommend Seagate SSHDs, they are hybrid drives, with a bit of SLC flash and a big magnetic platter. The flash helps them buffer data and makes them better with random reads n' writes than traditional magnetic drives for not much more money. For SSDs I like Samsung, the 850 EVO series are very nice particularly for samples drives (the 840 EVOs are great too).
 
In my current setup I use:
 
--A 512GB Samsung XP941 M.2 drive for OS and boot since it is the fastest
--A 512GB Samsung 840 Pro drive for most samples
--A 240GB Seagate 600 drive for drum samples (got it on sale)
--A 2TB Seagate SSHD for data (like bounces and renders)
--A 2TB WD Black for backup

• Install the app on your C: drive
• Install sample library on your Samples drive
• Make sure to point to install of the VST plugin DLL to the proper VstPlugins folder

There's no standardization as to where the DLL is placed.  Each company has their own idea.  If you accept the default location on all installs, you'll have VST Plugin DLLs all over the place.

Jim Roseberry

• Install the app on your C: drive
• Install sample library on your Samples drive
• Make sure to point to install of the VST plugin DLL to the proper VstPlugins folder

There's no standardization as to where the DLL is placed.  Each company has their own idea.  If you accept the default location on all installs, you'll have VST Plugin DLLs all over the place.

Zactly... that is why I want things more organized. I want to be sure I understand because I am not quite sure.
I AM up and running. I tried to call today and left a message. I'll be out for a bit tomorrow and will try you again. I need to get a keyboard. I'll get a standard, MS keyboard that does not take up more table space than necessary, USB. I tried a keyboard from an older Dell desktop, it has a 6 pin connector, there is a place to plug it into the tower but I couldn't get it t work. However I have a MS wireless mouse, a 5400. I D/L the driver from MS onto a DV-R and installed it, it works great. After a bit of fiddling I managed to get the onscreen keyboard to stay up with the network PW box and got connected to my wireless network with an ASUS N-10 USB wireless adapter. Life will now be easier, as I can just go to where I need to go and download VSTs, MIDI and audio.
 
OK, to be sure. I am going to put EXDrummer, BFD, Amplitude, etc on the C drive. I am going to add sound packs, audio and MIDI to the samples drive. I am going to put projects and copied associated audio on the Audio drive. I am going to buy a USB dock and get a 3TB backup drive and clone all three drives to it. The C is 500G and I don't remember about the other two, if they are 2TB or 1TB. Doesn't matter, I'll look before I buy and if they are 2TB, I'll get a back up drive for each and a backup drive for C. It looks easy enough to swap them out using the USB dock.
I will change my homepage from MSN to Google and only go to known sites that I need, like ToonTrack, NI, IK, etc.
 
I am really glad to finally have some time for this... so happy. Everything is fast and the machine is just sleek. Jim, you make a great product... it is VERY quiet too.
 
Like I said, I'll call but if you get time please try to see if you think I understand about installing VSTs. Programs on C, associated Midi and audio on the samples drive, projects and associated midi and audio copied to the Audio drive.
What about drivers? Should I make a Drivers folder in Downloads and put all drivers there. I just want to stay organized but I also want things to work.
 
On this laptop I have pretty much let programs install where ever they wanted to but as you said... my VST scanner has a list of folders to scan and I just hope I am getting everything...
 
Talk to you tomorrow and thanks!
 
Julien

Thanks Johnny. I'm slowly getting there. I forgot that yesterday my wife had Mohs surgery under her nose and a "Blue light" treatment on the chest. I spent the day with her at Skin Cancer Specialists. I'm going to try to get back to it over the weekend. Our state HS football championships are being played at the GA dome tall day today and Saturday and my Alma Mater is in the 666666 Championships game (the big one) tomorrow night at 8:00. They are ranked #5 in the nation by USA Today, am excited. Colquitt County HS Packers. BTW, they pre-date the Green Bay Packers. My dad played for them in the early 30s. They were named for the biggest employer in the county, Swift and Company. Makin' becan!
 
J

One thing I do is to use portable apps. These don't install anything in your registry or anything in your profile directory. They are completely contained in their own folder. You can even install them on a USB drive that gets disconnected when you're not using them. 
 
There's just about everything you need available as portable apps, browsers, email apps, word/excel replacements, utilities, etc.
 
go to www.portableapps.com and check them out. Very nice for a DAW as it keeps things from gumming up your computer. 
 
gbow