October 16, 2011
Dear Forum,
I need some advice on my new build of Windows 7 64Bit & Intel Core i5-2500K.
I’m going to be using either a Hitachi HDS723015BLA642 (0F12114) 1.5TB or a
Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB. BOTH of these are NOT 4K “Advanced Format Drives”,
just good old 512 Bytes. One of these will be my boot drive. It will have about
12 partitions ranging from 3 to 600 Gigs.
I’m looking at a Caviar Green WD20EARS 2TB as my backup drive. The WD20EARS
IS a 4K “Advanced Format Drive”.
I’m NOT going to use Windows 7 for the partitioning because of it’s insistance
on creating a second SRP partition.
Prior to installing Windows 7, I plan on partitioning and formatting both the
main and backup drive using a bootable CD of Acronis True Image Home 2011.
I will then boot the Windows 7 DVD and install onto the pre-made C: Drive.
Now for the questions: Should I do ANY partitioning or formatting of the
WD20EARS BEFORE my Windows 7 is installed, and I have a chance of running the
Acronis Align Tool?
How exactly should I proceed with the WD20EARS so there are no problems?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Big_Al
