[Xaaron Swiftblade]

Hey all, my new G5 is on it's way soon, and it being my first mac, I have some questions about setting it up:

-First, I got a bunch of partitioning questions, most importantly, how do I do this? I'm guessing the first time I turn on the computer I put in the install disk while it's booting? Whether this is right or wrong could someone lead me through the steps?
-I plan on making 3 partitions of 160gb (I also have an 80gb FW drive): A 25gb System partition, an 80gb video storage partition (to match the size of the FW drive), and a 55gb media (music/video/documents) partition. Should I do this differently?
-I know it's best to have a separate drive for video, so would using the FW drive be better or will a seperate partition do?
-Should FCP along with soundtrack and livetype files be installed on the video storage partition or on the system?
-Do I need a separate scratch disk for photoshop or can I use the video storage partition?

-Secondly, I'm getting 2x 256mb sticks, a mouse, and speakers seperate - Should I hook these up before I even turn on the system?

-Thirdly, if any of ya have other advice, please be sure to share it! And thanx in advance to all who respond!
- XSwift

[D'Espice]

Congrats on your new Mac. You're taking this whole thing way too serious. I'd suggest first setting it up, putting in the additional RAM and hooking everything up (including the speakers and everything) and just press the power button. Play with OS X a bit, get used to it, mess around.
When you're done it's time for re-installing OS X. Insert the OS X CDs provided with your PowerMac and wait for it to automount. Start setup and the computer is going to reboot. After setup started, you will finally be able to make those partitions you want.

Since the internal harddrive is way faster than your external Firewire drive, I'd suggest using the internal harddrive for all performance critical jobs - that includes FCP and Photoshop.

[Bbazzarrakk]

I know I'm in the minority on this one, so I'll chime in. I'm against the multiple partitions. I know, I know... I'm weird. See, I'm a very low hassle, just wants to use my computer kind of guy. I don't want to start worrying about where I'm saving a movie clip because my hard drive has the space, but my video partition is full. I know you can tune the partitions and get excellent results, but I just want to use my drive that's right there and has all the space I need without ever thinking about it. Your mileage will very, I'm sure.

Baz

[Immortal K-Mart Employee]

Why do you want to partition anyway? That is so early 90's.

[denim]

Originally posted by Immortal K-Mart Employee:
Why do you want to partition anyway? That is so early 90's.

Yes, I saw the implied smiley.

I suspect the OP wants to limit the potential for directory damage to affect his stuff.

Here's something which I didn't see covered: a direct answer. When you receive your Mac, it'll come with Mac OS X loaded on a single huge partition. The first time you turn it on, it'll want basic configuration information, like network info, initial account password, things like that.

However, you can wipe it out and install the OS from the disk(s?) which come with the box. More details when you can ask a more specific question. I haven't received mine yet, so I can't really answer yet.

[Immortal K-Mart Employee]

Originally posted by denim:
Yes, I saw the implied smiley.

I suspect the OP wants to limit the potential for directory damage to affect his stuff.

Well I don't think that will help really. I mean a partition is on the same drive so if it is hosed you are screwed either way.

People used to do it before HSF+ to get more space out of there hard drives.

[denim]

Originally posted by Immortal K-Mart Employee:
Well I don't think that will help really. I mean a partition is on the same drive so if it is hosed you are screwed either way.

Not true. Multiple partitions are useful since normal directory damage is limited to a single volume. The partition map, which is the real directory on the drive, is static, so you only have to concern yourself with damage to it if you've modified it yourself or if the drive hardware is failing.

[ckohler]

Originally posted by Xaaron Swiftblade:
I'm getting 2x 256mb sticks, a mouse, and speakers seperate - Should I hook these up before I even turn on the system?

You must have your computer powered off and unplugged before you install the ram or you can seriously damage your computer.

As for the mouse and speakers, you can plug and unplug them all you want with the power on or off. It makes no difference.