1 SSD + 1 HDD Configuration

[BlueBubba]

Hello,

I've just installed an SSD into my Mac Pro and have installed all of my apps onto it. I want to use my old HDD for storage, but not sure how to set it up. At the moment it is appearing on my desktop with Snow Leopard and all of my old apps on it. I've backed up all my files onto an external HD and presume I should erase it next, Mac OS Extended (journaled)?.

One thing I am wondering is, If I buy something on iTunes how will it know to store them on my old hd and not on the ssd? also will I have the regular OS X folder structure, documents, pictures etc... or will it be the same as a regular external hard drive?

Bit of a newbie question I'm sure, but could do with some friendly advice.
Thanks.

 

[AppleNewton]

For your HDD use disk utility to erase it as Mac OS X Extended (Journaled) name it whichever you like Macintosh HD 2, Disk, etc anything really.

you can then drag and drop your iTunes library onto that drive, hold option when launching iTunes and select that library thats on the HDD. (you will only need to this the one time and it will automatically locate your library each time iTunes is launched, it just follows the path of the library selected).

then anything imported into iTunes, downloaded, cds ripped into iTunes, apps, etc will all populate the HDD without any hassle.

you can do the same with your iPhoto library as well.

 

[hfg]

If you feel a bit adventuresome you could check other discussions here and create a "Fusion" drive by joining your SSD and hard disk. Then OS X will manage "what-goes-where" for you. The newest Mac Mini and iMac can be ordered with Fusion already set up ... but the software is already built into Mountain Lion and can be enabled by anyone. The Fusion functionality keeps the most often accessed stuff on the SSD and the seldom accessed stuff on the hard disk.

It is easy to do (2 commands in Terminal) and restore from your backup. Takes about 2 minutes plus backup/restore time.

 

[BlueBubba]

Thanks for the responses, I have a few more questions.

I've erased my old HD and I am starting to transfer my documents. I have pointed iTunes to my old HD, no problem there. It seems my Dropbox folder will have to be kept on my SSD, I've tried to relocate it and relink, but doesn't seem possible?

Also, I don't suppose there's any way around this, but I know every time that I save something to documents, I will save it to my SSD by mistake and have to transfer it manually across to my old HD. Can I hide the documents folder on the SSD for example?

This one doesn't really matter, but as I thought might be the case, the folders are the same plain ones as on an external hard drive, not like the OS X icon folders, any way to change them.

Thank you.

 

[GermanyChris]

Drag your home folder to the drive..Then go into the advanced options of you users and groups and tell the computer the copied folder is you new home folder and reboot. Applications will remain on the SSD and music and movies will remain on the HDD.

 

[BlueBubba]

Thanks GermanyChris got it how I want it now.