Setting Up G4 For Music And Internet, Partition or not? Options

I have a 500mhz dual processor G4 overclocked to 550 mhz. Unfortunately, I jumped into the poor house on this computer and have to run both internet apps as well as my music apps on the same computer. Would the best way to go about this be to partition the hard drive or run it all together and use different extension settings?

I am so glad that I had the sense at the time to buy an external drive for audio

Any help would be appreciated.

[Synthetic]

actually, along as you have external for audio recording... you should be fine... running music apps with other apps on same partition is common... the only exception with internet apps is that web browsers fragment drives quicker thanks to cache... if you don't use the cache its no big deal... you could ideally create a small partition to use as a cache for browsers and other apps like photoshop and others that use cache space then it will keep system from needing defraged as often. I always designate a 1-2 gig partition for this reason.

as long as you keep you drives defragged... anyway you do it should work fine though

Thanks for the info. Understand that I am not really a computer guy and learning most of what I know on the fly.

Could you possibly suggest a defragging program to use?
(preferably freeware if possible)

[Synthetic]

sorry but the only app I know of that defrags is Norton Disk Doctor and its not free.

[aladinsane]

I think there's also something called "drive 10" that defrags. never used it though.
It should be at micromat.com. you can also check the apple site, but it isn't for free either.

[lepetitmartien]

For defrag you have the choice only between: Norton Utilities' Speed Disk, TechTools and Drive Ten.

They all do their job, none is free.

In Norton you can create a profile of the kind of defrag you want and save it to re-use it later (ie: the order and placement of the different types of files)

[rickenbacker]

I know Norton 7.0 (the OS X version) got decidedly average reviews when it was released a few months ago, but it might do the job for you. Drive 10 is certainly an option.

Another possibility (pay attention, this is complicated!), is that if you get AppleCare you get a copy of TechTool Deluxe in the box. This is an OS 9 app made by Micromat, who make Drive 10 (which is their OS X disk utility). You can then cross-grade to Drive 10 at a reduced rate. By the way, I'm not sure if TechTool Deluxe has a defragging option for OS 9 - I know TechTool Pro (which I've got) doesn't. Coo, it's complicated, innit?

General question to everyone: does anyone actually have AppleCare for their Mac? My year's free guarantee is almost up, so I'm wondering if I should stump up the cash for two extra year's cover.

[Synthetik]

now thats to the whole audio will not go to OSX, I use Techtoolpro3 in OS9 and Drive10 In OSX, basicly that same program just that the manufacturer wanted to name the new version something different. I still really like that way Techtool works and drive10 has some working to be done. but on to the start of the fourm. Your g4 is outfitted with ATA drives, not the fastests but good reliable and inexpencive drives. You can pick up a 60GB drive for under $80. Now use you main drive for your apps, both audio and internet and the second drive for just audio files. You can get a program for OS9 call Conflict Catcher 9, this program will find problems with you control panels and extentions, but a side effect of it is that you can set up different start ups. Like and audio start up and a internet start up. Its a rather inexpencive program so check it out.

[Synthetik]

rickenbacker,
I guess I'm a nerd but I have never found any reason to get Apple Care, I am Part of the ADC "Apple Development Connection" so I get a nice little pack of lit asnd stuff and I found it fun to fix any problems I've had myself.

[bjkiwi]

tech tool pro does have a defragging option. They call it optimization.