HDD for Storage, no OS?

[Klander Brigade]

I'm looking into a Seagate Barracuda 300GB NCQ 7200RPM internall HDD. I will be using this as storage for media, while my main 40GB will be used for programs, etc. Will there be any disadvantage to not installing an OS on the new 300GB hdd if I'm only gonna be using it for storage? Thanks.

If I don't install an OS, does that mean I pretty much just install it, start the computer and I'm ready to transfer files? Or do I have to do anything to it post installation to get it running?

Oh, and any people own/have experience with Seagate Barracudas? I hear they're pretty good.

[Voyage34]

There's no real downside. You will have to physically install it, then format it using the tool your OS provides so that it is using the correct filesystem.

Never used a Seagate before, but i've never head anything bad about them. I'm a Western Digital man myself.

[Klander Brigade]

Sounds good. I guess that having no OS might be a strongpoint.

[mooseyfate]

There's no need to install the OS on it since it'd only serve as storage.
I've used a Seagate before, although not a barracuda, and it's alright. Did encounter a few problems but I don't think it's entirely cos of the hd make. I think I'm still using a Seagate right now. Hm..

[REINER]

I have a Seagate Barracuda and I'm ordering a second one, they're excellent drives. I always hear hdd failure stories from Maxtors and WD's.

[john123]

i have 2 seagates in one computer and one in this one. they're really good

[rasher_b2]

If you're putting it in your computer then there's no need to install an OS. It just needs to be formatted. (as others have said)

The advantage is that it can speed up your computer at certain tasks.

[Kithkin]

Having an OS on a second harddrive is useful for only 2 reasons. First, you can install a different os and choose which one to boot up from at startup. The second is that if the first harddrive fails, you don't have to format the storage one to boot from it.

There is no real downside to having the os installed on the storage drive. It doesn't take up much space (at least not when you have 300 at your disposal) and it doesn't slow the drive down because your computer only accesses system files from the drive you boot from.