In the previous Windows optimization article we showed you a simple and temporary method to free up system resources and improve DJ software performance. In this article we guide you through the steps necessary to create a dual or multi-boot system, that can provide a clean and simple DJ system install for optimal performance without losing the other functions you might use your laptop for. Full tutorial after the jump!
Please Note: While we have included as much information as possible, there may be additional or different steps that need to be performed for your particular setup. This will be particularly true if you are planning on a dual boot with systems other than Windows 7. Before you embark on a project like this we highly encourage you to test this setup on a test machine. Read this article in its entirety and follow the video. Skipping steps or cutting corners may result in serious issues. DJ TechTools cannot be responsible for any loss of data as a result of a setting up a dual boot system using this article/video. This will not be the last time we provide you with these safety reminders.
Introducing the Dual Boot Concept
A dual boot system is simply a setup where two operating systems are installed on the same machine. A dual boot system can be particularly useful in a number of scenarios:
- Your primary Windows system fails but now you can switch over to the backup boot and be up and running again in minutes (assuming you are not facing a catastrophic hardware issue).
- You have a single machine that has to serve as your DJ platform as well as providing all your day-to-day needs. A dual boot system delivers two separate environments, allowing each partition to be configured directly for the tasks they need to perform.
- A single boot environment may suit you but there are applications, drivers or Windows services that negatively impact your DJ hardware’s performance.
So long as your machine can support them, It is entirely possible to mix and match different operating systems ranging from different Windows and even Linux flavors. When mixing and matching operating systems frequently it makes sense to install the most up-to-date platform first as that will be one that manages the “boot loader”. The boot loader is one of the first programs loaded when the machine is switched on and allows you to choose which partition you want to load up. Your laptop was likely shipped with a single operating system and hence probably has a single partition (excluding one or two tiny partition which may have been created by the laptop vendor or, as a result of the factor Windows install process). In this tutorial we will be creating two partitions, one for each instance of Windows we will be installing.
Safety First!
Creating a dual boot system means installing Windows, twice. Installing (not to be confused with upgrading) Windows means that all your existing data will be erased. Modifying partitions on the hard disk will not only erase any data previously stored but will almost guarantee that it cannot be recovered via any common means. We recommend, no insist, on you backing up all your valuable data to an external storage device. You might also consider creating a backup image of your current system so that you can roll it back should things not go to plan.
When planning this installation ensure that there is plenty of time until the next gig. Allow enough time to thoroughly test the dual boot system before taking it to the club. Also consider how much time you might need should you need to revert back to your original install.
The Process
- Set your machine to boot from the DVD drive
- Start the first Windows installation
- Use the Custom (advanced) option to create a custom partition size
- Perform the rest of the Windows 7 installation
- Open a Command Prompt and use bcdedit to name your first partition
- Restart your machine
- Repeat the install process, this time for the second boot
- Select the remaining free space (“unused”) on the hard disk
- Complete the Windows 7 installation
- Use bcdedit again to name your second partition
- Rename each drive letter to match the boot name
- Used msconfig to set your default boot partition
What you will need
- 1 computer (naturally.)
- Windows Installation Media
- Drivers for your machine
- Internet access
- Time and patience
This project is based on installing Windows 7. If this is the first time installing Window 7 for your or your PC, be sure to check that your system is capable of running Windows 7 and that Windows 7 drivers are available for your hardware.
Please refer to: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/system-requirements
Microsoft also offers an Upgrade Advisor which is a tool that inspects your hardware setup and tells you if you are able to run Win7: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/upgrade-advisor
Installation Media
Window Installation Media: Most computers today are shipped with a manufacturer’s “restore” or “recovery” disk. These disks are designed to reset your computer back to the state it was in when you first purchased it. These disks provide a quick and easy way to reset your system as they automate most, if not all of the installation process. Attempting to set up a dual boot system using these disks will not work as they will not give you access to the installation options we need to change. You may need to purchase a full copy of the Windows operating system you want to install. The cost of this varies based on which system you buy and whether you are entitled to a specific versions. For instance, there are significantly reduced cost copies of Windows available to students and teachers. It’s worth doing some research and finding out what kind of Windows media shipped with your machine and if you are entitled to purchase Windows at a discounted rate.
If you do decide to purchase a new operating system, be sure to purchase a version that your system can support. If you have an older system that has been running XP, purchasing Windows 7 will likely cause you problems with drivers etc.
For more information on driver and software compatibility check:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/default.aspx
**Drivers for your machine. While Windows ships with drivers for many machines, do not rely on Windows to have the right drivers for your machine. Depending on the manufacturer of your machine your drivers may come in the form of DVD/CDs which were shipped with the machine. Alternatively there may be a separate partition on your system that contains the drivers. If you cannot find your drivers, go to the manufacturer’s website and download them. Be sure to download the correct drivers for your machine. In some cases, multiple drivers may be offered for your machine. If you are unsure which ones to download, download all of them.
Internet Access
You will need Internet access at different points in the installation process. Unlike previous versions, Windows 7 does allow you to set up wireless networking as part of the install. We still recommend a connection wired directly to your router if possible.
The Check List
You have the right installation media and the drivers for your machine (make sure those drivers are the correct ones for the operating systems you will be installing). What else do you need to do before you can get started?
Back your data! This project will erase all the data on your drive, so be sure to back it up first. There are a number of different ways to back up your data.
Check out this quick guide from Microsoft: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Back-up-your-files
Before you start this dual boot installation you should be able to answer YES to the following question: “If everything goes wrong, do I have a way to put the machine back the way it was before I started?”
Give yourself plenty of time! As we mentioned earlier, we recommend you testing out this process on another machine that you do not rely on for playing out on. If that is not an option and you have to use your primary machine, make sure you give yourself enough time to complete and fully test this process.
The Installation Process
The dual boot process is almost identical to a standard installation process. The major difference is that you separate your physical drive into two logical partitions and you go through the installation process twice. We recommend that you watch the video, but the major steps are covered here below.
Booting from your DVD drive
Your computer will be set up to boot in a particular order (boot order). Depending on how this is set up, you may need to go into your BIOS and change the boot priority to ensure the system boots from CD/DVD first. If this is not set up, you system will boot straight into your existing Windows environment each time. Different manufacturers use different BIOS types but they all do essentially the same thing.
Have a look at this article for more information in changing your boot order: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ss/bootorderchange.htm
Initial Windows Installation Steps
Select CUSTOM (advanced) to begin the process. If you select UPGRADE you will simply be invited to overwrite the initial Windows system (which will not help you).
In this Window you can see your drive displayed. If you have have more than one drive, or you already have multiple partitions defined, you will see multiple entries here. You may see more than one entry if the manufacturer of your computer created a partition for storing drivers etc.
If you see anything else than unallocated space (as above) you will need to select each entry and then select DELETE. Again, understand that modifying or deleting partition will erase your data – so back up first!
If you are installing on a new drive or, have now deleted the existing partitions, select NEW. Selecting NEW will enable you to define how big you want each partition to be. Remember that each partition requires its own Windows install and each install takes up disk space. The Windows installations on my system take up around 12GB each.
After clicking NEW you will select the size of the drive. by default Windows will use the entire drive for a single partition. If you divide the figure shown in the size box by 2 you will get roughly two partitions of equal size (Windows will kidnap some space and create a partition for system use).
Once you click APPLY the partition size will be set. Then click NEXT (not shown here) and you will be taken back to the previous screen which asked you where you wanted to install Windows. Select the partition you just created and hit NEXT. You will see a window informing you that some drive space will be used by Windows. Click NEXT past that and your install will begin.
The rest of the Windows Installation Process
We have not covered this here as it is the standard install process. You will be asked for basic networking information, time zone, computer name etc. In regards to computer name, give each install a different and descriptive name. This will help should you ever need to identify your machine on a network.
For more information on installing Windows 7 check out:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-7
Installing the Second Partition
The process for installing the second partition is almost identical to the installation of the first. The only difference will be the partition you select. In this case we will be using the unused part of the hard disk.
Giving your boot partition an identity
By default Windows will give each of your boot partitions the same name. You will want to change this so that each partition is easily identifiable within the Windows Boot Manager (as below).
To change the boot partition name you will need to open the Command Prompt and use the BCDEDIT command. To access the Command Prompt:
START > ACCESSORIES > (Right click + “Run as Administrator”) COMMAND PROMPT
bcdedit /set {current} Description “Traktor-Backup”
You will need to do this for the other partition as well by rebooting and going into that partition.
For more information on the bcdedit command check:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2676-bcdedit-how-use.html
Once you begin working with two partitions you will find it very useful to change the drive labels to something meaningful. This will (or should) prevent you from saving/copying/deleting/moving files to, from or in the wrong partition. To make the change, right click on a drive and select RENAME.
At this point your dual boot environment is ready for action. Configure your boots as primary and back up or use them to execute entirely different tasks. In a future article, we will look at changes you can make to permanently optimize your DJ boot and extract maximum performance from your Windows system.
[…] Optimizing Windows for DJing – Part II … – In the previous Windows optimization article we showed you a simple and temporary method to free up system resources and improve DJ software performance. […]
here we go again,win or mac,mac or pc?…DJ Johnny Juice of Public Enemy put it best.’i am always taking chuck D’s and my macs to the mac store to get fixed once or twice a month…if you buy a $500 pc,pf course the mac is better.but if you compare by buying a $4000 pc against a $4000 dollar mac,its all the same.its the companies that have blinded all of us against each other to buy whatever they want.buy a good pc,it will rock,buy a good mac,it will rock…but all computers eventually get some problems,especially when we are throwing these huge files around in real time….15 years ago we couldnt even imagine computers would do what they do now…so quit your brainwashed arguments and get high-end machines,pc or mac…i own both,and they both at times freak out…people pay more for a car but dont go bananas when the mechanic says its gonna be 2300 bucks for a $5 part…its a scam…wake up…make music no matter what…you get what you pay for….true as that.
j-kutta
Hello guys.
I done all of this and I want both partitions don’t have access to each other. For example, when I’m on C:, I don’t want to be abble to access F: and vice-versa.
How do I do this?Cheers
One thing I did, to not have to re-install windows for the first time, was to instead use Ubuntu Linux. I could keep my original windows for DJ applications, and my Ubuntu is my main go to for regular computing. I did a defrag before, and just partitioned my drive with the Ubuntu installer. It was fast, super easy, and my OS is sexier than a mac.
If only the software makes would consider Linux functionality . . .
Just finished tweaking my second install. I’ve read through some people’s other suggestions, and they aren’t much of an option. I can’t use virtual machines, because whether I’m gaming or DJing, I need more power than a VM can provide. Having a second user account doesn’t work for me either, because I have various services and background tasks I need that aren’t killed for another user. Dual booting gives me a perfectly clean and separated environment for Traktor.
I didn’t wipe mine, I defragged and shrunk my existing Win7, but the process is pretty much the same as this process past the first install. The usual tweaks and it’s smoother than ever with tighter latency than I can get on my other install! =D
Thanks for the feedback. I have started a thread on the DJTT forum at http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38974 if you have any additional comments.
I have created a thread on the forum to answer some of the questions that have come up as part of this article: http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38974
The best way to optimize your Windows computer is to put it in the trash and get a Mac.
i so wanna do it, but i’m to affraid of screwing something :/
i so wanna do it, but i’m to affraid of screwing something :/
Hi Eric – Have a look at http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38974 for some additional info on the subject. I think its entirely possible for you to do this without screwing anything up!
Well I believe that Native-Instruments just HAVE to make NEW DRIVERS for Traktor S4 and there will be no more issues with a bad quality! I was even considering to switch to Serato, since Native-Instruments forgot the most important part. I use 4yr old laptop w/ 2gigs or ram, 2gh dual processor and never had any other issues with older traktor software and in older days when I was using Hercules RMX w/ traktor pro. But S4 has LOTS of issues.
dual booting is a cumbersome process you would be better off using features built into windows 7 for managing services, applications, and user profiles.
1. create two non administrator accounts, one for DJ, one for everything else
2. install programs for individual users, not for all users.
3. only use administrator account to install software and updates
4. create a boot profile that turns off any unwanted services
benefits:
1. no wasted space for dual booting (a second user profile takes up way less space than a second windows install)
2. more control over how computer is set up and used without security risks, performance sacrifices, or usability sacrifices.
3. no virtual machines taking up hdd space and system resources or running your software at reduced speeds because you’re virtual machine does not have the power your real computer has.
Callum,
This is a very interesting option. I follow the concept except for two things:
1) Can you explain your third step “use administrator to install software and updates”? I’ve never used different accounts in windows, so are you saying that all software is installed my the administrator and at that level it is decided whom get’s to use it? I would have thought that if the software was going to be specific to just one user account that it would be installed while logged into that account. My thoughts were swayed after reading your step number 3.
2) Can the computer act completely independently just like in a dual boot setup? For example, wireless be completely turned off on the DJ side, but activated on the Everyday side?
1. I have an “administrator” account I use to only install new software and updates. No internet browsing or anything else in this profile.
Then find the location where the program was installed. You look at the properties of the program and in the security tab you can choose what users have what permissions to that program.
2. yes the computer can act independently kinda like it would with a dual boot with one OS missing drivers, etc. This is a bit more tricky than setting up the user accounts. Basically you can create boot profiles that the windows boot loader will see as separate operating systems you can choose from. Once you have multiple boot profiles you need to increase the timeout on the windows boot loader so you have enough time to make a choice. Then you boot into your new profile and start turning off services and start up programs.
Now you might be able to set up automatic profile login and associate the correct user profiles to the boot profiles for quicker boot sequence for both profiles. I am not positive on that one.
Drop me an email kingof9x at gmail dot com and I can help you get it set up, and in the process you can help me do a proper write up.
Chaps – I added some additional information on this article at: http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38974 it would be really useful if you were to post some information on your multiple account setup.
Chaps – I added some additional information on this article at: http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38974 it would be really useful if you were to post some information on your multiple account setup.
Chaps – I added some additional information on this article at: http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38974 it would be really useful if you were to post some information on your multiple account setup.
what about setting up a RAID?
You see all those steps?? NAh… get a Mac, turn it on, and that’s it. You’re ready to rock! PC’s are LOL, come on guys!
i get it… Laugh Out Loud – haha!
LOL – classic Macguy!
aren’t those maccis cute?
LOL! windows for djing. Here is the summary of this article: Get a Mac. Especially if you want to do anything outside of TPS reports and Excel spreadsheets.
I’d like to see a Mac do half of what my Asus G73 running Windows 7 can do…
Your Asus is superior at all virus contracting benchmark tests and random miscellaneous updates. Go tinker with driver updates and kaspersky. You obviously never worked a Mac.
so updates are bad huh? good thing for you: apple doesn’t do them regularly 😉 and FULL AUTO os like macOS, they must be gooood.
but mayhaps he did. and just need another os for his programs.
or he doesn’t want to pay a fortune on laptops like me
mac pro 15″ lowest config here in europe goes for 1750 euros. for that, i get a decent win7 laptop, superb grafix AND a traktor kontrol 2!!!
I’d like to see a Mac do half of what my Asus G73 running Windows 7 can do…
@FratDaddy You really dont understand computers do you? A mac must be perfect for you.
UH Windows 7 is the FIRST windows installation to include wireless as part of the setup not the only one missing it, IF windows has drivers for your wireless adapter.
Come on people. Now if you want to impress me, build a WIM image of your installation and media to rapidly reinstall it.
Question, although there are two separate partitions, all file are being “seen” on both partitions no matter which OS you are booted into correct? The only difference is the actual OS that we happen to be logged into and it’s associated settings, correct?
If this is the case, there is both a negative and positive. The positive would be that we wouldn’t have to duplicate any tracks in order to use them on “both sides of the computer”. The negative is if you are dual booting for the purposes of having an everyday computing side and happen to get a virus on that side, I’m assuming it would affect both partitions.
My personal preference would be to be able to select “which partition can be seen or hidden”. If being able to access the library from both OS’s was important, creating a third partition that is accessible from both or simply having the library on an external would do.
I think this the only question holding me back from jumping right in and getting this done.
There are a number of ways you can get the setup you arelooking for. Firstly, you could divideyour disk into three partitions. The first partition for Boot 1, the second forBoot 2 and the third one with no boot. The third partition would then be used asa content/music folder that could be shared with Boot partition 1 and 2.Alternatively you could use and external drive for your content. As for the drives being accessible to each boot, you can setup security on the drives and lock down the permissions accordingly. By default,Windows gives everyone access to pretty much anything. Do some research on this before you start experimenting.I ended up having to re-install Windows once when I set overly strictpermissions on the Windows system files. I am no virus expert but I do believe a virus will “jump”from one partition to another as it would only effect the current system partition (the one you were currently booted into) If I had more time I would test some of thesescenarios for you.
I follow your reply. However, if windows sees everything on all partitions at the same time, why create a separate dedicated partition just for content/media? Why not just house all of the media in one folder. Would the only reason/advantage be having specific restrictions applicable to the content/media partition?
Each boot partition will only load the drivers and services
that have been installed for that partition. This model allows me to keep a
stripped down, clean partition for Traktor and load all my other apps, devices
and drivers for everyday use on the other boot. No matter how much I fill up
that other partition, the Traktor boot will never load those devices, services
and drivers (unless I installed them on the Traktor boot too). This results in
your “everyday” system having all your programs where latency doesn’t matter
and a separate Traktor boot that can take full advantage of your system’s
resources.
In the scenario where both boots have the same
setup up, you have the benefit of switching from one to another should something
go wrong. For instance, someone plugs a
hub into your laptop that screws up the USB drivers. With two instances of Windows, all you need
to do is reboot into the backup. If you
have that third partition as a music partition then your tracks and associated
metadata will be in the same state as they were at the point where that USB hub
caused problems.
Each boot partition will only load the drivers and services
that have been installed for that partition. This model allows me to keep a
stripped down, clean partition for Traktor and load all my other apps, devices
and drivers for everyday use on the other boot. No matter how much I fill up
that other partition, the Traktor boot will never load those devices, services
and drivers (unless I installed them on the Traktor boot too). This results in
your “everyday” system having all your programs where latency doesn’t matter
and a separate Traktor boot that can take full advantage of your system’s
resources.
In the scenario where both boots have the same
setup up, you have the benefit of switching from one to another should something
go wrong. For instance, someone plugs a
hub into your laptop that screws up the USB drivers. With two instances of Windows, all you need
to do is reboot into the backup. If you
have that third partition as a music partition then your tracks and associated
metadata will be in the same state as they were at the point where that USB hub
caused problems.
Question, although there are two separate partitions, all file are being “seen” on both partitions no matter which OS you are booted into correct? The only difference is the actual OS that we happen to be logged into and it’s associated settings, correct?
If this is the case, there is both a negative and positive. The positive would be that we wouldn’t have to duplicate any tracks in order to use them on “both sides of the computer”. The negative is if you are dual booting for the purposes of having an everyday computing side and happen to get a virus on that side, I’m assuming it would affect both partitions.
My personal preference would be to be able to select “which partition can be seen or hidden”. If being able to access the library from both OS’s was important, creating a third partition that is accessible from both or simply having the library on an external would do.
I think this the only question holding me back from jumping right in and getting this done.
@twitter-16747642:disqus Lots of software can affect the latency and stability of your machine regardless of how powerful it is. Itunes on windows is a good example, it doesn’t play nice with other applications that want to use the audio interface.
Even if you aren’t going to optimize your setup by removing unnecessary software and services, running a second partition is an excellent idea. If there’s some kind of software problem you can easily boot to the other partition and have everything running again in a matter of minutes.
But I don’t recommend you install everything twice. Make two partitions, install windows and get your audio software setup just as you like it. Then make a disk image and clone that install to your second partition. You’ll save time since you don’t have to go through all the installation procedures twice and you won’t accidentally forget to install something either.
@twitter-16747642:disqus Lots of software can affect the latency and stability of your machine regardless of how powerful it is. Itunes on windows is a good example, it doesn’t play nice with other applications that want to use the audio interface.
Even if you aren’t going to optimize your setup by removing unnecessary software and services, running a second partition is an excellent idea. If there’s some kind of software problem you can easily boot to the other partition and have everything running again in a matter of minutes.
But I don’t recommend you install everything twice. Make two partitions, install windows and get your audio software setup just as you like it. Then make a disk image and clone that install to your second partition. You’ll save time since you don’t have to go through all the installation procedures twice and you won’t accidentally forget to install something either.
There are a number of ways you can get the setup you are
looking for. Firstly, you could divide
your disk into three partitions. The first partition for Boot 1, the second for
Boot 2 and the third one with no boot. The third partition would then be used as
a content/music folder that could be shared with Boot partition 1 and 2.
Alternatively you could use and external drive for your content.
As for the drives being accessible to each boot, you can set
up security on the drives and lock down the permissions accordingly. By default,
Windows gives everyone access to pretty much anything. Do some research on this before you start experimenting.
I ended up having to re-install Windows once when I set overly strict
permissions on the Windows system files.
I am no virus expert but I do believe a virus will “jump”
from one partition to another as it would only effect the current system partition (the one you were currently booted into) If I had more time I would test some of these
scenarios for you.
Sorry – responded to wrong thread!
sorry about the video- it is no longer private and is now viewable
sorry about the video- it is no longer private and is now viewable
teh video iz private -____-
or just buy a windows laptop north of 1000$ and you should have no problem running Traktor no matter how much crap is running in the background. 😀
yes but once you run to much crap over time the windows registry goes and then the errors start and your at a gig n it goes BSOD then where are you??? it make no major difference to a $400 laptop to a $1000 laptop if you know how to treat your system.
honestly tho the simplest option, if you got a $1000 for a laptop get a mac it just work, and be for you say any thing I had a mac now back on a $400 windows laptop (me mac got stolen).
the thing i leaned from you: EVERY windows computer ALWAYS breaks with BSOD
uh yeah, and a *whimful whispers* mac is so ultra stable, they will use it in decades. right?
i read “get a mac and it just works” a lot from guys like you.
it’t like the internet, that just works too.
get a brain…
yes but once you run to much crap over time the windows registry goes and then the errors start and your at a gig n it goes BSOD then where are you??? it make no major difference to a $400 laptop to a $1000 laptop if you know how to treat your system.
honestly tho the simplest option, if you got a $1000 for a laptop get a mac it just work, and be for you say any thing I had a mac now back on a $400 windows laptop (me mac got stolen).
Please, fix that video link
vid is private?
If you’re looking to use your Windows PC for other things than making music then consider creating virtual machines for everything else.
I’ve got a PC with just my Windows 7 for DJing. I have VirtualBox installed on it with another virtual machine with Windows (for Photoshop, Premiere Pro etc.) and Mac OSX Lion (to compile the OSX-version of my Traktor Scrobbler).
Now I don’t have to switch between different partitions anymore (which takes some time even though I’ve got a 6Gbps SSD). All virtual machines and Windows itself access a shared data-partition so I don’t have to bounce stuff around.
The only thing you should make sure is that you have plenty of RAM (8 GB are very nice) and hardware virtualization enabled in BIOS/UEFI.
I’ll write a detailled post about it if you’re interested.
that would definitely be interesting
Hedge: I added some additional information on this article at: http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38974 it would be great if you could provide some more information on your setup. I used Virtual box for the putting this article together. For what I need it is way faster than VMware and free! Now I have a tri-boot machine running multi-boot VMs inside them….getting…out of hand.
When I click on the video, it says “this video is private”………..???
Tidy and clean is great, but for me it would be a disaster. I never have the discipline to keep files exactly where they should be at all times. Songs get emailed or put into a download folder before it makes it to my MP3 folders, or I need to export own loops/songs from Reason, or check a booking I thought I’d forgotten… etc.
(I even like having Facebook running at the same time, I update my status comments with songs I’m playing… anyone who check their Facebook will be able to go “Ooooh, he’s on a RnB roll tonight, let’s go!!”.)
I rather keep a clean computer with ALL the stuff I use, rather than separate it (I only keep the OS on a different partition from my own data).As far as optimizing performance goes, I run a 3 year old dual core 2.1 ghz processor with 4 GB ram. Running Traktor Pro 2 with 2 track decks and 2 sample decks at the same time doesn’t even make my computer sweat.
So I really believe that, rather than trying to optimize your old WINXP system, just buy a new 15 inch cheapo i3 processor lappy with 4 GB RAM. Save yourself the potential disaster of failing old hardware, rather than trying to push an extra 10-20% extra in performance from an old machine.
I use VMWARE for what I need
I use VMWARE for what I need
It would have been better if you demonstrated how to shrink your current windows installation and add another, there’s no need to nuke all your stuff.
You can do that using drive utilies found on the Install dvd for Ubuntu.
You can do it with the disk utility included in Windows 7 for heck’s sake.
Good comments here. I posted a follow up on the DJTT forum that might be of interest and did include some comments on colume shrinking. Check it out and let me know what you think.
SmiTTTen
Nice post! I was curious, though, is there any point in setting up a dual-boot on a Macbook Pro for example with 2 snow leopards – 1 for usual stuff and the other one strictly for using with Traktor?
Personally, I’ve used multiple user accounts instead – it often accomplishes a similar goal!
In windows, dual booting means you have different drivers installed, so say you use a NI sound card for mixing. Then you could uninstall your native sound drivers so your machine is not running unnecessary tasks, freeing up processing for deejaying. I am not famailar enough with OSX to say how it works, however I would imagine there are similar benefits to dual booting rather than multiple user accounts, since multiple user accounts use the same OSX installation.
overall yes you could I’ve heard there are ways to streamline osx install mainly leaving out components such as languages ect… but found that using 1 partition was fine, but if you want to split the hdd, do it in to 3, 1 as a general use, 1 as for traktor, and 1 as a backup, that way you got all bases covered even better use a ssd drive for it to be more stable, I dont Have a mac any more but have a ssd in my windows laptop, and it runs better than eva but if you wana go full hog then look up the dual ssd upgrade for macs here on djtt