Folder Organization

Before I start transferring files, installing programs etc on my new computer, I have a few questions regarding organizing the folders. I have 2 hard drives (no raid).

1. What’s the best way to separate the files on the 2 drives? OS and programs on one and Data on the other?

2. I can see how to put personal data (pictures, movies, documents, etc) on the 2nd drive but what about stuff like .pst files, firefox profiles, QuickBooks files etc? Should I move the files that I can where I can direct the associated programs to look to (I think pst files and QB files can be moved and have the programs look to the new drive)?

3. Why is there a Programs File folder and a Programs File (x86) folder? I assume only 32 bit programs are installed in the x86 folder (this is on an HP HDX laptop)?

Thanks,
Jamie

You're probably going to get many different opinons on this. Here's mine:

You didn't say how big your drives are, so I am going to assume they are big enough. I have three sata physical drives maped into two logical drives (two physical drives are in an RAID 0 array), both "500" GB. Everything installs on my RAID array, like a single drive system. I use the second logical drive strictly for backups. I do full backups after major changes in my system, like installing important new software. I also more frequently back up all my user files. Very imporant files get backed up every time they are changed (usually by their own program) with a redundant backup to an extermal USB drive. I was using Sync toy in my XP days, but now use the Vista Ultimate Backup tool.

I don't quite know why 32-bit and 64-bit apps are kept apart. I guess so vendors can give you one of each kind, like Media Player.