Starting over please help

Question

First...Hi and thank you! I would like to entirely rebuild my system from scratch and am looking for some help. My system details are listed below but if any additional information is needed please feel free to ask. I would like to get the most out of the equipment I have...So many questions sorry...they are...(1)How best should I configure my system? I mainly use my computer for graphics (i.e. photoshop and Bryce rendering(oh so slow...) and recording audio in cubase and garageband. I use OS 10.3.9 and OS 9. Many programs I own will only work in OS9. I am too poor to upgrade anything so that is not an option right now. What I am looking for is advice on how to setup my 4 different hard drives...i.e.(2) to raid or not to raid....(3)what drive or drives(ie raid) should my startup volume be on?....(4)how best to setup these drives i.e.. (5)to partition or not to partition....Basically I am going for max performance with what I have....(6)Any suggestions as to where to put my files i.e. on which drives....and also (7)how best to to install (step by step) all the updates to my orginal jaguar clean installs etc. and the updates to ilife (I.e software updates) would be greatly appreciated...(8)Is there a step by step for redoing an entire system? (9)What option should I use for reformatting the drives for max performance and reliabillity? Everything is backed up already so that is not an issue....I also am looking for speed and am not concerned with data redundancy( ie mirroring).(9)But will striping help? I am not sure that a raid is that much faster anyway. (10)How can I speed up my boot times and (11)where should I put my Itunes libraries, iphoto and garageband libraries?(12)Where should i put my OS 9 stuff? (13) Is it true that Tiger would actually slow my system down if I upgraded to it or even Leopard if I wait for it? I don't have the money anyway but advice here would be welcome....(14)In what order should I reinstall my programs and (15)should i fix permissions before and after each and every install and update? I know this is a lot of questions and very system specific but that is why I posted here as all the information I found is very general...(16)Does it make a difference which busses I have the 4 different drives attached to? What about my acer card? What drives should I attach there? Remember I am going for speed...I know my system is antiquated but I'm stuck with it. Any and all information you guys have (especially the small details) is not only welcome but urgently appreciated....Thank you again for your time....

Answer 1

Create a new user and back up manually and restore your device from that backup after that. Here's how to:
Make sure your new iTunes is authorized in the Store menu. Disable autosync in itunes, connect your ipod, right click on it in the device list and choose backup.
This will save data, pictures and settings to itunes. See what's included in this backup here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766
Transfer your purchases the same way to copy all apps and bought media from the Store to your computer.
Set up at least one contact and event on your computer to be able the merge your calendars and contacts after your ipod got wiped during the first sync.
The rest of the data can be restored from the backup you made.
Restoring: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
To transfer other data like for example picutres, follow this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4137
Music is one way only, from the computer to your device, unless you bought the songs in itunes and transferred your purchases.
There is 3rd party software out there, but not supported by Apple, see this thread: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2013615&tstart=0