how to re install windows

Jobe · 3 Dec 2010 at 17:19

Hi guys.

bit of a generic title i know.....

right, i'm going to be fitting a new mobo, cpu and ram but keeping the rest.

i have 2 hard drives. windows is currently on C.

really easy, i want to move all my data onto D and reinstall.

i don't think it's as easy as putting the cd in and installing 'cos the old windows
files will still be there.

thanks for the help

jobe

SiriusB · 3 Dec 2010 at 17:24

Actually it is that easy.

During setup you are given the option to format the C:\ drive. I strongly urge you to disconnect D:\ before installing Windows. No possible chance of accidentally picking the wrong drive to format.

Jobe · 3 Dec 2010 at 18:02

SiriusB said:
Actually it is that easy.

During setup you are given the option to format the C:\ drive. I strongly urge you to disconnect D:\ before installing Windows. No possible chance of accidentally picking the wrong drive to format.

well that is a surprise. good news.

thanks for the advice about D:\ but i've already been bitten by this.
just 'cos it's D now, doesn't mean it will be come reinstall time.

jobe

gillywibble · 3 Dec 2010 at 18:07

Just change the drive letter then?

Jobe · 3 Dec 2010 at 19:56

gillywibble said:
Just change the drive letter then?

windows sometimes changes the drive letters so i mistakenly installed onto the wrong drive.

PhillyDee · 3 Dec 2010 at 19:59

Even then, windows can stick the MBR on the D drive and install onto another. So you end up with not being able to remove the second without major hassle. Been there, done that!

gillywibble · 3 Dec 2010 at 20:11

Jobe said:
windows sometimes changes the drive letters so i mistakenly installed onto the wrong drive.

With it disconnected as recommended? Fairly unlikely I would imagine, although you might want to put the drive in a different room just to be sure.

Jobe · 3 Dec 2010 at 21:01

gillywibble said:
With it disconnected as recommended? Fairly unlikely I would imagine, although you might want to put the drive in a different room just to be sure.

no.

the first time i left both drives in and when it asked if i wanted to install to C, i ticked yes. unbeknown to me, C was infact D so all my stored data was gone.

gutted i can tell you.

Phil Dee.........thats exactly what happened.

gillywibble · 4 Dec 2010 at 08:23

I think we're at cross purposes, hence why I made a joke.

Hope it works out okay

Blue160 · 4 Dec 2010 at 10:00

When you have moved your data on to the D:\ drive physically remove it from the computer. Install Windows on the remaining drive then reattach the data drive. No chance of your data being overwritten if it's not in the computer at the time.

jas72 · 4 Dec 2010 at 10:28

I'd advise as above as well.

I've created a win 7 dual boot and now have to work out how to get the MBR from the XP drive to the Win 7 drive.

I think win7 forums said how to do it but I'm still anxious about it as it could mean losing one (or both) my installs

Jobe · 4 Dec 2010 at 22:17

all done.

exactly as you've all said.

thanks for all the help.

jobe

davidansell · 5 Dec 2010 at 07:18

I done it earlier, just unplug the one u do not want to install onto