Windows 7 Reformat

Banjo Sandwich · 19 Mar 2012 at 17:43

As discussed in several other threads, i am reformatting my laptop to install windows 64 bit opposed to the current 32bit installed. Moving a lot of data just now on to several 4gb USB zzzzzzz!

Just noticed it appears my laptop has 2 HDD "C:" and "D:" the D drive appears to be empty...

Could i effectively transfer everything to the D drive then reformat windows, that i presume is on my "C:" drive and then just transfer back across?

apologies for my lack of technical terminology etc...

Cheers

Luke

.Griff. · 19 Mar 2012 at 17:59

It's more likely that the laptop has a single hdd split into two partitions.

Banjo Sandwich · 19 Mar 2012 at 18:44

Okay well the same question regarding partitions can this been done?

BigBoy · 19 Mar 2012 at 19:54

Banjo Sandwich · 19 Mar 2012 at 20:55

does this mean i'd have 64 bit windows on one partition and 32 bit on another?

Orcvader · 19 Mar 2012 at 20:56

Or during the install you can delete both partitions, and the recovery one as well to create one large partition for the new install.

Banjo Sandwich · 19 Mar 2012 at 20:56

the c drive seems to be named "OS" and the d drive is named "data"

Banjo Sandwich · 19 Mar 2012 at 20:58

yea but im trying to keep one of drives to store my music etc....

Orcvader · 19 Mar 2012 at 21:00

It's one drive anyway. I have no idea why some companies decides to split the drive into two partitions (or two sections if you're unsure what a partition is). Backing up one partition to another will still be lost if the drive dies. Best to have it as one partition in my opinion.

Mujja · 19 Mar 2012 at 21:06

Banjo Sandwich said:
does this mean i'd have 64 bit windows on one partition and 32 bit on another?

If you don't understand partitions then I would get some help installing Windows. e.g. do you know what drivers are and do you have them downloaded and ready? Do you have the utils you need to get all the extra buttons working?

Continue backing up all your data just incase you mess up the partitions.

What make/model is your laptop?

The best way to learn is to do it yourself. With a clean HDD have a play with creating and resizing partitions before you commit to a final install of Windows.

Also, the way the HDD is divided up now is how I would do it, 30-50G for the OS and the rest fo Data, makes backing up easier and like you mentioned in the future you can format the OS partition and keep your data safe.

Remember to move the locations of your Libraries to the Data parition after installation.

Mujja · 19 Mar 2012 at 21:08

Banjo Sandwich said:
yea but im trying to keep one of drives to store my music etc....

This is how I do it, all personal files and media go in a seperate partion. I also create a 3rd just for temp files and downloads.

Banjo Sandwich · 19 Mar 2012 at 21:17

i have formatted laptops before but usually i have a drivers disc or let windows obtain drivers, failing that then i go searching for the drivers etc...

My laptop is ASUS N53SV.

I just wondering what's the best way to do this, i dont have an external HDD and i am using like 5 4gb pen sticks to back up my stuff...

Would be easier to just dump all my data stuff in the D drive then format the C (OS) drive?

Orcvader · 19 Mar 2012 at 21:53

All the drivers can be found here on the Download tab: http://uk.asus.com/Notebooks/Multimedia_Entertainment/N53SV/#download

As long as you don't accidently remove the D partition, then it should be fine.