New build with old hard drive, Is a format needed? |
Discover the best free computer help!
Learn more about Geeks to Go by taking the tour. Spyware, virus, trojan, fake security or privacy alerts? Read the malware cleaning guide.
Learn more about Geeks to Go by taking the tour. Spyware, virus, trojan, fake security or privacy alerts? Read the malware cleaning guide.
  |
 May 8 2008, 06:18 PM
Post
#1
|
|
 Member  Posts: 52 From: Ontario, Canada OS: Vista Home Premium 32Bit  |
I am planning to use my existing 500 GB Western Digital hard drive in my New build. It has Vista Home Prem (OEM) installed on it. This is married to the Bios of the old MoBo, so I cannot reuse the OS. I am buying the same version to install with the new MoBo. Can I install the new OS over the old one or should I do a complete format of the drive? If I do need to format can I use a thumb drive with a third party program to format it? I would do this just before dismantling the computer. If possible, What would a easy program to use off the web? (free would be nice).  Thanks This post has been edited by Bushisland: May 8 2008, 06:22 PM |
 |
 
|
|
May 9 2008, 02:39 PM
Post
#2
|
|
|
Member 5k Posts: 5,462 From: UK OS: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 |
If there's nothing on the disk you want, then just boot off the Vista DVD and wipe it from there. Far easier than trying to go around the houses when the disk will do it for you.
|
|
|
|
|
May 9 2008, 03:58 PM
Post
#3
|
|
|
Member Posts: 52 From: Ontario, Canada OS: Vista Home Premium 32Bit |
QUOTE (Neil Jones @ May 9 2008, 04:39 PM)  If there's nothing on the disk you want, then just boot off the Vista DVD and wipe it from there. Far easier than trying to go around the houses when the disk will do it for you. So you are saying I can do a clean install using the new OEM disk. I didn't think I could do that. Thanks for your help. bushisland This post has been edited by Bushisland: May 9 2008, 04:00 PM |
|
|
|
|
May 9 2008, 05:25 PM
Post
#4
|
|
|
Member 5k Posts: 5,462 From: UK OS: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 |
OEM disks are designed to be installed on empty unformatted hard drives. By their design they will have formatting abilities available, since its not possible to store data on a drive unless its been formatted.
|
|
|
|
|
May 9 2008, 06:35 PM
Post
#5
|
|
|
Member Posts: 52 From: Ontario, Canada OS: Vista Home Premium 32Bit |
QUOTE (Neil Jones @ May 9 2008, 07:25 PM) OEM disks are designed to be installed on empty unformatted hard drives. By their design they will have formatting abilities available, since its not possible to store data on a drive unless its been formatted. Got it!  Thanks again.bushisland |
|
|
|
|
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
Similar Topics
| Topic Title | Replies / Views | Topic Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
2 / 245 | 12th March 2008 - 12:01 PM someguy12 started - last by someguy12 |
|||||
|
2 / 215 | 18th May 2008 - 07:47 PM tangerinecouch started - last by Tyger |
|||||
|
1 / 99 | 28th July 2008 - 08:18 AM mcrobb started - last by Troy |
|||||
|
3 / 179 | 15th November 2008 - 07:38 PM mediccody started - last by Candu |
|||||
|
Time is now: 2nd December 2008 - 12:47 AM |
| Advertisements do not imply our endorsement of that product or service. The forum is run by volunteers who donate their time and expertise. We make every attempt to ensure that the help and advice posted is accurate and will not cause harm to your computer. However, we do not guarantee that they are accurate and they are to be used at your own risk. |
