Format HDD before installing new Mobo/CPU?

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Esaciar

Esaciar

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Aug 10, 2013
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10,510
I have a HDD with Windows 7 and around 120GB of stuff (I'd rather clear out for a fresh start)

Getting a GIGA/GA-Z77-D3H Mobo and a CPU/COREi5/3470 as well as a 2GB ZOTAC GTX760 AMP Edition GPU.

I am wanting to know if I should do a complete HDD format tonight before installing the new parts tomorrow? I've got the Windows 7 DVD and key code so does that mean I'll be able to boot with appropriate chipset drivers if I have a formatted HDD when I do so?

Also, if I format the HDD, will that mean the Windows licence will "reset" and allow a clean install or is there something I must do so that it isn't registered to my "old" PC?

Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
dextermat
Hi,

Did you partition you drive?

Lets say you have a partition with widows 7 and the other partition with your data, you could just format and reinstall on the partition with windows already installed.
Therefore keep your data.

I would personally try to boot with windows already installed and see if it works. I found that it would work if the chipset of the mobo are similar.

Since the license is associated with the parts in your computer, you will probably have a message that your windows 7 is not genuine.
Is windows 7 home premium or professional ?
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dextermat

dextermat

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Sep 21, 2007
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Hi,

Did you partition you drive?

Lets say you have a partition with widows 7 and the other partition with your data, you could just format and reinstall on the partition with windows already installed.
Therefore keep your data.

I would personally try to boot with windows already installed and see if it works. I found that it would work if the chipset of the mobo are similar.

Since the license is associated with the parts in your computer, you will probably have a message that your windows 7 is not genuine.
Is windows 7 home premium or professional ?
 
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Solution
Esaciar

Esaciar

Honorable
Aug 10, 2013
11
0
10,510
Retail Windows 7 (Office Home & Student 2007) Premium

Previous Mobo was a Asus P8H61 PLUS.

Haven't yet partitioned the drives - at least not to my knowledge - as memory and HDD are still areas I feel quite green around.



 
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Esaciar

Esaciar

Honorable
Aug 10, 2013
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0
10,510
Really not sure what to do for the best... I am assuming a HDD format will allow me a clean slate with appropriate chipset drivers and thus a more efficient system from the outset.

I'm not a massive fan of having to download my Steam collection again, but I'd take that over Mobo integration problems at a snip.

 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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If you have another drive, you can save all your steam data, and move it back after the install. Or, as suggested above, two different partitions.
 
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