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Windows 7 CD or other options for reformatting

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  • Windows 7
  • CD-Rom
Last response: in Windows 7
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September 8, 2014 4:55:23 AM

Good afternoon all,

New to the forum so hello and hope everyone is well.

I would like a little bit of advice regarding the options i can take in formatting my hard drive on my PC. I bought a Windows 7 Key a few years ago and have used it regularly to format my PC as i never keep important information on there and just like a refresh every now and again. Over time though i have end up losing this CD and am quite reluctant to buy another CD outright to be able to do this.

I am trying to find either another way of doing a complete format (preferably from BIOS or some other way) without having to rely on the Windows option for formatting. Obviously i have windows completely installed and the CD key on my computer with which i can keep to hand so the key itself isnt the problem but its mainly getting the CD.

Is there a way i can get a clean Cd / Dvd / USB drive / anything that i can copy just the core windows OS and use it to perform the same complete format as having a specific windows CD or is getting a windows CD the only way it can be done?

I will buy one if needed but obviously they are not cheap and if i can get around it some how then i would much prefer it as my Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E 5 has just died too so need to find a new keyboard :( 

Sorry for the long post, any help on this would be massively appreciated.

Many thanks

More about : windows options reformatting

a b $ Windows 7
September 8, 2014 5:01:42 AM

You can download the version of Windows you're using as an ISO and burn it to a disc. Then just insert it, designate the HDD for installation and begin. It'll ask for Product key, and you have to provide that.

PS: You can just format the C drive (not only the OS, the whole Partition, so keep a copy of all programs/ games on other partitions/ drives):
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstricks/tp/format-c.ht...
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September 8, 2014 5:12:58 AM

MeteorsRaining said:
You can download the version of Windows you're using as an ISO and burn it to a disc. Then just insert it, designate the HDD for installation and begin. It'll ask for Product key, and you have to provide that.

PS: You can just format the C drive (not only the OS, the whole Partition, so keep a copy of all programs/ games on other partitions/ drives):
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstricks/tp/format-c.ht...


I know about just formatting certain partitions and it may seem logical to do this i just like the point of having the whole thing wiped and knowing that when it loads up after its done the computer is fresh (as possible ^^)

Would this be possible to do from a USB? I'm not currently at home with my computer but does the BIOS have an option for starting up from "USB" or an external drive (would it recognize the USB to load from in this instance if nothing else was connected) and if so, if i put the windows ISO onto this USB would it load up as if i was using the CD itself?

I know bits and bobs about formatting and so on but I'm definitely not an expert.
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a b $ Windows 7
September 8, 2014 5:19:34 AM

Yes its possible to creat bootable USB:
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/html/pbPage.H...
OR
http://rufus.akeo.ie/


Yes you can change the boot sequence from BIOS and set it to boot from USB first.http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ss/bootorde...

Yes it'll recognize and boot from USB to Windows setup and installation.

Yes it'll load as it normally does.
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September 8, 2014 5:24:52 AM

MeteorsRaining said:
Yes its possible to creat bootable USB:
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/html/pbPage.H...
OR
http://rufus.akeo.ie/


Yes you can change the boot sequence from BIOS and set it to boot from USB first.http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ss/bootorde...

Yes it'll recognize and boot from USB to Windows setup and installation.

Yes it'll load as it normally does.


Thank you for the quick and helpful response!

Now just to find a Keyboard to be able to put my password into and do what i need and im good to go :) 

Many thanks again!
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a b $ Windows 7
September 8, 2014 5:33:41 AM

Glad to help, and what's the budget for Keyboard, and, any color or other preferences?
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September 8, 2014 9:14:56 AM

MeteorsRaining said:
Glad to help, and what's the budget for Keyboard, and, any color or other preferences?


Either looking to get another Mad Catz as they're not bad overall and quite used to it now or a Razer Blackwidow as i have a complete razer setup other than my keyboard at the moment (Naga and Orbweaver) probably about £150 max, don't really wanna go any higher than that.

Got to be green, everything is green, at least backlight or whole colour :) 
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September 8, 2014 5:57:17 PM

I would get a Razer Blackwidow for a keyboard.
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