Will both my hard drive be formatted if I do a Clean re-installation of Windows?

reach756

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Nov 5, 2013
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Due to a unrelated problem (I made a different thread about it but no solution) I finally decided to just do a clean installation and start off fresh. However my concern is to my second internal hard drive which carries all my movies, games, documents, etc..... (nothing system related).

So here are my questions:
1. Can i just unplug my second hard drive and plug it back in after the installation? And will it continue to work? Keep in mind i only want to reformat my 1st hard drive which contain all the system files.

2. My current os is windows 7 ultimate but I no longer have the cd or the product code, however I do have a disc and product code for window 7 home I bought for my second computer but I'll use it on this computer if i have to. I know my current os is register to my mobo, but if I do a clean installation shouldn't that get rid of that so i can just reinstall using my window 7 home cd and code?

3. Can i use my windows 7 home cd to do the clean installation?

4. Will my second hard drive still work regardless of which os?

Sorry for the many questions but I just to be safe.

 
Solution
Well keys only stay on the servers for like three mths or something

Once you format Win7 ultimate whatever is on it is gone. If you havent used Home then it should activate.

Just bear in mind that it wont have all the features of Ultimate. So what you had before you wont have now

I would suggest unplugging the "data" drive during installation - and let Windows do it's stuff. You might have to go into the properties of the drive and/or folders on the drive and take ownership of the files.

If you don't have the product code for the Windows 7 Ultimate...you may have to purchase a new license....If the Windows 7 home is currently installed on another computer, you can't install it on the 2nd computer at the same time. One computer - one license.

 
1. Can i just unplug my second hard drive and plug it back in after the installation? And will it continue to work? Keep in mind i only want to reformat my 1st hard drive which contain all the system files.

Yup the 2nd hdd will still be there

2. My current os is windows 7 ultimate but I no longer have the cd or the product code, however I do have a disc and product code for window 7 home I bought for my second computer but I'll use it on this computer if i have to. I know my current os is register to my mobo, but if I do a clean installation shouldn't that get rid of that so i can just reinstall using my window 7 home cd and code?

Depends if Home is still on the 2nd PC and how long ago you installed it. It may say the key is in use if you try to activate it


Can i use my windows 7 home cd to do the clean installation?

You maybe able to install it but activating it is another matter
 

reach756

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Nov 5, 2013
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When you say "data drive" do you mean the second drive?
I havnt use the window7 home product code yet. The cd and code are still in the box which is still unopen.
 

reach756

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Nov 5, 2013
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reach756

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So to clarify, my windows 7 cd and product code (which has not been use ever) will work for the reinstallation and will over-write the windows 7 ultimate register product code on my mobo?
 
Well keys only stay on the servers for like three mths or something

Once you format Win7 ultimate whatever is on it is gone. If you havent used Home then it should activate.

Just bear in mind that it wont have all the features of Ultimate. So what you had before you wont have now

 
Solution