Re-Formatting Hard Drive

[Popeye]

When you re-format a hard drive, do you loose everything off it - programmes, data and OS ??

 

[Dickieboy]

Yes you do.

 

[Buttso]

but you can recover the data with data recovery software

even if you format the drive..

 

[Popeye]

ok.......so I'm thinking that re-formatting the hard drive and re-loading XP is my final no cost option to speed the old pc up before having to upgrade to something newer.

If I do a "mirror" copy of all my data onto a remote hard drive and make sure I've got originals of all the programme discs and downloads am I good to go??

Anything else I need to be aware of before hitting the final button?? Gulp.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

yes so long as you have a copy of all the data, programs and XP with key your all set.

 

[Dickieboy]

It might be an idea to go to your computer manufacturers website and download any drivers you might need, particularly if it's a laptop because with XP it will not have the drivers for the wireless card, Graphics etc.

 

[Popeye]

Thanks for the replies, appreciated Deep breath time

 

[Buttso]

a very handy wee program for doing this type of migration (so you dont miss anything)

is the Windows File and settings transfer wizard, takes everything from an old Pc to a new one, or even reloading your own to speed it up..

link here just in case you find it handy..

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457074.aspx

 

[Popeye]

Buttso - that's a great resource, thanks for the pointer

 

[GS_or_bust]

A safer way to do it is to buy a new hard disk and do the new install on this. That way you can copy stuff off the old disk if necessary and if it all goes wrong you can just put the old disk back in again.