when I reinstall windows 8, will I LOSE ALL MY DATA?

[ILUVMONEY]

Hello everyone,

First off, Thanks for the instruction.

Second - I'm planning to reinstall my windows 8 in my laptop, which was pre-installed with a recovery drive. I'm doing this because the either my memory usage or disk is running way too high than what I actually used. I've tried googling for solutions but none of them worked. Second, every time I do an update from windows or Hp, then it reboots but it goes automatically in "diagnosing PC" or "automatic repair."

The BIG QUESTION is when I reinstall windows 8, will I LOSE ALL MY DATA?

My layout in one hard drive, partition into 5:
C: Operating System
D: Recovery Drive
X: My data
Y: My data
Z: My data

So when I re-install, will I lose all my files in drive X, Y, and Z?

Note: I don't have an external disk to back it up for the time being (my last one recently failed).

I would be very thankful for your help. Thank you.

 

[Wynona]

I'm pretty sure you'll lose installed programs, but you may be safe with your data if you're very careful. However, if it were me, depending on how much data you have, I'd be caught backing it up.

Got an extra SATA hard drive laying around? Get a docking station for the drive and put your data on that temporarily. You don't have to move it, just copy it to the hard drive. Then, if things go bad, you can then put your data back on the laptop.

Here's a USB 2.0 docking station at newegg. They run from cheap (this one) to rather expensive. I have the Black X and it's sitting in my computer closet waiting until the need arises once more. Follow the link and then do a search for docking stations and find one that will fit your needs.

Rosewill RX-DU101 Black External Enclosure - Newegg.com

I do love my external drives, but the Black X came in really handy when my first external went belly up.

 

[ILUVMONEY]

Thanks Wynona,

I'm just worried about the files I have on XYZ drive. I don't mind losing the applications from the C drive because I would like to do a bit of alteration on the softwares I want in my operating system.

I don't live in the U.S or Canada so shipping would be crazy $$, but thanks for the link. I'll try to find something similar in my local area.

 

[theog]

BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP.

Have you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD. (Windows 8 only)
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html (Windows 8 only)
​

I would recommend you making the OEM manufacturer's Recovery DVD's or USB drive.
How to Make Recovery DVD
Creating System Recovery Discs in Windows 8 for HP Computers - YouTube
or
You can order the Microsoft official HP/Compaq OEM Recovery disks from the HP/Compaq OEM manufacturer's website.
https://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc...dlc=en&lc=en&os=4132&product=5309543&sw_lang=
How Do I Order or Download System Recovery Software? - YouTube

 

[oneeyed]

Since your OS is separate from your data, you will indeed be able to keep your data partitions intact. Just make sure to select the right partition when reinstalling.

That said you may want to backup some files on your OS partition first. Some locations to check are Appdata, and all the libraries folders (My Documents, My Pictures, etc...) if they are still on the OS one. Some old programs may even save some of your files in their own folders in Program Files.
A good guide about that is : How to Do a Clean Install of Windows Without Losing Your Files, Settings, and Tweaks

 

[ILUVMONEY]

Thanks theog & oneeyed!

I just tried to do a refresh Pc a couple of days ago but it went to automatic repair?

One thing I don't understand is when I make a recovery drive to a USb drive, it only takes around 500mb. If I do it to DVDs, it's several GBs??? That's weird.

Also, How can I download windows 8 version (not 8.1)? I have a feeling it might go to "automatic repair" mode if I do refresh PC or "Remove everything and reinstall windows." I only have the preinstalled windows and I don't know the product key as well.

Sorry, windows 8 is just a bit too new for me.

 

[theog]

Also, How can I download windows 8 version (not 8.1)?

As you have a OEM version, you would need to buy a Windows 8 DVD & Product Key.

 

[Wynona]

Thanks Wynona,

I'm just worried about the files I have on XYZ drive. I don't mind losing the applications from the C drive because I would like to do a bit of alteration on the softwares I want in my operating system.

I don't live in the U.S or Canada so shipping would be crazy $$, but thanks for the link. I'll try to find something similar in my local area.

Oops . . . at any rate, you know what too look for. I'm sure you can find it in your 'neck of the woods'.

 

[pabloottawa]

Hello everyone,

First off, Thanks for the instruction.

Second - I'm planning to reinstall my windows 8 in my laptop, which was pre-installed with a recovery drive. I'm doing this because the either my memory usage or disk is running way too high than what I actually used. I've tried googling for solutions but none of them worked. Second, every time I do an update from windows or Hp, then it reboots but it goes automatically in "diagnosing PC" or "automatic repair."

The BIG QUESTION is when I reinstall windows 8, will I LOSE ALL MY DATA?

My layout in one hard drive, partition into 5:
C: Operating System
D: Recovery Drive
X: My data
Y: My data
Z: My data

So when I re-install, will I lose all my files in drive X, Y, and Z?

Note: I don't have an external disk to back it up for the time being (my last one recently failed).

I would be very thankful for your help. Thank you.

Best thing to do is physically disconnect all the drives except for the C drive or the drive you intend to install Win 8 on. I made the mistake of installing win 8 with all my secondary drives connected and it wiped out a TON of data from one of them thinking it needed to be "repaired".

 

[Ztruker]

It's a single drive, with 5 partitions so nothing to disconnect.

 

[Wynona]

It's a single drive, with 5 partitions so nothing to disconnect.

And a laptop to boot! I'd love to see a laptop with that many drives stuffed into it.

Sorry Babloottawa . . . just too good to resist.

 

[ILUVMONEY]

Merry late Christmas Everyone!

Good News: I was able to reinstall windows 8 without deleting my data on other partitions. Yayyy! And when updating and restarts, it doesn't go to "automatic repair," so that's good.

Not so great news: After installing windows updates, it seems my cpu is slower in terms of booting up. Also, I noticed on my task manager, my cpu usage is around 35% constantly because of a service host: local system:



Can I end this process? I don't know if it's really important for windows to function properly or not? Thx

 

[pabloottawa]

Then don't take my advice.. Simple as that lol

Sorry but I have no clue what to do if you have partitions.... I personally don't like to use partitions for the same reason you're having problems. The other guys may be able to help.

 

[oneeyed]

Well first good job on the reinstall.

Service Host is a special process, it's a way for windows to regroup several services/programs, often necessary for your system. Shutting it down isn't recommended at all, if it's even possible.

What you could do though is determine which service exactly takes so much of your cpu. A good guide to services can be found at : » Black Viper?s Windows 8.1 Service Configurations
I know on my system Service Host : Local System is reduced from 14 to 11 (see screenshot) so it's possible you can stop the service responsible for your problems.

It could also be a bad driver, check your PC's website for the latest drivers (bios, chipset, NIC) and also check your graphics card.website.

 

[ILUVMONEY]

Thanks oneeyed for the link. I'll take a look at it. I couldn't change the system broker. No selection was given.
Cpus usage is still the same after adjustments.

I see you have the almost the same service host but with 0% cpu usage. Mine is constantly at 35% even without opening any browsers or applications, which is weird. I updated the important updates from windows and HP.