Reformat question

[persius]

It's been a while since I needed to reformat so I'm here for a refresher.
My HD has the following partitions:
-C: (OS)
-D: (recovery)
-E: Data

I would like to reformat but to have my E: drives files remain where they are. Once reformatted to factory settings will that leave my E: alone? If I recall correctly, that is what should happen.


Thank you.

 

[TechnoMage]

If you use a program like EaseUS Partition Manager, you can reformat one partition at a time.
I do it all the time, by slaving the drive I'm working on, to my main PC, from where I run the Partition Manager.
All just in a days work.

 

[persius]

Thanks for replying. I'll have a look at the software you mentioned.

 

[TechnoMage]

OK, it's been a while. So I have to ask, "Did you ever get that C: drive (partition) re-formatted?

If you were local, I'd say, "bring it over here and I'll do it for you". I'm always set up for stuff like that. I do HD re-formats on my main PC all the time.
Usually it's a complete HD Wipe and Reformat, but sometimes it's just a single partition format.

I work with HD's, External, to my main PC, using extension cables. Here in this pic, I'm cloning one HD to another HD.
I do stuff like this so often, I don't even put the side panel on this PC. Very few PC shops have a setup as good as this.
Most of my work, like this, is done with "EaseUS Partition Master", run from the HD in my Main PC.

Cheers Mate!
TechnoMage

 

[spapakons]

You don't have to worry. If you have a DVD or USB with Windows 8.1 setup, boot from that. Start Setup and you should be presented with all your disks and partitions. You should see your Windows partition. You can either select it and proceed without formatting, or select it, format it and then proceed. In the first case you are warned that the partition already has an operating system and it will be copied to folder Windows.old So you have all your data intact there, until you cleanup the disk or is done automatically after some days. In the second case it will be like a clean install (format), with the difference that all your data on other partitions are not touched.

 

[persius]

Hi

The problem was that my PC was actually at the end of its life cycle. It literally started dying from the inside. I ended up having to buy a new unit which now has Win 10. All problems solved.

Thanks for your time.

 

[spapakons]

The next goal is to install Windows 8.1 or even 7 on a modern computer. The greatest challenge would be to find drivers or to force 10 drivers on 8.1