Question about formatting a drive and using a backup to restore.

Hey so this is a pretty basic question.
But lately my computer has been running a bit slower and I notice typical tasks are taking a bit longer.
I intend to format my hard drive and make it run like new.

First question: I got my computer factory built, but I built a new computer myself last year. I used my old HD from the factory comp (because it had an OS on it) so I don't have a windows 7 disk, but I have a CD key. Is there a way to get a windows 7 CD/install without buying one?

Second question: I am hoping to format the drive, then use an old backup to restore my computer. Now this is my question (and I am 99.9% sure I know the answer) if I were to restore from a backup after formatting would it still have the slowed down performance?

What recommendations would you guys make? What could improve performance without having to format?

See comments in bold

briantheman890 said:

First question: I got my computer factory built, but I built a new computer myself last year. I used my old HD from the factory comp (because it had an OS on it) so I don't have a windows 7 disk, but I have a CD key. Is there a way to get a windows 7 CD/install without buying one?

Did the factory built PC came with an OEM Windows installation and you moved that hard drive to the home-built PC, which had a different motherboard?

Is the Windows installation on the home-built PC with the old HD currently activated?

Do you mean a 25 character Product Key when you say "CD key"?

Does that Product Key come from a sticker on the factory-built PC, or from a disk of some type, or what?



Second question: I am hoping to format the drive, then use an old backup to restore my computer. Now this is my question (and I am 99.9% sure I know the answer) if I were to restore from a backup after formatting would it still have the slowed down performance?

A restoration from an old backup will contain whatever defects were on the C drive when you made the backup.


What recommendations would you guys make? What could improve performance without having to format?

You could have fixable problems that cause a slowdown, but a clean installation is preferable if you are willing to do it and have the appropriate Windows license and an installation disk.

First question:
The computer came with an OEM installation on the hard drive. I used that hard drive to put into my new computer so I didnt have to re-install and download everything (and try to find a windows 7 CD). It does have a different motherboard (asus p8z68-v pro).

The windows installation is currently activated on the old HD in the new computer.

The CD Key is the 25 characater product key (sorry for wrong terminology).
The product key did come with the stickey that was on the tower, I took it off and placed it on my new tower as well as wrote it down for emergency.

Second question:
Thats what I thought. Kind of stupid to think other-wise.

For the fixable problems what would be the best way to determine the issue? I have run spyware searches, anti-virus and all the typical things. I have done the disk clean up as well as remove any un-used programs.

A couple of issues here:

1: An OEM license is tied to a given motherboard. You changed motherboards. I am guessing that sooner or later you will have update or authentication issues on the home-built PC. I don't use OEM licenses, so don't know the finer points of how likely or when you are likely to be snared.

To avoid these problems, you would need to buy another Product Key or disk. "Retail" (non-OEM) discs are NOT tied to a motherboard and can be reinstalled as much as you want----to one PC at a time.

2: If you want to try to fix what you have, I'd start another thread in the Performance section with as much detail as possible regarding the performance issues--what happens, when it began, is it constant or intermittent, with what applications, what if anything you have done to resolve it, etc.

The machine did not come with a disk, it was a pre-installed OS.
I think I will just windows 8.
Thanks for the information guys, im glad I talked to you guys before I formatted everything.