I've got two partitions C and D.
I would like to reformat and reinstall Windows 7 on my C drive.
Would it affect any of the data on my D drive?
What measures should i take and what should i avoid doing so that i can ensure that I don't accidentally affect the data on my D drive?
Hello Ravanx.
Before we make any specific recommendations will you please post a snip/screen-shot of the entire disk management drive map with a full description as to which drive/partition is which, so we can see what you have.
In the Windows start menu right click computer and click manage, in the left pane of the "Computer Management" window that opens click disk management and post a snip of that.
How to Upload and Post a Screenshot and File in Seven Forums
the whole point of partitioning is to keep the two areas of your drive apart and separate from each other. it's almost as if you have two completely different physical drives.
so, to answer your question, d: would be completely safe and untouched if you formatted c:
it's the right way to go about things, in my opinion - os and programs on c:, data on d:
As long as you don't touch D: when you boot the Win7 DVD to Custom install to C: then there should be no problem. Just make sure if you use the Drive Options to Delete, create New and/or Format you make sure you are only highlighting the C partition, then make sure before you start install you double-check you have highlighted the correct partition again before you click Next.
All that said.
Why can't you backup D: as a normal safety precaution anyway.
Say if you transferred all data from one physical (not virtual partition) hard disk to another physical hard disk, what are the chances of file corruption?
How would you check for file corruption?
I generally rely on any bit error reporting in the transfer process. Then check number of files, folders and size. I personally haven't had problems and think the reliability of the storage media is the main thing to watch.
There may be other ways including 3rd party software to do bitwise file comparisons.
Just make sure you have a working HD to transfer files to, whether internal or external.
Drag the storage or User files from their location over to the explorer tree on the left side, place them on the target HD and don't release the left click hold until hypertext confirms it is copying them to the correct location.
For example, if I wanted to back up this machine I'm on now, I would go Start>Computer>Win7>Users>Admin (since I run under Admin) and drag the Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music and Favorites files onto e:external - either as a group, in smaller groups, or one at a time. When i place the group of folders on e: I wait to release the left click until it says "Copy to E:External" and is no longer unfolding the explorer tree to show me the sub-folders, since it tends to jump around while doing that.
I'm relying on the Windows transmission protocol to report transmission errors. When you do say a drag & drop copy I expect the transmiaaion layer protocols to run behind the scenes.
In terms of storage media. Say it's a HDD. I'd run checks for filesystem errors and bad sector check and repair.
Windows tools or run chkdsk /f/r
* A good HDD may fail or degenerate.
* Reliability of CD/DVD media is subject to media degradation and the wear and tear/alignment of your DVD reader over time.
* USB flash drives were never intended for long term storage
So I believe your storage media is the more likely point of failure.
Someone will tell you I bought brand x HDD and It's still running strong after 10 years. Someone else will say I bought brand x and it failed with 2 weeks.
Redundancy is your only friend.
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