Help to install with multiple HDD


  1. Logetik
    Posts : 5
    Windows 7
       New #1

    Help to install with multiple HDD


    Hey Guys,

    So I currently have the RC version of Windows 7 installed and I purchased Win 7 ultimate and wish to do a clean install.

    I have 3 HDDs, my main one which Win 7 is installed on now, another one that has nothing on it and another one which stores my media, and will have all my stuff backed up on from my main drive.

    When I install windows 7 on my main HDD I will be formating it so everything is gone, once installed again will Windows 7 be able to see my other HDDs with all my files on them. Or will the other HDDs need to be formated for them to been seen.

    That is my only problem, I am hoping that they will just be the same they are now, but I am confused because the windows 7 now knows the other HDDs as drive F and E, when it is reformatted I am not sure what will happen.

    Help would be great.

    Cheers.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  3. GEWB
    Posts : 1,030
    Linux Mint / XP / Win7 Home, Pro, Ultimate / Win8.1 / Win10
       New #2

    Logetik said:
    When I install windows 7 on my main HDD I will be formating it so everything is gone, once installed again will Windows 7 be able to see my other HDDs with all my files on them.
    Yes.
    Logetik said:
    Or will the other HDDs need to be formated for them to been seen.
    No.

    But just to be safe, unplug your second and third drives before installing Windows to your first drive. After Windows is installed and you verify it is OK, then plug in the other drives - Windows should recognize them. If not, go into the admin and assign the drives.

    Regards, GEWB
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  4. reghakr
    Posts : 1,614
    Windows 7 Pro & Vista Home Premium
       New #3

    You can leave the drives in,you'll just have to set the boot order corectly

    If you need more help just ask.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  6. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #4

    If you leave the other drives plugged in during Win7 install, make sure none of them are marked Active in Disk Management, as this will confuse the installer and may end up with another drive being assigned the MBR.

    Then boot from the DVD, install Win7 using Custom install with Advanced drive tools to format the target drive first.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  7. GEWB
    Posts : 1,030
    Linux Mint / XP / Win7 Home, Pro, Ultimate / Win8.1 / Win10
       New #5

    reghakr and gregrocker are correct but I still recommend unplugging the second and third drive. You set the initial boot order to DVD in order to install - and are you SURE which drive is the target?

    Really sure?

    No? Then unplug the other two drives before installing Windows.

    After installing Windows and reconnecting the other drives then set the drive boot order to the first drive.

    Better safe than sorry.

    Regards, GEWB
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  8. Logetik
    Posts : 5
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Ok, thanks for your replies.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

 

  Related Discussions
Multiple BSODs after new GPU install
in BSOD Help and Support

Hello, I initially built my PC in 2011 and have upgraded to a Gigabyte 970 G1 GPU and is causing my PC to blue screen a lot. I think my GPU is too powerful for the rest of my build and is being bottlenecked and just causing these problems. Attached is the zipped folder with the log collector...
Hi, Is it possible using a large USB pen drive to create a bootable pen stick to allow the install of various Windows install ISO files? e.g Windows xp, Windows 7, Windows 8? I have some custom ISOs so I'm looking to be able to also be able to do this without the need for the ISO files to...
Hi, i had been having issues with bluescreens once every week or so. I took action by updating my drivers etc but this did not fix the issue. I re-installed windows and got all my drivers on and such yet the problem persists with more bluescreens, more often and with more driver causes. Before the...
I'm a starting up system builder. I'm in the process of trimming down all my processes to maximize efficiency and eventually throughput. One of my main bottlenecks at this point is installation of Windows. I have been doing it on all the computers individually so far. I have one goal for...
Install Multiple Apps at once!
in General Discussion

If you are upgrading from XP or if you frequently install and reinstall apps, you probably spend a lot of time collecting installers and Next-Next-Next-clicking through setup wizards. Ninite is a nifty website that lets you pick great free software and install it all at once. Head to Ninite....
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

 © Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 21:31.
Find Us