First custom PC build (Q's)

MadSupra354 said:

This is my first custom PC and I have a few questions.
I removed the Thermal Compound on the CPU with alcohol wipes, is that what I'm supposed to do? Just making sure. Two more questions: I have a Seagate drive, with all my data on it which I want to move to the WD Caviar Black and basically dedicate the Seagate HDD for Fraps content. How do I do that?
Last question is, on the WD HDD wrapper, it says 'Go here *website* to find out installation of advanced format drives' I went there and it asks me to download the WDAlign Tool. It asks me some questions first, like this one I don't understand, "Are you using a cloning utility" idk what this is xP
Sorry for being IT illiteracy, this is the first rig I've ever built. I hope you'll understand :)

You should completely clean (take your time) the old thermal compound and reapply new compound. Go to Arcticsilver.com and look up your processor for specific technique. DON"T use a big glob of it.

If you just want to copy data from drive A to drive B, use the mouse. Leave the old drive disconnected when you reinstall Windows. After Windows is installed, reconnect the old drive and use the mouse to copy your files from old drive to new drive.

You shouldn't need any special tools from WD site.

You could use the free WD imaging tool to copy your old drive to the new drive, but if you are doing a clean install, you would not use imaging.

Anything called "alignment" refers to SSD drives and it looks like you do not have one. You have a standard WD "Caviar Black"--a good drive that does not need the alignment tool.

If you bought a retail hard drive rather than an OEM, it probably comes with software designed to transfer from drive A to drive B. But you don't have to use this software.

ignatzatsonic said:

MadSupra354 said:

This is my first custom PC and I have a few questions.
I removed the Thermal Compound on the CPU with alcohol wipes, is that what I'm supposed to do? Just making sure. Two more questions: I have a Seagate drive, with all my data on it which I want to move to the WD Caviar Black and basically dedicate the Seagate HDD for Fraps content. How do I do that?
Last question is, on the WD HDD wrapper, it says 'Go here *website* to find out installation of advanced format drives' I went there and it asks me to download the WDAlign Tool. It asks me some questions first, like this one I don't understand, "Are you using a cloning utility" idk what this is xP
Sorry for being IT illiteracy, this is the first rig I've ever built. I hope you'll understand :)

You should completely clean (take your time) the old thermal compound and reapply new compound. Go to Arcticsilver.com and look up your processor for specific technique. DON"T use a big glob of it.

If you just want to copy data from drive A to drive B, use the mouse. Leave the old drive disconnected when you reinstall Windows. After Windows is installed, reconnect the old drive and use the mouse to copy your files from old drive to new drive.

You shouldn't need any special tools from WD site.

You could use the free WD imaging tool to copy your old drive to the new drive, but if you are doing a clean install, you would not use imaging.

Anything called "alignment" refers to SSD drives and it looks like you do not have one. You have a standard WD "Caviar Black"--a good drive that does not need the alignment tool.

If you bought a retail hard drive rather than an OEM, it probably comes with software designed to transfer from drive A to drive B. But you don't have to use this software.

I know it sounds stupid, but I don't have a copy of Windows 7. I just got Windows 7 with my Packard Bell (I'm taking some components from that and putting it in the new build) Also, my PSU (non moduler) has 2 6 pin +2 pin connectors, will it matter if I leave them and just plug the 2 6 pin into my GPU?

Slow down. Breathe deep and slow down.

Put horses before carts.

Answer these questions:

Do you have ANY type of an install disc, from Packard Bell or otherwise?

What is your present idea about how you will get Windows 7 onto the new disc, assuming that is your intent?

Do you intend to change motherboards?

What "new" components will you be using, other than the new hard drive?

ignatzatsonic said:

Slow down. Breathe deep and slow down.

Put horses before carts.

Answer these questions:

Do you have ANY type of an install disc, from Packard Bell or otherwise?

What is your present idea about how you will get Windows 7 onto the new disc, assuming that is your intent?

Do you intend to change motherboards?

What "new" components will you be using, other than the new hard drive?

I don't have any install disc from Packard Bell, I was hoping I could just move all my files including Windows 7 onto the WD drive. The new components are the case, motherboard, cpu cooler, gpu and psu.

MadSupra354 said:

ignatzatsonic said:

Slow down. Breathe deep and slow down.

Put horses before carts.

Answer these questions:

Do you have ANY type of an install disc, from Packard Bell or otherwise?

What is your present idea about how you will get Windows 7 onto the new disc, assuming that is your intent?

Do you intend to change motherboards?

What "new" components will you be using, other than the new hard drive?

I don't have any install disc from Packard Bell, I was hoping I could just move all my files including Windows 7 onto the WD drive. The new components are the case, motherboard, cpu cooler, gpu and psu.

You are changing motherboards. You will not have luck activating your Windows license even if you were to get it installed. You have an OEM Windows license that applies only to the Packard Bell motherboard.

Aside from that, you could not simply move Windows and installed programs from disc A to disc B. You would have to reinstall Windows and programs.

Your best move:

If you have not already bought your new stuff, be grateful. Do more planning and ask more questions before taking such a plunge.

If you have bought your new stuff, you must buy a retail Windows disc.

ignatzatsonic said:

MadSupra354 said:

ignatzatsonic said:

Slow down. Breathe deep and slow down.

Put horses before carts.

Answer these questions:

Do you have ANY type of an install disc, from Packard Bell or otherwise?

What is your present idea about how you will get Windows 7 onto the new disc, assuming that is your intent?

Do you intend to change motherboards?

What "new" components will you be using, other than the new hard drive?

I don't have any install disc from Packard Bell, I was hoping I could just move all my files including Windows 7 onto the WD drive. The new components are the case, motherboard, cpu cooler, gpu and psu.

You are changing motherboards. You will not have luck activating your Windows license even if you were to get it installed. You have an OEM Windows license that applies only to the Packard Bell motherboard.

Aside from that, you could not simply move Windows and installed programs from disc A to disc B. You would have to reinstall Windows and programs.

Your best move:

If you have not already bought your new stuff, be grateful. Do more planning and ask more questions before taking such a plunge.

If you have bought your new stuff, you must buy a retail Windows disc.

So, what will I do once I get Windows 7? Will all my data be lost?

No, if you do it right.

Yes, if you plunge in blindly and do it wrong.

There are many tutorials on this site about how to do it right.

You need to plan and organize first. Read.

ignatzatsonic said:

No, if you do it right.

Yes, if you plunge in blindly and do it wrong.

There are many tutorials on this site about how to do it right.

You need to plan and organize first. Read.

Could I please get a link to one of the tutorials?