Formatting while reinstalling Windows 7

[ThumperSD]

I did not know Windows 7 installation only allowed a quick format (not full format). Since my hard drives are about a year old, I wanted to do a full format. I wish Windows warned about this for more tech savvy users.

Now that I have already done a quick format with Windows 7 installation, should I worry about any bad sectors?

What if I have bad sectors during a chkdsk scan? Should I do the format all over again?

What if I DONT have bad sectors during a chkdsk scan? Will I be fine?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello mate.


If you really want, have a look at Option Two of this tutorial and then have a thorough look through the information below to get the best possible install.

How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7


After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, use Step One of this tutorial at the first link below to do a wipe (secure erase) to the entire Hard Disk Drive / Solid State Drive.

• Then if you do not want to create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #2 to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to do the installation to.
• If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

Either way, running the "clean all" then creating and formatting the partition(s) using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

 

[theog]

You can alway check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.

Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
HD Diagnostic
Warning: On some motherboard's you will need to set the Sata controller to IDE mode in BIOS for the HD app to work correctly.

 

[ThumperSD]

If I run a checkdisk and comes back with no errors, does that mean im fine?

I am afraid settings my motherboard in IDE mode will mess up my ACHI mode used for my SSD.

 

[gregrocker]

You really only need to run HD diagnostics/repair extended CD scan if there are indications of trouble with your HD. I've never had problems with AHCI mode and I've run most maker's tools.

In your case, running http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html set to fix problems should suffice.

How is performance on your new install?

 

[ThumperSD]

I ran that standard chkdsk for both my SSD and HDD (after restarting the computer). The problem is that I do not know what my results are as my screen was black during the entire test and I had no way of knowing the status of the disk check. I am pretty sure that it is because I turned off my Windows boot GUI screen so that my computer will load faster. This causes Windows to NOT show the Windows animated screen when booting computer. After the disk check, it proceeded to load Windows as normal with no message. Does this mean that there was no error?

I suppose I should turn it back on and run the test over again if anything.

As far as performance, I have not had trouble with any drives so far. They seem very fast.

 

[gregrocker]

Check Disk (chkdsk) - Read Event Viewer Log - Windows 7 Forums

 

[ThumperSD]

I used that guide and found no errors in both of my chkdsk's. Does that mean I am fine and I can continue using my drives the way they are?

 

[gregrocker]

Sure, if you don't have any other symptoms.

If in doubt, run your HD maker's diagnostics/repair CD scan linked earlier.

And of course always keep your files and a Win7 image backed up externally.

 

[ThumperSD]

Yea seems like everything is fine as I have not had any problems so far

Would a bad drive damage the files that I already have on it? I do a backup of my drive weekly but if I am moving a bad file to a good drive, wouldn't it stay damaged? Not really sure how that works.

 

[theog]

When you restore your backup, you should recieve a warning of bad files.

 

[ThumperSD]

The thing is that I dont use Windows' system restore/backup. I only do a backup of my media files with SyncBack onto my external HDD. These files are accessible on my external HDD after the backup. It's pretty much the same thing as copying and pasting the files so the files are not put together in one file like Windows' backup does.

When I transferred these files back to my internal HDD after the format, it never gave me any warning.

 

[ThumperSD]

Bump

 

[gregrocker]

So what is the exact problem?

 

[ThumperSD]

Would a bad drive damage the files that I already have on it? I do a backup of my drive weekly but if I am moving a bad file to a good drive, wouldn't it stay damaged? Not really sure how that works.

Would like to get those questions answered

 

[theog]

Answered in post 11.

Would you like to answer post 14.