Solved Formatting windows 7

[kaps]

I want to format windows 7.
I have two drives on my computer (C & E), OS is installed on C drive and there is very important data on D drive So i don't want to loose it. I have tried windows repair but its not resolved the issue,i created the resource disk and system image disk earlier, can it help to restore or format only c drive without loosing data on d drive.

 

[juliaDexter]

When you reinstall the Windows, i think it gives you option to Format C... Formatting C would not hurt D...

 

[Ztruker]

For safety, disconnect the E: drive before doing anything. Restore, recover or install to C: then connect E: when done.

If E: is a partition on the same physical hard drive C: is on then this won't work of course.

 

[gregrocker]

You should always have important data backed up to External or another Internal HD, disks, flash stick, or use a free cloud method like Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with Skydrive - Windows 7 Help Forums.

I would not attempt running Factory Recovery at all with files still on the HD.

If you're doing a Clean Reinstall and are careful to only select C drive to format and then install, it should not affect files on D but it is still not a risk I'd take with important files. Having them not backed up at all is simply reckless.

 

[kaps]

can i do installation without using installation disk because my installation disk gives error for some files during copying files...(As mentioned earlier i have created system image disk & resource disk....can i do with these disks)

 

[gregrocker]

What is the licensed OS version? Is this retail Win7 with a readable Product Key that came with it, or did it come preinstalled on the PC with a COA sticker attached that shows the licensed versions and a readable Product Key?

Where did you get the Win7 installer and how is it burned to DVD? Start over with the ISO and tool to burn it with in Step 1 and 2 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 then follow the other steps in the blue link to get a perfect reinstall. Ask back with any questions.

 

[kaps]

created resource disk and system image through control panel->back & recovery option. both are needed or one of these is sufficient for installation...?

 

[gregrocker]

If you're satisfied with Win7 as it existed when you saved the image then you can boot the Repair CD to do System Image Recovery.

There's no reason to format the HD first unless the process prompts you to do that. Win7 backup imaging is pretty rudimentary so you'll only have the option to reimage to the exact place the saved partitions were. If you have data you should back it up, but the app may let you save partitions that are not included in the image.

 

[AddRAM]

Where are you with this ? Have you re installed Windows 7 yet ?

Have you used your disk image to re install windows 7 ?

 

[kaps]

I have tried it on other PC...but i confusing about to choose option showing for recovery....i am worrying about it will clear my another drive as it was(i.e. system will show two drives as like when i had taken the back up but second drive will empty due to reimaging OS)i dont want this....coz i dont have media to back my all data...

 

[gregrocker]

Is this a separate HD? If so then unplug it before reimaging.

If not a separate HD, and this is a separate partition that was not included in the image, the tutorial shows how to avoid having it formatted: System Image Recovery

Make sure the data is all backed up (as it should always be) and back up a System Image of the partition if you want.