Questions about reintalling Windows 7

[WhinDohs]

I want to reinstall Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, I have 2 hard drives. A SSD with my operating system and games, and a second regular hard drive I use for storage. Do I need to disconnect the storage drive before I reinstall Windows?
I have my processor overclocked, will reinstalling Windows change that?
I only have a few games installed right now, Battle For Middle Earth and BF2 & BF3. What files do I have to copy so I can keep my progress in those games?
And about how long does it take to reinstall Windows to a SSD?

Thank you

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I would disconnect the storage drive. It reduces the chance of later issues.

I would also revert to default BIOS settings if I had an overclock set up--for the same reason. Redo the overclock after the reinstall.

An install to an SSD probably wouldn't take over 15 or 20 minutes for a basic install.

I have no idea about your gaming question.

 

[gregrocker]

Google the game and question to see how others saved these files. If this fails address the game's forum or Email support.

Steps here to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which are same for retail.

I would copy my User folders to Storage drive before disconnecting it. After install and reconnect, right click each User folder to add to the relevant Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums thus preserving your SSD space for programs which benefit from the speed.

 

[WhinDohs]

I would disconnect the storage drive. It reduces the chance of later issues.

I would also revert to default BIOS settings if I had an overclock set up--for the same reason. Redo the overclock after the reinstall.

An install to an SSD probably wouldn't take over 15 or 20 minutes for a basic install.

I have no idea about your gaming question.

So it's not absolutely necessary to disconnect the storage device or revert to default BIOS? The reasons I ask are
1: I have a physical disability, so if I need to have the storage drive disconnected, I'm going to need to find someone to help. And I don't have any friends that are good with PCs.
2: I didn't do the overclock on the processor and have never done one. Is it easy to do?

Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

You can achieve the same thing by entering BIOS setup to disable the storage HD during install.

If this is not possible, there should be no problem if in Disk Mgmt. SSD is DISK0 and the storage HD is not incorrectly marked Active.

 

[Golden]

I only have a few games installed right now, Battle For Middle Earth and BF2 & BF3. What files do I have to copy so I can keep my progress in those games?

Hi,

The profiles are probably stored under \Documents in the Libraries, so if you follow Greg's advice about User Folders, that should ensure you preserve the game progress. Check the Libraries carefully for that information.

Regards,
Golden

 

[WhinDohs]

You can achieve the same thing by entering BIOS setup to disable the storage HD during install.

If this is not possible, there should be no problem if in Disk Mgmt. SSD is DISK0 and the storage HD is not incorrectly marked Active.

According to Disk Mgmt my storage is listed as Disk 0, and my other drive is Disk 1. So I guess I'll have to disable the drive in BIOS. Is that pretty easy? Do I just do that right before I reinstall Windows 7? And then enable the drive in BIOS after the install is done?

Thanks

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Is that pretty easy? Do I just do that right before I reinstall Windows 7? And then enable the drive in BIOS after the install is done?

Yes, that is what you would have to do.

Easy? It takes no more than 30 seconds if you know how. Enter the BIOS, find the drive, locate the enable/disable switch, choose disable, save the changes, and exit.

Do you know how to enter the BIOS on your PC and do you have any experience in changing BIOS settings?

 

[whs]

The problem is that the installer will place the bootmgr on Disk0. But that is not necessarily where you want it. You want it on the SSD. If that happens, it can be fixed by moving the bootmgr. No gymnastics required. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/209885-bootmgr-move-c-easybcd.html

 

[metalrun]

I want to reinstall Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, I have 2 hard drives. A SSD with my operating system and games, and a second regular hard drive I use for storage. Do I need to disconnect the storage drive before I reinstall Windows?
I have my processor overclocked, will reinstalling Windows change that?
I only have a few games installed right now, Battle For Middle Earth and BF2 & BF3. What files do I have to copy so I can keep my progress in those games?
And about how long does it take to reinstall Windows to a SSD?

Thank you

Solution -
Hey bro, See it doesn't matter if you connect the second hdd or not during the installation until and unless you choose and format the correct drive. But just in case its better to remove the second hdd and use the internal only during this type of runs.
Secondly, you have do the BIOS default setting before formatting because of the over-clocking. you can redo it after the re-installation is complete.
Thirdly, The games part - where did u actually installed you games is it on SSD or second HDD. see some games works it they are copied from one location before formatting and copied back (not in the program files but some place else like a common folder on ur desktop) and sometimes it works but mostly not due to some registry and internal settings. So even if you backup your games its not 100% sure that all of the games will work but you can do one best thing i.e copy your game profiles and store it on second HDD and after you re-installation of Win7 and reinstalling the games, you can copy back the profiles where they were - Eg- if you play "need for speed" its profile is always stored in My documents so you copy it to a usb(or whatever) and if u even uninstall the game or re-install your PC and again install the game you will get your user profile as its but first you have to copy back that profile in "My Documents" & you are good to go...
And Finally - if you are formatting you PC then i will just you to make a backup one i.e copy your "Desktop/Download/My Documents/My Music/My Pics/My Videos" As all of these contents are saved in C drive only. So beware of these location backup also...
And time taken for re-installing Win7 in ssd is max to max 25mins.

Peace

 

[metalrun]

I would disconnect the storage drive. It reduces the chance of later issues.

I would also revert to default BIOS settings if I had an overclock set up--for the same reason. Redo the overclock after the reinstall.

An install to an SSD probably wouldn't take over 15 or 20 minutes for a basic install.

I have no idea about your gaming question.

So it's not absolutely necessary to disconnect the storage device or revert to default BIOS? The reasons I ask are
1: I have a physical disability, so if I need to have the storage drive disconnected, I'm going to need to find someone to help. And I don't have any friends that are good with PCs.
2: I didn't do the overclock on the processor and have never done one. Is it easy to do?

Thanks

Bro, its not a problem- just read my post you will get the proper idea (Just choose the correct drive to format and mark as active and format - its that simple).
and also for over-clocking first google about you processor and bios & then only i will recommend to over-clock you processor.

All the best