Reformat C drive with same O/S

I have 2 external drives that are partitoned with backup's & other important data. When reformatting the hard drive using the Windows XP Pro re-installation disk...will the computer recognize that these 2 external drives again ( after successful re-install) when you go into My computer & click on Manage? Or, Would you have to re-install the 2 external drives with their orginal disks, & will the data already in these 2 drives remain left in tact?

 

yes it will recognize, but you will need to install MoBos drivers and USB drivers.

 

Thanks for the info....but don't you think that the Mobos drivers & theUSB drivers are part of the installation disks that came with each of the external drives? I have the Seagate & Maxtor.

 

no it's not true, MoBo's drivers(usually named as chipset drivers) and USB drivers should be found on the Installation disk which is always supplied with your motherboard(if you buy a retail version) or with your computer(if you buy the whole system.)

 

Aways ? Would that life were that simple.

Some manufacturers supply the drivers disks, some put the stuff on the hard drive. Some have the drivers available on their websites.

Before you reformat, look for a folder on you C drive marked Drivers or Dell or Time or somesuch. Copy this off to a safe place as it will contain the drivers you need plus the installation information.

If you don't have a disk and can't find them on the C drive let us know the make and model and we can help find the drivers online.

As plaphon says you need two sets of drivers. On efor the basic system after you have re installed windows. And the second for the external hard drives after you have the system running normally again.

Hope this helps

Studio T

 

yes, you are right, i meant usually

anyway if you haven't such disk you can dowload MoBo/USB drivers from the manufacturer site.

 

Yes, thanks...helps a lot. Am I also correct to assume that it would be the safest to disconnect my road runner internet cables & my linksys router cables before running the re-format & re-install of XP Pro?

 

I prefer to (re)install windows with the minimum possible attached -1 hard drive 1 cd perhaps 1 floppy - nothing else, no printers, scanners, network, uncle tom cobblys.
When you have installed it Windowss will find enough to get on with asking for drivers. It will want the drivers for the VGA, perhaps the audio, perhaps the modem, perhaps some of the motherboard chips. Supply these in the order graphics, motherboard, audio, modem, anything else.

When you have done all that you can start adding in the peripherals.


Oh and by the way, windows setup will reformat the drive for you as par tof the installation, you do not need to do it separately.

happy geeking


Studio T