Risks Of Reformatting?

[Go_Oilers_Go]

Are there any risks to reformatting your hard drive?

[qnvhz147]

Re: Risks Of Reformatting?

you lose all your files. this means your computer has nothing on it but windows and whatever else comes on a new computer.

[Go_Oilers_Go]

Re: Risks Of Reformatting?

Yeah, I knew about that. But I've got all of the necessary disks. But are there any chances of my computer "dying" after I reformat? Because if that happens, then no more FFR for me.

[archbishopjabber]

Re: Risks Of Reformatting?

You will have to reinstall everything, possibly your OS as well.

As a note, if you have any illegal files on your computer, reformatting seven times will eliminate any traces of the files. Good idea if the feds or coming. Any less than that and traces of the files still remain and you can still get busted.

[Pyroshock]

Re: Risks Of Reformatting?

Formatting your hard drive basically sweeps all your files under the rug. Your hard drive wont die or anything.

But make sure you have your OS's installation disc handy before you format.

[Triplex72]

Re: Risks Of Reformatting?

When the computer is new you should always make a recovery image first thing, that way you can always reformat to when it was running like new. But it sounds like you're wiping it completely clean, so you may need to reinstall the OS.

[Branman123]

Re: Risks Of Reformatting?

Since I have had to re-ship my computer to HP a dozen times, they have always had to re-image my computer to fix a heat fan, powerjack, etc...

What I do, is keep all my installation CD's in one gallon ziplock bag already to use, with a list of websites to download things like Ad-aware etc...

Other than that, you may want to back-up all of your data files (Don't bother saving installed files). Microsoft Office files like Word Documents if they are important are worth keeping.

Otherwise, good luck!

[Smok3y]

Re: Risks Of Reformatting?

Hard drives are designed to be able to be reformatted many times, there's no real risk.

[jewpinthethird]

Re: Risks Of Reformatting?

What I do, is keep all my installation CD's in one gallon ziplock bag already to use, with a list of websites to download things like Ad-aware etc...

Same here. Only I call it my, "emergency pack" complete with a copy of Knoppix, which seems to boot up just fine, allowing me access to all my files no matter how f*cked up windows gets.

If you reformat, just be sure to backup all the files you want.

[DarkProdigy]

Re: Risks Of Reformatting?

As a note, if you have any illegal files on your computer, reformatting seven times will eliminate any traces of the files. Good idea if the feds or coming. Any less than that and traces of the files still remain and you can still get busted.

This is the first time I've heard of reformatting actually erasing files. Source please?
I'd recommend DBAN to wipe a hard drive clean. No files are coming back once that's finished.

Reformatting shouldn't pose any danger to your computer, aside from losing any files you may have forgotten to backup.

[evilcowgod]

Re: Risks Of Reformatting?

Yeah, I knew about that. But I've got all of the necessary disks. But are there any chances of my computer "dying" after I reformat? Because if that happens, then no more FFR for me.

A format is a clean slate. Of course your hard drive is not going to malfunction if you format, otherwise it's a piece of ****.