Getting a new motherboard, cpu and ram tomorrow. What are my options with reinstalling Windows 10?

[semichaud1]

I'm assuming I need to reinstall Windows 10 because of the new motherboard, cpu and ram drivers that it would need to install.

What are my options? Can I choose to keep my files and programs or must I wipe the hard drive clean?

Thanks.

 

[Paul NZ]

Wipe the hdd clean. If the hdd is from something else,and if it's got an OS on it

 

[semichaud1]

Wipe the hdd clean. If the hdd is from something else,and if it's got an OS on it

I was thinking if there was a possibility of doing the following:
1. physically install the new hardware,
2. boot the pc with Windows 10 cd,
3. Windows10 gives the option to keep files and programs or just files,
4. follow through with the installation, and done.

Will I have these options?

 

[Paul NZ]

No Unless you want it to crash forever do a clean install

 

[semichaud1]

No Unless you want it to crash forever do a clean install

One last question and if it's not feasible I'll just wipe the hdd clean after backing up my files:

If I put the cd in and it gives me the option to keep my files only (not programs), would it not already be wiping out the necessary like drivers and reinstalling them so that the OS would be installed properly with the new hardware?

 

[USAFRet]

No Unless you want it to crash forever do a clean install

One last question and if it's not feasible I'll just wipe the hdd clean after backing up my files:

If I put the cd in and it gives me the option to keep my files only (not programs), would it not already be wiping out the necessary like drivers and reinstalling them so that the OS would be installed properly with the new hardware?

Even if it does, you should be fully prepared for a full reinstall.
And if you have that, why not do it...

 

[Paul NZ]

No you boot from the dvd / flash drive delete all partitions first. Then install windows

You dont reinstall windows in windows.

You cant backup programs that you've installed then put them back on the hdd after you've reinstalled windows

The programs wont work

The only files you can copy are contacts, docs, photos / small files

 

[geofelt]

First of all, back up externally whatever you need to.

If reinstalling apps and games would be a sufficient chore, give it a try and see if you can boot with your current windows 10.
If you are successful, all you need to do is install the new motherboard drivers which will come on a cd with your motherboard.

Consider that this might be a good time to move to a ssd for the C drive.
Install windows 10 on it with no drives attached.
Later you can reattach the HDD and your data files will be available.
You will need to reinstall apps that use the registry.
And, you can simply delete the old windows and games folders.

 

[semichaud1]

No Unless you want it to crash forever do a clean install

One last question and if it's not feasible I'll just wipe the hdd clean after backing up my files:

If I put the cd in and it gives me the option to keep my files only (not programs), would it not already be wiping out the necessary like drivers and reinstalling them so that the OS would be installed properly with the new hardware?

Even if it does, you should be fully prepared for a full reinstall.
And if you have that, why not do it...

Because that way I don’t have to transfer all files to an external hdd and then transfer back again. Windows 10 would just keep them.

 

[USAFRet]

No Unless you want it to crash forever do a clean install

One last question and if it's not feasible I'll just wipe the hdd clean after backing up my files:

If I put the cd in and it gives me the option to keep my files only (not programs), would it not already be wiping out the necessary like drivers and reinstalling them so that the OS would be installed properly with the new hardware?

Even if it does, you should be fully prepared for a full reinstall.
And if you have that, why not do it...

Because that way I don’t have to transfer all files to an external hdd and then transfer back again. Windows 10 would just keep them.

Yes, we all wish it were that easy.
There are basically 3 ways this ends up:
1. It boots up and 'just works'
2. It fails completely
3. It works, but there are lingering issues you find later.

There are no 'percentages'...it just is.
Prepare and do a complete reinstall. That is guaranteed to work.
Or, you could just wing it, and hope you get lucky. If/when it fails completely, and you're not prepared for a rull reinstall...you'll be sad.

Also:
Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

 

[semichaud1]

No you boot from the dvd / flash drive delete all partitions first. Then install windows

You dont reinstall windows in windows.

You cant backup programs that you've installed then put them back on the hdd after you've reinstalled windows

The programs wont work

The only files you can copy are contacts, docs, photos / small files

First of all, back up externally whatever you need to.

If reinstalling apps and games would be a sufficient chore, give it a try and see if you can boot with your current windows 10.
If you are successful, all you need to do is install the new motherboard drivers which will come on a cd with your motherboard.

Consider that this might be a good time to move to a ssd for the C drive.
Install windows 10 on it with no drives attached.
Later you can reattach the HDD and your data files will be available.
You will need to reinstall apps that use the registry.
And, you can simply delete the old windows and games folders.

In the past I had the OS running from an SSD and used the internal HDD as storage. Then when Windows 10 would update, it would get corrupted. Had to wipe the SSD and reinstall Windows 10. This happened twice so I use the SSD in my laptop now and use the internal HDD only for my desktop. Do you think I should give it another go this time?

 

[semichaud1]

No Unless you want it to crash forever do a clean install

One last question and if it's not feasible I'll just wipe the hdd clean after backing up my files:

If I put the cd in and it gives me the option to keep my files only (not programs), would it not already be wiping out the necessary like drivers and reinstalling them so that the OS would be installed properly with the new hardware?

Even if it does, you should be fully prepared for a full reinstall.
And if you have that, why not do it...

Because that way I don’t have to transfer all files to an external hdd and then transfer back again. Windows 10 would just keep them.

Yes, we all wish it were that easy.
There are basically 3 ways this ends up:
1. It boots up and 'just works'
2. It fails completely
3. It works, but there are lingering issues you find later.

There are no 'percentages'...it just is.
Prepare and do a complete reinstall. That is guaranteed to work.
Or, you could just wing it, and hope you get lucky. If/when it fails completely, and you're not prepared for a rull reinstall...you'll be sad.

Also:
Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

Lol. Ok I'll backup my files only and do a clean install. Thanks.

 

[semichaud1]

First of all, back up externally whatever you need to.

If reinstalling apps and games would be a sufficient chore, give it a try and see if you can boot with your current windows 10.
If you are successful, all you need to do is install the new motherboard drivers which will come on a cd with your motherboard.

Consider that this might be a good time to move to a ssd for the C drive.
Install windows 10 on it with no drives attached.
Later you can reattach the HDD and your data files will be available.
You will need to reinstall apps that use the registry.
And, you can simply delete the old windows and games folders.

Is there any special setup I need to do with the HDD as storage when using the OS on an SSD? Maybe if you know a website with instructions. When I used both I just left the HDD plugged on the motherboard, plugged in the SSD, then installed Windows 10 and followed the steps to install it on the SSD. The I could access files from the HDD through the OS on the SSD. I'm just trying to see if Windows updates were corrupted because I did not do something when using both drives.

 

[USAFRet]

First of all, back up externally whatever you need to.

If reinstalling apps and games would be a sufficient chore, give it a try and see if you can boot with your current windows 10.
If you are successful, all you need to do is install the new motherboard drivers which will come on a cd with your motherboard.

Consider that this might be a good time to move to a ssd for the C drive.
Install windows 10 on it with no drives attached.
Later you can reattach the HDD and your data files will be available.
You will need to reinstall apps that use the registry.
And, you can simply delete the old windows and games folders.

Is there any special setup I need to do with the HDD as storage when using the OS on an SSD? Maybe if you know a website with instructions. When I used both I just left the HDD plugged on the motherboard, plugged in the SSD, then installed Windows 10 and followed the steps to install it on the SSD. The I could access files from the HDD through the OS on the SSD. I'm just trying to see if Windows updates were corrupted because I did not do something when using both drives.

When you do this install, have only ONE drive connected. The SSD.
Assuming Windows 10...
How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

 

[semichaud1]

First of all, back up externally whatever you need to.

If reinstalling apps and games would be a sufficient chore, give it a try and see if you can boot with your current windows 10.
If you are successful, all you need to do is install the new motherboard drivers which will come on a cd with your motherboard.

Consider that this might be a good time to move to a ssd for the C drive.
Install windows 10 on it with no drives attached.
Later you can reattach the HDD and your data files will be available.
You will need to reinstall apps that use the registry.
And, you can simply delete the old windows and games folders.

Is there any special setup I need to do with the HDD as storage when using the OS on an SSD? Maybe if you know a website with instructions. When I used both I just left the HDD plugged on the motherboard, plugged in the SSD, then installed Windows 10 and followed the steps to install it on the SSD. The I could access files from the HDD through the OS on the SSD. I'm just trying to see if Windows updates were corrupted because I did not do something when using both drives.

When you do this install, have only ONE drive connected. The SSD.
Assuming Windows 10...
How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

Ok. So after installing the OS on the SSD, I plug in the HDD too on the motherboard and that's it? I've done that in the past and I was able to access my files on the HDD that way. But the Windows 10 updates on the SSD would corrupt the OS after a while. That happened twice and I had to reformat the SSD. After plugging in the HDD, is there anything else I should do, like installing a third party program or something? Searches on the internet show that I should wipe the HDD clean even if I plan to have such a setup with the OS on the SSD.

 

[USAFRet]

Ok. So after installing the OS on the SSD, I plug in the HDD too on the motherboard and that's it? I've done that in the past and I was able to access my files on the HDD that way. But the Windows 10 updates on the SSD would corrupt the OS after a while. That happened twice and I had to reformat the SSD. After plugging in the HDD, is there anything else I should do, like installing a third party program or something? Searches on the internet show that I should wipe the HDD clean even if I plan to have such a setup with the OS on the SSD.

Ideally, you wipe the OS off the old HDD. Having the OS on both drives is simply a waste of space.
Copy your personal files off it to somewhere else, and wipe that drive.
Then, copy whatever you want back to the HDD.

How to manage space between the two drives:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html


For Steam games, you can have them on either or both:
Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

 

[semichaud1]

Ok. So after installing the OS on the SSD, I plug in the HDD too on the motherboard and that's it? I've done that in the past and I was able to access my files on the HDD that way. But the Windows 10 updates on the SSD would corrupt the OS after a while. That happened twice and I had to reformat the SSD. After plugging in the HDD, is there anything else I should do, like installing a third party program or something? Searches on the internet show that I should wipe the HDD clean even if I plan to have such a setup with the OS on the SSD.

Ideally, you wipe the OS off the old HDD. Having the OS on both drives is simply a waste of space.
Copy your personal files off it to somewhere else, and wipe that drive.
Then, copy whatever you want back to the HDD.

How to manage space between the two drives:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html


For Steam games, you can have them on either or both:
Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

Alright. Thank you very much. I watched a few videos online too just now to make sure I do this properly this time.

 

[semichaud1]

Ok. So after installing the OS on the SSD, I plug in the HDD too on the motherboard and that's it? I've done that in the past and I was able to access my files on the HDD that way. But the Windows 10 updates on the SSD would corrupt the OS after a while. That happened twice and I had to reformat the SSD. After plugging in the HDD, is there anything else I should do, like installing a third party program or something? Searches on the internet show that I should wipe the HDD clean even if I plan to have such a setup with the OS on the SSD.

Ideally, you wipe the OS off the old HDD. Having the OS on both drives is simply a waste of space.
Copy your personal files off it to somewhere else, and wipe that drive.
Then, copy whatever you want back to the HDD.

How to manage space between the two drives:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html


For Steam games, you can have them on either or both:
Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

So I got my bundle this morning and while screwing the motherboard to the casing I dropped the screw on the board a couple of times because they are small and hard to put in place before using the screwdriver on them. I cannot see any damage to my board and my pc works fine. Windows 10 is now installed and everything runs fine but I'm really worried about having dropped the screws on the circuit a few times.

 

[USAFRet]

So I got my bundle this morning and while screwing the motherboard to the casing I dropped the screw on the board a couple of times because they are small and hard to put in place before using the screwdriver on them. I cannot see any damage to my board and my pc works fine. Windows 10 is now installed and everything runs fine but I'm really worried about having dropped the screws on the circuit a few times.

Just dropping a screw onto the motherboard is highly unlikely to damage anything.
If it were, 1/2 the PC's in existence would be toast. Some of mine included.

 

[semichaud1]

So I got my bundle this morning and while screwing the motherboard to the casing I dropped the screw on the board a couple of times because they are small and hard to put in place before using the screwdriver on them. I cannot see any damage to my board and my pc works fine. Windows 10 is now installed and everything runs fine but I'm really worried about having dropped the screws on the circuit a few times.

Just dropping a screw onto the motherboard is highly unlikely to damage anything.
If it were, 1/2 the PC's in existence would be toast. Some of mine included.

Ok. That and the fact that my pc is running fine is starting to put my mind at ease. Can't keep those scews straight before using the screwdriver. Anyway, worse case I can always save up and by the same motherboard.

 

[semichaud1]

So I got my bundle this morning and while screwing the motherboard to the casing I dropped the screw on the board a couple of times because they are small and hard to put in place before using the screwdriver on them. I cannot see any damage to my board and my pc works fine. Windows 10 is now installed and everything runs fine but I'm really worried about having dropped the screws on the circuit a few times.

Just dropping a screw onto the motherboard is highly unlikely to damage anything.
If it were, 1/2 the PC's in existence would be toast. Some of mine included.

Can I ask another question regarding using SSD and HDD?

Given that I have the OS and boot from the SSD, can I install games on the HDD and play them without more lag than if I had the OS on the HDD? I'm thinking about this because there are games that require 50 to 80 GB. I did some research online and yes I can install games on a different drive than the one the OS is on, but I'm concerned about lag or stutter in games.

 

[USAFRet]

Can I ask another question regarding using SSD and HDD?

Given that I have the OS and boot from the SSD, can I install games on the HDD and play them without more lag than if I had the OS on the HDD? I'm thinking about this because there are games that require 50 to 80 GB. I did some research online and yes I can install games on a different drive than the one the OS is on, but I'm concerned about lag or stutter in games.

You can absolutely install games on the HDD. As well as other things.
The level load times will be a bit slower, simply because they are on the spinning drive. Other than that, should be no difference.

For Steam games:
Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

For other things:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

 

[semichaud1]

Can I ask another question regarding using SSD and HDD?

Given that I have the OS and boot from the SSD, can I install games on the HDD and play them without more lag than if I had the OS on the HDD? I'm thinking about this because there are games that require 50 to 80 GB. I did some research online and yes I can install games on a different drive than the one the OS is on, but I'm concerned about lag or stutter in games.

You can absolutely install games on the HDD. As well as other things.
The level load times will be a bit slower, simply because they are on the spinning drive. Other than that, should be no difference.

For Steam games:
Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

For other things:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

Great! Thank you! Going to wipe that hdd clean now and use it as storage and for large games.