Is a format required when new mobo is installed?

[Szymon Zmudzki]

So pretty much i bought a new cpu and mobo, installed them with all my other previous stuff and my pc bluescreens at win7 launch, i was told it is because i need to reinstall windows 7 since it's on a different chipset (or something like that) my question is do i have to format the disk or can i simply install windows 7 on it again; i have some very important stuff on there i cannot delete.

 

[USAFRet]

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
It is always required to be prepared in case you have to.

And if the data is that important, you need a backup of it anyway.

 

[Szymon Zmudzki]

Is there like an external device that i can plug into my hard-drive and access the contents?

 

[Spath87]

Can you rebuild to the old specs in order to access the HDD? If so, then back up your data to an external HDD, format the HDD you are going to use for the OS, rebuild with the new mobo and cpu, and do a clean install of the OS on the HDD. Once this is all done you can transfer all your data back over and re-install any applications that you need.

 

[jimpz]

You do need to install win 7 again, You should (will need to ) back up your data before this. You will need to reinstall your programs again.
A new chipset & necessary drivers are causing the bsod. Installing Win7 *may* put everything in a 'windowsold' folder, but I wouldn't bet my data on that.

 

[Szymon Zmudzki]

What about if i install the os on a brand new ssd, and use the hdd as a slave will it not recognise the drive or something?

Edit: If the hdd is now a slave i should be able to access the contents since the filesystem is still the same correct?

 

[mamasan2000]

As long as you are not touching the HDD, that will work. Install OS on SSD.

 

[George Mulligan]

What about if i install the os on a brand new ssd, and use the hdd as a slave will it not recognise the drive or something?

Edit: If the hdd is now a slave i should be able to access the contents since the filesystem is still the same correct?

Correct. But it's not a "slave" drive- you're showing your age 😉 Rather, it's just a non OS drive.

When you plug the new SSD in and load the OS, the secondary drive (your old HDD) should be unplugged from the system. Once the OS is loaded, plug the HDD back in, and you'll have access to all the data (including the now moot Windows files, which can be deleted). Also note that you'll need to re-install programs as well, not just the OS.

 

[Szymon Zmudzki]

I don't mind showing my age as long as i stand corrected. You live, you learn. Thanks everyone!