Old HDD, new PC

[equitem]

I am building a new gaming computer, the first one that I will build for myself (although I have built a few computers for my work before) and wanted to save money by scavenging for parts. The only really scavengable part is the hard drive. I assume you can transfer it over (I am installing a new OS) but, since all the hardware and OS if new, would I have to reformat the hard drive before I install it?

If I do need to reformat my hard drive, how would I go about doing so?

Thanks,
Equitem
(noun) - Latin, first person of equit?, meaning horseman or rider.

 

[rolli59]

When you install windows the install will give you the option of formatting the drive so really simple.

 

[megamanx00]

You should be able to re-use the hard drive so long as it's a SATA drive. You will need to re-format it, but you can just do a quick format. You don't have to do full format unless there are corrupted or bad sectors.

 

[khaz]

Don't do it.

Buy an SSD to hold the OS and use the scavenged HDD for storage. Sure that's probably an extra $100, but if you're building a gaming computer SSD is the only way to go. Plus you don't really want to go through the OS install again, do you? So wait until you have enough dough to include the SSD, or economize elsewhere.

 

[jsmithepa]

On the first screen during installation, there is option to partition and format. Already forgot what you did at work?