Upgrading and have a Windows question

[scubasteve526]

Hello, I'm buying a new motherboard and cpu soon and I know I will not be able to connect my HDD with windows installed and be able to run it fine. I'm upgrading my OEM HP computer. I'm replacing the motherboard and cpu it came with. My question is, if I format the HDD that it came with, will it uninstall the OEM version of windows 7 so I can do a clean install with my new windows 7 CD im buying? Or will the OEM version of windows still linger on the HDD? I wan't to use the same HDD it came with because it's actually very good and would save me money so I don't have to buy anew HDD.

 

[COLGeek]

If you perform a clean install and format the HDD, the old OEM version will be completely gone. Not a problem.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

If you do a clean install it will wipe out the oem install because you will format before the new 7 install.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

To install Windows 7 using the Custom option and formatting the hard disk

To format your hard disk during Windows 7 installation, you'll need to start, or boot, your computer using the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.

Turn on your computer so that Windows starts normally, insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive, and then shut down your computer.

Restart your computer.

Press any key when prompted, and then follow the instructions that appear.

On the Install Windows page, enter your language and other preferences, and then click Next.

If the Install Windows page doesn't appear, and you're not asked to press any key, you might need to change some system settings. To learn how to do this, see Start your computer from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.

On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.

On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.

On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, click Drive options (advanced).

Click the partition that you want to change, click the formatting option you want to perform, and then follow the instructions.

When you've finished formatting, click Next.

Follow the instructions to finish installing Windows 7, which include naming your computer and setting up an initial user account.

 

[mattyg_nz]

A format literally removes all data from the HDD - windows and all. It will be like a new drive (with previous partitions however) when you go to install your new Windows.

When you insert/use your Windows 7 install disc, it will prompt you to partition/setup you HDD eventually. Here is where you will run into unexpected issues as the OEM drives usually have additional partitions for hidden backup/restore functions which you won't require after the non-OEM Windows is installed.

 

[scubasteve526]

To install Windows 7 using the Custom option and formatting the hard disk

To format your hard disk during Windows 7 installation, you'll need to start, or boot, your computer using the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.

Turn on your computer so that Windows starts normally, insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive, and then shut down your computer.

Restart your computer.

Press any key when prompted, and then follow the instructions that appear.

On the Install Windows page, enter your language and other preferences, and then click Next.

If the Install Windows page doesn't appear, and you're not asked to press any key, you might need to change some system settings. To learn how to do this, see Start your computer from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.

On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.

On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.

On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, click Drive options (advanced).

Click the partition that you want to change, click the formatting option you want to perform, and then follow the instructions.

When you've finished formatting, click Next.

Follow the instructions to finish installing Windows 7, which include naming your computer and setting up an initial user account.

Ok I see. So I'm confused on the partition part. I have to pick the opne I want to change? I'm sorry but I have no clue what that is.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mME9VLT7-xw

Watch this video ^

 

[scubasteve526]

Ok wow that seems pretty simple thank you. I guess the only thing I'll need to do is let windows do its auto updates and then re download my video drivers and others etc... correct?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Yes come back to us if you need help!

 

[scubasteve526]

Oh one more quick question. I was looking to buy Windows 7 on newegg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986 But I'm not sure. This is the cheapest version but it says OEM. Is that going to be a problem for me, when I'm re installing windows on the same HDD just a new Mobo?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Perfect choice.It will be exclusive to your new motherboard!

 

[wifiwolf]

Oh one more quick question. I was looking to buy Windows 7 on newegg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986 But I'm not sure. This is the cheapest version but it says OEM. Is that going to be a problem for me, when I'm re installing windows on the same HDD just a new Mobo?

Do not buy OEM if you know you'll probably upgrade motherboard again.
OEM license is bound to the mobo. Pick retail license

 

[scubasteve526]

Do not buy OEM if you know you'll probably upgrade motherboard again.
OEM license is bound to the mobo. Pick retail license

Ok I see Tysm!

 

[scubasteve526]

Best answer selected by ScubaSteve526.

 

[scubasteve526]

Yes come back to us if you need help!

Yea I love Tom's! Everyone here is so helpful and very friendly and It's helped me a lot in upgrading my PC for gaming. Ty and Thanks to everyone who replied.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Thanks and like i stated if you need more help come back and visit!

 

[scubasteve526]

Perfect choice.It will be exclusive to your new motherboard!

Yea I think the OEM one will work. I don't plan on upgrading my Mobo after this new one. I mean the new one is really new with the PCI-e 3.0 😀 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130622 is the one I'm looking at.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Sweet! keep us posted on your progress with the new install!

 

[scubasteve526]

Sweet! keep us posted on your progress with the new install!

I will indeed =)

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Please keep thread open.

 

[scubasteve526]

Please keep thread open.

Okay. How do you keep it open?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I was telling my fellow mods to leave it open.

 

[scubasteve526]

Oh I see, okay thanks!

 

[scubasteve526]

Ok I have another question regarding installing windows on my HDD with my new mobo. Ok so I'm going to be formatting my current HDD(which I hope wipes it clean) to do a windows install for my new mobo. My question is, should I format the drive before I connect to my new mobo or should I just connect it to my new mobo boot up from the windows 7 CD and format/install from there? If I should wipe it clean before I connect it and install how would I do that. I know I can format in windows but I don't think I can format the drive currently in use lol or can you? Also I've read you have to format it 7 times to wipe it clean? I'm just super confused. I want to have no issues with this. The HDD currently has a backup partition on it from HP called D drive. I don't care about it. I have what I want stored on an external HDD that I will connect via usb and xfer the data. will that HP partition cause problems as well?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Should I just connect it to my new mobo boot up from the windows 7 CD and format/install from there?Yes!