New hardware - Reformat HD?

[RTFMish]

Hello, I am getting new hardware soon, and was wondering if I should just reformat my Hard-Drive when I get this hardware.

AMD Athlon 2500+
ATi Radeon 9800
512mb PC 2700
Biostar - M7NCD - nForce2 chipset
400 Watt powersupply

Would it just make sence to reformat when I get this new hardware? I reformat alot and don't really mind it. But I just want my system to perform the best it can.
I am getting the processor, ram, powersuply, mobo, and case in about a week.. Don't get the video card till about a month after that tho.

 

[B_MAN]

starting with a clean slate is always good
especially when upgrading video cards
i highly recommend it if you're switching from nvidia to ati

 

[Shuzer]

If you're running Windows XP, you'll be forced to reformat/repair install. XP BSODs and "shuts down your system to prevent damage to your hardware" after it detects a major change in components (namely CPU and motherboard).

Besides, after swapping out major components, it's always a good idea to format.. doing a repair install WOULD get your system running as it was, but you can run into ALOT of issues.

So, to answer your question, yes, you should reformat your HD and do a fresh install of XP.

 

[Xtasy00]

any win NT/win2k/winxp/win2k3 etc will bitch when changing the mobo, so without going through a bunch of trouble you'll be force to do a fresh install of windows.

 

[WhiteBoy]

If you're running Windows XP, you'll be forced to reformat/repair install. XP BSODs and "shuts down your system to prevent damage to your hardware" after it detects a major change in components (namely CPU and motherboard).

Besides, after swapping out major components, it's always a good idea to format.. doing a repair install WOULD get your system running as it was, but you can run into ALOT of issues.

So, to answer your question, yes, you should reformat your HD and do a fresh install of XP.

This guy knows what he is talking about.

I just upgraded my CPU and Motherboard 2 weeks ago, and it kept restarting when it tried to load windows. I did the windows repair, but that only gave me blue screens. In the end I reformated and it run beautifuly

 

[RTFMish]

Yes, and I might as well load with Win2k to get the best

 

[NYHoustonman]

I went from an A7V/Duron 700mhz to an A7V333/1700+ to a 2400+, along with a Voodoo 3 3000 to a GeForce 3 Mx420 to a Ti4400 to a 9800 pro, without once reformatting (well, I did once, but that was due to something completely unrelated). I suppose it would be a good idea to reformat anyway, just reporting my experience (this is with Windows XP Home, btw).

 

[Direwolf]

Actually, Windows XP fortunately doesn't always catch hardware changes, espcecially if its between similar components. Was able to switch my processor and mobo the other day without it being none the wiser.