Simple questions about Reformatting

Krynn72

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I just got my upgrade parts, so now its reformat time. I have a 300 gig hard drive, with 3 partitions. Ive reformatted before, but not on a drive with multiple partitions. If I reformat, say C: drive, will it reformat the other partitions (E: and D: ) also? Or do I have to do something different?

Also, I may have hit my limit on Windows XP installations (its 5 times right?). I dont know if it makes any difference, but does XP Pro get more installations since its for the "professional"? I hope :naughty: . Also, since my bro will be upgrading his computer (with my old parts lol), he will need to format and install windows... so I definately need a workaround... or is that ok with XP Pro?

Thanks mates!
 
You should just be able to delete/format the partition C when you go to install windows... or just install windows over the C partition and it will format it for you.

And you can use the key 5 times... i need to get a new key from work/college, i used all mine up :(
 
Ren.182 said:
You should just be able to delete/format the partition C when you go to install windows... or just install windows over the C partition and it will format it for you.

But if I just install windows, I have to do it with this hardware that im using, since it wont work when I replace the mobo and cpu. Right?
 
There's a limit to how many times you can install XP on the same computer? :| I never knew that... I've installed XP 3 times on this machine, so if I do it 2 more times I'll have to buy another copy of the OS? :o

Swapping out the mobo and CPU could cause problems, but apparently it can work without re-installing the OS. I did it once myself, but that was ages ago on Windows 98.
 
You'll need to phone up Microsoft and ask for a new key. Kinda sucks how you can't format :( they should tie the OS CD-Key to the processor ID... seeing as how processor ID's are unique.
 
What?? I've reformatted my pc around thirteen times now and never had a problem activating the key. By the way it is a legal version i'm using because i bought it in the store.


:cheers:
 
ok, ill call em up then. But lets just say I wanna reformat the whole drive. I have all my files and what not on some dvds, so I want to just wipe the whole thing clean. Factory condition clean, with no partitions or anything. Then I will redo my partitions to make more sense than they are in now.

Oh and Homie... what version of xp do you have? Home or Pro? Maybe with pro you do get more activations.
 
Get parition magic, that will erase/ create new partitions.
 
Cool. ill check that out. How about my last question though? What version of xp do you have?

Edit: Holy crap... partition magic is 70 bucks. I just spent like 600 bucks on my new stuff, im too broke to buy something $70 that i will only use a few times.
 
Windows XP Home Edition. I bought it in 2002 or 2003.
 
I googled partition magic and found a site that listed a bunch of stuff. So what if I use this?

Will that erase the partitions too?
 
Lol, looks like a program where it will erase all your data so the fbi or something can't trace any illegal files stored on your hard drive. Like i said get partition magic. I also got some floppy disk called F disk where it actually will delete partitions, but i don't know how to make a f disk.
 
Partition magic is waaay to expensive. I used Fdisk before though, I didnt know if it could delete partitions or not though.
 
You can reformat your PC as many times as you'd like.

What happens is Win XP checks a few hardware parts to make sure it's installing itself on the same machine which it was originally activated on.

Now if you upgrade or change out the hardware which it checks then it wonders if it's someones elses machine. I think you have 3 times before you have to call to reset it.
 
I did just build a new pc, and installed xp on it twice now.
 
Asus said:
You can reformat your PC as many times as you'd like.

What happens is Win XP checks a few hardware parts to make sure it's installing itself on the same machine which it was originally activated on.

Now if you upgrade or change out the hardware which it checks then it wonders if it's someones elses machine. I think you have 3 times before you have to call to reset it.

I hope they don't check graphics cards... I need to format again after a bad setup last time >_<
 
Asus said:
You can reformat your PC as many times as you'd like.

What happens is Win XP checks a few hardware parts to make sure it's installing itself on the same machine which it was originally activated on.

Now if you upgrade or change out the hardware which it checks then it wonders if it's someones elses machine. I think you have 3 times before you have to call to reset it.

Hmm, then I probably will be able to do it, and my bro will have to call in haha.

And I just found a windows utility that lets me delete partitions. DiskPart in Dos. Will that work instead of downloading a program? I have no floppy drive so I cant use fdisk lol.
 
I just realized something! Can't you delete/ create partitions in windows install? :laugh:
 
I think thats how I did it before, It was too long ago for me to remember though hehe.

But if I did that would I have to install my new hardware and boot from the WinXP CD? Or would the new motherboard mess up the computer's start up even before that. Wouldnt it be looking for my current hardware, and then not know that its been changed?
 
Yeah, insert the cd disk while pc boots up and follow the menu. When going through menu it will ask to delete partitons,format, or create partitions.
 
ok.... here i goooo!!!! *takes deep breath*

If you never see me again, you know what happened. :P
 
Ok. I'm going to go ahead and add this thread to my favorites. Look to see your post sometime tomorrow.

:cheers:
 
Windows XP may be installed on one PC. There are no secondary use rights (e.g. no "laptop clause") in the Windows XP EULA. The aforementioned licensing terms have not been changed due to Product Activation. Some special licensing programs (such as the Microsoft Developer Network) provide additional licensing terms. Please check your specific license agreement or EULA for specifics. Re-installation and re-activation on the same PC can be done an unlimited number of times.

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx
 
Sweet. As long as they don't use the graphics card to check its the same system then i should be ok. Maybe they DO use the CPU ID and tie the CD key to it.
 
An hour ago i called tgem and said i'd upgraded my comp and had to reactivarte windows, he asked what i had changed and i said "CPU, mobo, RAM and GFX card" and he said "ok then here's the number you have enter"

SCORE:cool:

new rig is up and ass kicking:D
 
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